so ive been planning this trip to japan for like 6 months and only just started looking into the drone rules there and honestly im kind of freaking out a bit. from what i can tell you need to register your drone before you even get there, like online registration through their DIPS system or something? and then theres whole zones around tokyo that are basically no fly unless you get special permission which sounds like a nightmare to get as a tourist.

anyone actually done this recently? flying a mini 3 pro if that matters. just want some temple shots and maybe some countryside stuff if i can find open areas away from the city. not trying to do anything crazy just some nice travel footage.

did japan last spring, the registration thing is real and honestly not that bad once you sit down and do it. took me maybe an hour to get through the DIPS2 system and get my number. just do it a few weeks before you go so youre not scrambling. the bigger issue is finding spots that are actually legal to fly because so much of the country is either category 1 airspace or just has signs posted saying no drones. i ended up doing most of my flying in rural areas near niigata and it was incredible, basically had the rice fields to myself. tokyo forget it, not worth the stress.

cant help with japan specifically but i went to iceland last year with basically zero prep on the rules and got turned away from two locations by rangers. do the research beforehand, its way less fun sorting it out when youre standing there with your bag packed ready to fly lol