Japan has seasonal attractions in fall and winter. Visit Japan Web App also let me pre fill out for immigration and customs, and just use the QR codes for those as well. If you want help planning a trip to Japan, visit my consulting page to book a Zoom consultation. Life in the country is normal, everything is open, but there are only a tiny proportion of international visitors, especially without tourists from neighbouring China. We also create tailormade trips. What are testing, face mask, and vaccine requirements for visitors? The U.S. Embassy strongly urges any U.S. citizens considering travel to Japan to carefully review the information available from the Government of Japan. Here is a useful link for the latest coronavirus numbers on Japan: Disclosure: InsideKyoto.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.co.uk. As improbable as it mightve seemed even a week ago, Japan welcoming back international visitors who are not part of tours (guided or unguided) sometime before November is likely. Thanks again for all the work you put into this. We typically spend a couple of months in Japan each year, and are ecstatic to be returning after nearly 3 years away. Japan open for tourism After almost two and a half years of strict Covid-19 protocol and restrictions, this is a major shift in policy. 28-year-old woman picked to be astronaut by Japans space agency, J. Here's a quick breakdown of the details: Only tourists on packaged tours are allowed from June 10 Entry limit updated from 10,000 to 20,000 people per day From the beginning this page was the only place I checked (sometimes daily) for hope. UPDATE: The Japanese government announced on May 26, 2022, that Japan will reopen for tourists visiting on packaged tours starting June 10, 2022. Few countries around the world have been so cautious about reopening their borders to tourism after the cataclysmic shutdowns of 2020. Think those will stick around for several months, or are simply theater to shift public opinion? By contrast,Fuji TV is treating this as a done deal, using less ambiguous language. TOKYO . This was a great place to keep up to date on the happenings. Mount Fuji: One of Japan's three sacred mountains. As governor of Tokyo, that would be tomorrow.. Here are all the details on visa-free travel, vaccination and Covid test requirements. At that time, it was unclear whether unguided tourists would be allowed to enter. Japan's tourism industry is still waiting for the country's borders to fully reopen [File: Kentaro Takahashi/Bloomberg] (Bloomberg) When Japan implemented a blanket ban on inbound tourists in. It was challenging, convoluted and at times frustrating. Some 68% of Singaporeans aged 16 to 24 years old indicated they are considering Japan for their "next vacation," compared to 37% of those aged 55 and older, according to research published in. japan, . var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; Lets see where THIS goes. Are you concerned that Japan wont reopen until 2023, or think October is still realistic? If there are no screens, you may be expected to practice social distancing by sitting a table or two away from other customers. There are thousands of hotels and other tourist-oriented industries in the city. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TRAVEL, TRIPS & OFFERS TO JAPAN: The perfect itinerary for first-time visitors to Japan: cities, countryside, hot springs, great food, history and culture. Lets have a look at the measures that are still in place, despite the reopening of borders. Visit our main site to read more about this topic or contact one of our specialists. Given that Japan is now open, its time to start planning a trip. With the yen weak, tourism has the potential to . Hi Tom and THANK YOU for everything this platform had AND still has to offer! Impediments to international travel to Japan also come from measures imposed by the tourists' own countries. Even before the pandemic, many locals preferred to travel within the country, with domestic tourism totaling $21.9 trillion yen ($167 billion) in 2019, according to government-backed Japan Tourism . even if theyre off for a jog or on a bicycle. Kyoto in cherry blossom season: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com. Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. 2022 . Table of contents. Single entry visa and multiple entry visa issued by Embassies, Consulate-Generals, and Consulates of Japan in all countries/regions whose validity had been temporary suspended resumed on October 11, 2022. Among fellow G7 countries, Japan has had some of the strictest rules it comes to border restrictions. The short version is that it is possible to enter, regardless of whether youre vaccinated or unvaccinated, albeit with a testing requirement for the latter. First, theres already the realization that unguided tourslike guided tours before themwill not move the needle on inbound tourism in any meaningful way. Dont get us wrong, we love Japan (enough to dedicate 22 years of our lives to the place), and part of loving Japan is marveling at how delightfully confusing it can be at times. On September 22, 2022, however, Prime Minister Kishida finally revealed that these restrictions would be scrapped. Read on to find out about the current atmosphere in the country. Can you really see Japan's best bits on a budget? . . But from 11 Oct 2022, travellers are free to explore Japan independently . All of this in the hope for some clarity as to when the country will fully reopen and Japan will begin allowing international tourists to enter once again. Regardless, its good to have this removed as it eliminates an element of uncertainty and could have been an issue during peak travel times for the Japanese. Government advice is for masks to be worn on public transport and some indoor venues but, contrary to what one might expect, there has never been a mask mandate in the country. Gradual speeding-up of the reopening. Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. From October 11, 2022, almost all restrictions are to be lifted. However, if you are not vaccinated and boosted, you will need to have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of boarding your flight to Japan. Several recent updates have centered around Japans internal debate over whether tostrip COVID-19 of its special status and downgrade it to the same level as the flu in Japans infectious disease categories. Thats the sharpest fall on record according to the Japan Tourism Agency. . Just booked my accommodation/flights/insurance/rail pass for a 22 day trip to Hiroshima, Fukui, Kanazawa, Nagoya and Osaka! In fact, you should act fast: the crowds are going to return, but it will take several months before we get back to the jam-packed conditions of 2019. