If you are a resident of Japan with an alien registration card, you can use that, but if you are not you do need to have your passport as hotels are legally required to copy the passports of non-residents.

Japanese law only says those who who do not have a Japanese address, hotels are to record passport information.

If you have a Japanese address then you do not have to show your passport.

The problem is some hotels don't seem to understand the law very well and request all foreigners show a passport. By stating you are a resident of Japan and writing in your Japanese address at check in should be enough.

Here's the law in Japanese if you wish to print out a copy with you:

www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/2005/03/tp0317-1.html

(If you can't read Japanese, the main part first in the color red under part 2, which states only foreigners who DO NOT have a Japanese address are to have their passport information recorded)

If they ask and if you want to, you can show them your Alien Reregistration Card or Resident Card (which you are supposed to carry with you in case you don't have your passport on you), but that's up to your discretion (showing it to the hotel that is). The hotel cannot legally compel you to show your Alien Registration Card/Resident Card if you already have a Japanese address.

This "law" was created to "combat terrorism" (and communicable diseases) but is merely about control, as usual. Since you live in Okinawa you have a Japanese address and do not need to show it.

Thank you for all of your response

I don't know about you but if I was a not a Japanese citizen or did not have my proof of Alien Registration status with me (which you should have as you are living in Japan -unless you exist under some kind of special military status...) then I would carry my passport at all times for my own well being & security - you need to be able to prove who you are & that you are legally in the country. It's not unheard of to be stopped by the police & be asked to show evidence of identity.

What good is a US drivers licence in Japan? It doesn't mean anything to anyone outside of the USA - not meaning to be disrespectful but you need to be able to show your valid entitlement to be in Japan.

Most hotels will ask for a passport for a foreigner, some staff don't know the law as it applies for foreign residents (temp or permanent) & will demand a passport & make a big fuss & will not allow you to check-in, others simply don't care. You may want to stand up for your rights, see what they say - (it's an interesting process to experience) they'll probably call the police & you can take it from there...

Basically, YES!

Basically, it depends on if you have a Japanese address or not.

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