The items here can go in checked baggage even if they cannot be carried on board. However, MLIT notes that laws such as the Act for Controlling the Possession of Firearms or Swords and Other Such Weapons may prohibit you from possessing certain items at all.
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Guns, air guns, BB guns, starter pistols | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Toy guns (plastic, for infants) | Not allowed (allowed if obviously not dangerous considering the strength of the material and the shape) | Allowed |
| Parts of guns | Not allowed (because several people could bring parts separately and assemble them on board) | Allowed |
| Slingshots | Not allowed (those that obviously look like toys are allowed) | Allowed |
| Bows and arrows, bow guns | Not allowed | Allowed |
Source
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Swords (Japanese, Chinese, Western swords, etc.) | Not allowed (plastic toys that cannot be used as weapons are allowed) | Allowed |
| Wooden swords, bamboo swords | Not allowed | Allowed |
For souvenirs such as wooden and bamboo swords, see also Souvenirs.
Source
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Stun guns | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Nightsticks, nunchaku, brass knuckles | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Short metal truncheons (jitte) | Not allowed (those that obviously look like toys and cannot be used as weapons are allowed) | Allowed |
| Handcuffs | Not allowed | Allowed |
Bear spray and tear gas spray can be neither carried on board nor checked (see Spray cans).
Source
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.