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has offered new guidance that we're covering in Japan Reopening to Individual Tourists: FAQ, Rules & Guidelines. For better or worse, Japan is an insular and culturally conservative countrya characteristic that is often valued by visitors. Here is the lowdown on Japan's relaxed travel rules. The government is planning to submit a bill in October, which could give accommodation operators more authority to impose these types of infection control measures. Thats all we need, more authority (power), given to an already power drunk country, to impose more measures on us tourists. Your email address will not be published. To enjoy our content, please include The Japan Times on your ad-blocker's list of approved sites. Bon voyage! P.s. Published Feb. 18, 2022 Updated Feb. 28, 2022. Except for everyone wearing masks, things seemed mostly back to normal. Among fellow G7 countries, Japan has had some of the strictest rules it comes to border restrictions. Updated overall advisory level after periodic review. Hi Tom, We have all the answers you need about Japans full border opening on 11th October. More likely, the impact wont be fully felt until next years cherry blossom season. As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. Who knowsit still may take until early 2023 to fully downgrade the legal status of COVID. You may still need a negative Covid test within 72 hours of flying to Japan (see details below). Lets say that happens in early November. On June 10 package tours from overseas will start to bring tourists back to the country. Traveling in Japan without constraint as a tourist is possible from October 11, 2022. Decreased tourism plus falling exports, an increased consumption tax, reduced consumer spending, weak yen, and growing national debt. js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/28/412454028.js"; While the stares have eased, and it is okay to take off the mask at the table, make sure to wear it if you need to use the toilet or even to speak to a waiter. February 24th, 2022 at 2:15 PM EST Skift Take Japan is clearly taking steps to prepare for a reopening to foreign tourists not just the gradual border easing that will take place next month.. All others must show such proof. In terms of the latest news, the current vaccine and testing policies are likely to end on May 8, 2023. This includes business travelers on short stays, students in study abroad programs, participants in technical internships, both guided & unguided tour groups, spouses or children (and other relatives) of a Japanese national/permanent resident, others with special exceptional circumstances, and those who would provide a public benefit to Japan. Contents. Japan's struggling tourism sector sees a light at the end of the tunnel as "self-guided" tours make way for full travel. The specifics are not consistent among outlets, so lets start with where theyre in agreeance. I didnt comment here as much as many, but I sure did check this articles comments several times every day for the pastI dont know how long. The Japanese government has been working on a borders reopening schedule since April 27 to help revive the economy. Sep 12, 2022 SHARE The government is planning to allow independent tourists to come to Japan and exempt them from visas if they have been vaccinated three times or submit a pre-arrival test. This will save you significant money on accommodations, attractions, temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants! With the ever-changing rules, it's hard to keep up with which countries are open for study, work, and tourism. oh wow!! Fully independent, visa-free travel to Japan is now possible from October 11, Sort of, hence the confusion! The number has never exceeded 200,000 since the pandemic began. There will be a winter resurgence. To differentiate the two, Ill also allow for a middle ground possibility of a bifurcated decision with the individual tourist reopening a few weeks after the entry cap elimination. I already moved on to read your other Japan travel posts to get tips which are also so helpful! If youre planning a trip to Japan, there are some things you should do now. That theres more upside than downside risk in reopening and encouraging more economic activity. Kihara isnt the only one who has been vocal about fully reopening to tourists recently. That may soon change. Most flights go to Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), but some flights also go to Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto). Its says a lot about Japan is a socially conscious society that so many individuals choose to wear masks even without mandates in place! See my one page guide, Buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at, Compare Japan flight prices and timings to, If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, Japan welcomed 31.9 million . November 2 - International travelers to Japan exceeded 200,000 in September. "We will lift the ceiling of the . To learn more see our FAQ, Rust belt province got old before it got rich, as much of China will. Economic benefits of international tourists is one big reason why Japan is expected to reopen its border. At the time of writing, Japan has been experiencing around 36,000 new cases a day new cases a day. Japan finally reopened its borders to independent foreign travelers and reintroduced visa-free entry from October 11, 2022. Then theres the middle ground or base case. This error message is only visible to WordPress admins, InsideJapan Tours, an award winning travel brand specializing in group tours, tailormade travel and cultural experiences across Japan, Tokaido Trail - the original InsideJapan group tour, DOWNLOAD OUR BRAND NEW 2022/2023 BROCHURE. In many places, customers should browse the menu via a QR code. P.S. And, to top it off, the yen is now at multi-decade lows. Though some things feel different, this nation Ive travelled for the last two months, ing and ing about the forty-seven prefectures as I once did in the 2010s, is certainly the same marvellous place that I fell in love with so long ago. Travelers from most countries can now enter Japan without applying for a visa in advance. Do you or anyone