What this guide covers
- Items that can be carried on board if they meet a length condition (6cm, 15cm, 60cm, etc.)
Even if these items cannot be carried on board because of their length, they can go in checked baggage. Conditions other than length are shown in the tables.
1. The 6cm guide
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Scissors | Allowed if not pointed and the blade (from tip to fulcrum) is 6cm or less | Allowed |
| Nails | Allowed if 6cm or less | Allowed |
| Screwdrivers | Allowed if 15cm or less in total and the shaft is 6cm or less | Allowed |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
2. The 15cm guide
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Spanners, wrenches, crowbars | Allowed if 15cm or less | Allowed |
| Mallets | Allowed if 15cm or less | Allowed |
| Stick files | Allowed if 15cm or less | Allowed |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
3. The 60cm guide
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Walking sticks | Allowed if 60cm or less. Those used by physically handicapped people themselves are allowed even if over 60cm | Allowed |
| Trekking poles, ski poles | Allowed if 60cm or less when folded and not fitted with a sharp metal tip. Poles used as walking sticks by physically handicapped people, without a sharp metal tip, are allowed even if over 60cm | Allowed |
| Tripods, monopods | Allowed if 60cm or less when folded | Allowed |
| Fishing rods, fishing and insect collecting nets | Allowed if 60cm or less when folded. Wooden or plastic ones judged not to be weapons are allowed | Allowed |
| Massage sticks, rolling pins (including pestles), beach parasols | Allowed if 60cm or less | Allowed |
| Flagpoles | Allowed if 60cm or less (not allowed if the tip is sharp). Plastic ones without a sharp tip are allowed even if over 60cm | Allowed |
| Batons | Not allowed (relay or baton twirling batons of 60cm or less are allowed) | Allowed |
| Skis, snowboards | Not allowed (short skis of 60cm or less are allowed) | Allowed |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
Walking sticks: the English version of MLIT's document lists canes as allowed on board without the 60cm condition, but the Japanese version sets the 60cm condition. This site follows the Japanese version: MLIT's list (Japanese version).
4. Other lengths
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Hanging scrolls, tapestries | Allowed if the rod is 65cm or less. Plastic rods are allowed even if over 65cm | Allowed |
| Storage cases for posters, hanging scrolls, etc. | Allowed if 70cm or less. Those made of paper, plastic, etc. that are judged not to be weapons are allowed even if over 70cm | Allowed |
| Fish hooks (for blue marlin) | Not allowed (allowed if 10cm or less from the bottom of the U to the eye, unless judged to be a possible weapon) | Allowed |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
According to MLIT, even an item listed as allowed may not be carried on board if the airline or security inspector determines that it can be used as a weapon due to its material, strength, shape, etc. Replicas and similar items of restricted items are also restricted.
Some airlines have stricter rules. On international flights, rules of other countries' authorities may also apply.