What this guide covers
- Easy-to-miss items that cannot be carried on board
- Items that can be carried on board if they meet conditions
Even if these items cannot be carried on board, they can go in checked baggage (except lighters shaped like a Swiss army knife or a shuriken).
1. Everyday small items
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Cigar cutters (scissor type) | Not allowed (allowed if not pointed and the blade is 6cm or less) | Allowed |
| Cigar cutters (guillotine type) | Not allowed (those whose blades cannot be separated from the body are allowed) | Allowed |
| Smoking pipe cleaners | Not allowed (the "carbon cutter" for scraping tar is harder and stronger than a razor) | Allowed |
| Tweezers | Not allowed (those with round tips and not much strength are allowed) | Allowed |
| Nail clippers | Allowed (those with a small cuticle knife are not allowed) | Allowed |
| Items shaped like a Swiss army knife or a shuriken (USB memory sticks, etc.) | Not allowed (because of the shape) | Allowed (lighters are not allowed) |
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
2. Souvenirs and ornaments
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Okinawa ornamental hairpins (jiifaa) | Not allowed (wooden or plastic ones judged not to be weapons are allowed) | Allowed |
| Samurai umbrellas (umbrellas with the handle of a samurai sword) | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Shuriken, shuriken-style key chains | Not allowed (obvious toys made of wood, plastic, etc. are allowed) | Allowed |
For wooden swords, hanging scrolls and more, see also Souvenirs.
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
3. Kitchen items and tools
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Oyster knives | Not allowed (because of the shape) | Allowed |
| Skewers, tongs (fire tongs) | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Stainless steel spatulas (scrapers) | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Seatbelt cutters | Not allowed (those whose blades cannot be separated from the body are allowed) | Allowed |
| Drill bits | Not allowed (because they could be used in combination with other items) | Allowed |
| Wood carving chisels, chisels | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Scalpels | Not allowed (including those for medical use such as surgery, ophthalmology and dentistry) | 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.