here know if we need this after Oct. 11? In this case, his/her screen will be Yellow, but he/she can use Fast Track.. There is a lot of pent up demand for travel to Japan, so plane tickets and accommodations should be a priority. At the summit, the Japanese company Hotel Management International Company Limited (HMI Group) decided to open hotels in 30 cities including Agra, Ayodhya, and Varanasi.". We have more good news! Japan tops global tourism index for 1st time, despite tight borders. And indeed, there was nothing today, either, or even this year so far because at last the Japan we loved, the Japan that rejected us against sense, science and reason, has finally provided a sensible, responsible option for people like us to enter the country, which was all we ever asked for in the first place. Thanks to everyone in here in the comments for that! This Article is From May 30, 2022. Dj vu! So, it seems the country is finallyon the road to properly welcoming travellers again and thats something that we can all get very excited about. On January 20, Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan will downgrade Covid to the same category as seasonal influenza on May 8. Japan Tourism: The decision means Japan will allow in a limited number of foreign . Thatll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. In addition to masks, divider screens can still be seen in many establishments. 2023 Yosemite Firefall Viewing Guide: Best Dates, Reservations Info & Face Masks in Japan: Rules v. Reality (2023), Please subscribe to our FREE email newsletter, Japan Fall Colors Forecast & Autumn Foliage Viewing Guide, Tokyo Disneyland 40th Anniversary 'Dream-Go-Round' Details, New Parade & Japan Reopening Disney Tourist Blog The KKK News. Its made it slightly more bearable having a community to discuss all the news coming out of Japan especially since group tours first became a reality. Economists fear a double dip recession in Japan due to the prolonged closures and restrictions. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly plans to make a decision as early as the end of this week, according to the news outlets sources. even if theyre off for a jog or on a bicycle. For now, however. The number of people anxiously awaiting Japans reopening is shrinking, not growing. It doesnt matter if you have just squirted it on at the shop next door, one minute ago. Sheesh! If there are no screens, you may be expected to practice social distancing by sitting a table or two away from other customers. Guidelines for tourist attractions are straightforward. This is now the same as the best-case scenario. Quite simply,Japan is inflicting pain on itself by remaining closed. Lets have a look at the measures that are still in place, despite the reopening of borders. Fill in your vaccination status and other details on the Visit Japan Web page to skip the airport queues and facilitate a smooth entry into Japan. Subscribers also receive a totally free copy of ourJapan on a BudgeteBook. For more details, see our Japan Covid vaccination and testing page. Will be heading back again in a couple of weeks. Trying a bit of everything is the best way to get beneath the surface of this fascinating country. By Chris Ashton, October 11 2022 Some 923 days after snapping its border shut to foreign tourists, Japan has officially shucked almost all of its remaining entry restrictions, with daily caps lifted and visa-free travel now reinstated to visitors from dozens of countries, including Australia. Japan is finally open to independent travellers and has now lifted even more border restrictions. On Tuesday, the country. Those reading regular updates on Japans reopening are not representative of international travelers at large. We then take care of all the arrangements, create you a totally bespoke Info Pack detailing every aspect of your trip and offer guidance and support throughout. Either way, thats something to continue keeping in mind. This is good news for travelers like you hoping to travel to . Visa-free, independent travel restarted on October 11. But were over the moon to announce that travel to Japan has now returned to something that looks a lot like the old normal. For these two-plus years, weve been closely monitoring the situation in Japan, watching several hours of NHK each day and reading multiple Japanese news sources. There are only a few rules to keep in mind. Finally booked my flights, enjoy your trips everyone! On August 23, specifics of the September relaxation measures were leaked to the same media outlets. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed. If you are unvaccinated or not boosted, you need a negative Covid test. As frustrating as this whole process has been, Japan is not still (completely) stuck in March 2020. This is a major policy shift and will relaxif not eliminate entirelyJapans intensive COVID-19 countermeasures, including limiting the movements of infected people and their close contacts. Its another symbolic measure, and coming at a time when an increasing number of international visitors have already moved on to other destinations and pent-up demand has begun fizzling out. Kyodo, Nikkei, and NHK are reporting that this is to be determined, with government officials still deciding whether to proceed with this plan or start with lifting the daily arrival cap. Japan on Friday eased its borders for foreign tourists. Tour groups from 98 countries, including Australia, can now visit the country - but only if they wear masks, have . I just got back from my first post re-opening trip to Japan, and am open to answering questions. If you're not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site. Frankly, the miscalculation here by the Kishida administration is thinking that this will have an immediate impact on inbound travel. Another possibility is that Japan will allow individual foreign tourists to enter the country andexempt them from visas if they have been vaccinated three times or submit a pre-arrival test result. Dining out doesnt mean getting rid of the mask. Japan is open! Travelers from most countries can now enter Japan without applying for a visa in advance. I land on Nov. 2, the website the new form come out Nov.I am so confusedbut no one seems to come here anymore.if anyone reads this please answer if you can. . The Jomon Prehistoric Sites collectively form a Cultural Heritage Site, at which you'll learn about the culture of the indigenous Jmon people across 17 archaeological areas.. Bullet Trains.