As Japan’s diplomatic representation in Switzerland, the Embassy of Japan in Bern handles political, economic and consular relations.
Contact Details
| Address | Engestrasse 53, 3012 Bern, Switzerland |
| Telephone | +41 31 300 22 22 |
| eojs@br.mofa.go.jp | |
| Website | www.ch.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_de/index.html |
| Social Media | |
| Head of Mission | Iijima Toshiro, Ambassador |
| Consular district | Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Neuchâtel and Jura |
Consular Section
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00 - 12:30 / 13:45 - 17:15 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 12:30 / 13:45 - 17:15 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 12:30 / 13:45 - 17:15 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 12:30 / 13:45 - 17:15 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 12:30 / 13:45 - 17:15 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may differ on public holidays. Please confirm before your visit.
Location of the Embassy
Before your visit
- Checklist: identity document, completed forms, originals plus one copy of each supporting document.
About the Japanese Embassy in Bern
Iijima Toshiro has served as Japanese ambassador to Switzerland since January 2026. 12 diplomats and attachés are registered with the FDFA for this embassy. The consular section covers Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Neuchâtel and Jura.
Which Japanese office is responsible for me?
| Office | Area covered |
|---|---|
| Embassy (consular section), Bern (this page) | Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Neuchâtel and Jura |
| Consulate, Geneva | Ticino, Vaud, Valais and Geneva |
Documents checklist
Prepare these documents before your appointment. The lists are taken from official Japanese sources:
Japanese passport (new or renewal, abroad)
- Passport application form, filled in and signed (the embassy or consulate can provide it)
- One photo taken within the last six months, 35 × 45 mm
- Your current or expired passport
- Koseki Tohon (family register certificate) issued within six months – needed for a new passport, an expired passport or after a change of name or registered domicile
- Proof of your residence status and address in Switzerland (e.g. residence card)
- Collection in person; applicants under 18 receive a 5-year passport with a parent’s consent
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan – passport application procedure and required documents, Embassy of Japan – Japanese passport (checked October 2026). Requirements and fees can change and individual posts may ask for more – confirm the current list with the embassy before your visit.
Entry rules for Swiss citizens travelling to Japan
For Swiss citizens, the FDFA refers questions about entry rules, accepted travel documents and visas for Japan to this embassy. Japan is not subject to an FDFA travel warning at present. See the FDFA travel advice.
Other consulates and embassies in Bern
93 other countries are represented in Bern, among them: Jordan (embassy), Kazakhstan (embassy), Kenya (embassy), Kosovo (embassy), Kuwait (embassy), Lebanon (embassy), Libya (embassy), Liechtenstein (embassy), Lithuania (embassy), Luxembourg (embassy), Malaysia (embassy), Mexico (embassy), Monaco (embassy), Monaco (honorary), Montenegro (embassy), Morocco (embassy), Netherlands (embassy), Nigeria (embassy), North Korea (embassy), South Korea (embassy). The full list of all 94 missions is on the overview page for Switzerland.
Closing days
The embassy is closed on Swiss public holidays and on the Japanese national holiday (23 February). Religious holidays observed in Japan may lead to further closures.
Emergency assistance
For Swiss travellers in Japan, the contacts are the Swiss Embassy in Tokyo (+81 3 5449 8400) and the FDFA Helpline (+41 58 465 33 33, around the clock).
Diplomatic missions between Japan and Switzerland
Japan in Switzerland
- Bern – Embassy of Japan (this page)
- Geneva – Consulate (Ticino, Vaud, Valais and Geneva)
- Zurich – Honorary Consulate General (Zurich)
Switzerland in Japan
- Tokyo – Swiss Embassy
- Fukuoka – Swiss Honorary Consulate
- Higashikawa – Swiss Honorary Consulate
- Osaka – Swiss Consulate
Frequently asked questions about the Embassy of Japan in Bern
What does the Swiss travel advice say about Japan?
There is no general FDFA travel warning for Japan; check the current travel advice before you go.
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Details checked on 8 October 2026. Sources: Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) – list of the diplomatic and consular corps in Switzerland, FDFA travel advice for Japan, www.ch.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_de/index.html. Rules and opening hours can change. Confirm with the embassy before your visit.
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