Taking a nihonto to Japan from Australia

[jezah81]

Hi lads,

Would anyone know the exact process about taking a nihonto into Japan from Australia and how i would bring it back to Australia? I dont speak Japanese but i have my laminated licence with the sword. Any thoughts...???

Kind Regards,

[meekrat]

Unless you have the original papers and proof of purchase and ownership of the sword don't bother...

[renfield_kuroda]

The sword license (registration) never should have left Japan in the first place -- to legally export the sword it must be unregistered first. So having the registration would probably do more harm than good, as it would stand as evidence that you illegally exporting the sword in the first place.
The process for importing an unregistered sword is complicated (many steps) but straightforward. However, without any Japanese language skills, it's basically impossible.
Don't bother; at best it will get confiscated, at worst you'll get arrested and then deported.

Regards,

r e n