Do Japan passport holders need a visa to visit SE?

No visa needed. Japanese ordinary passport holders can visit Sweden visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as part of the Schengen short-stay rule. Sweden is a member of the Schengen Area, and Japan is on the EU's list of visa-exempt nationalities. As of 30 May 2026, a Japanese citizen holding an ordinary passport may enter Sweden for tourism without a visa and stay up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period (the combined total across all Schengen countries, not Sweden alone). No advance authorization is currently required: ETIAS — the EU's travel authorization for visa-exempt nationals — is not yet operational and is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026, after which Japanese travelers will need an approved ETIAS (EUR 20, valid up to 3 years). The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began phased rollout in October 2025 and is fully applied from April 2026, meaning travelers now register biometrics at the border instead of getting a passport stamp. At the border, Swedish authorities may ask to see a return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds for the stay. The passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date and issued within the previous 10 years.