Thu 26 May 2022 23.20 EDT Japan has announced it will end a two-year pandemic closure and reopen to tourists from 98 countries and regions next month, but travellers will only be allowed in as. Ill never forget this amazing, special blog and the unlikely community of shared pain that flourished here for as long as I live. Im heading to Tokyo for the first time in 3.5 years on October 23rd and I cant wait! It kind of fell like a little community in here, like I know from Discord groups. Early detection of postpartum depression? Lets see where THIS goes. In this case, his/her screen will be Yellow, but he/she can use Fast Track.. We also create tailormade trips. Critically, this would eliminate the legal requirement of a responsible receiving party for visitors to Japan. Koike said that Japans borders would fully reopen soon. Japan is famous for . Thanks again for all the work you put into this. Most flights here are not daily, but a few times a week. The basics. Japansreclassification of COVID-19 to Class 5 came after a panel of experts under the health ministry agreed on the plan earlier in the day. From the beginning this page was the only place I checked (sometimes daily) for hope. Given that none of the recent reports have even mentioned COVIDs status in regard to reopening, its possible our perspective was wrong. However, for a child below the age of 18 who is traveling with their parents, this is the policy (this is direct from a Japanese consulate email): For children under the age of 18 who do not hold a valid vaccination certificate three times. 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.. Let's have a proper look at what has changed for those planning to travel to Japan in 2022 and what to expect when you finally do get here. Following Japans decision last month to drop pre-departure testing,the Japanese governmentis nowallowing travellers to visit Japan without booking a guided tour or using a travel agency. Also as previously mentioned, recent poll data also shows the public is now far less concerned with COVID than the economy, Unification Church scandal, Abes state funeral, and other issues. And even now, as it opens its borders to tourists from nearly. Multiple media outlets, including NHK, Kyodo, Nikkei, and Fuji TV are all reporting thatJapansgovernment is planning to further relax restrictions and border measures with an eye to implementing the revisions by the start of October. Are borders open as normal in 2023? Passport validity required for traveling to Japan: Duration of intended period of stay. The government had a goal of 40 million in 2020 timed with the Summer Olympics. Can you write one last update about the boarder being opened. Reopening to individual tourists in October presents minimal (political) risk and maximum (economic) upside. So, youll be able to have the place mostly to yourself and everything will seem positively cheap! Most flights go to Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), but some flights also go to Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto). However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name There are only a few rules to keep in mind. It doesnt matter if you have just squirted it on at the shop next door, one minute ago. The next step for Japan, I think, is Corona downgrade and mask usage. Will those be a requirement for overseas travelers? It is finally over. 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 big one for most of you is likely going to beJapan Face Mask Rules v. Reality in 2023. Obviously, the easing has to occur at some point and this lag will always play out, but the notion that this moves the needle for fall is misguided. Istanbul is one of the most important tourism spots not only in Turkey but also in the world. InUnguided Tours in Japan Reopening Phase Rules, we cover what this entails and the recently-released guidelines and FAQ for these tours. What were those, you ask? 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. UPDATE: The Japanese government announced on May 26, 2022, that Japan will reopen for tourists visiting on packaged tours starting June 10, 2022. by: Kristy Tamashiro. Experience the best of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and Kamakura on this 9-night, low-cost Small Group Tour. Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherries in full bloom: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com Situation Summary Hi Tom, This becomes increasingly true as the yen weakens due to the Bank of Japan continuing to pursue its loose monetary policy while the United States Federal Reserve, European, and other central banks raise interest rates. Is this a here we go again moment looming? 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. oh wow!! According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 206,500 foreign tourists visited the nation in September. This may also mean the end of the Visit Japan Web app. Finally, the worst-case scenario is that Japan instead opts to revive its Go to Travel campaign just in time for fall colors season, and uses that to buoy the tourism sector through December. Single-use cutlery is rife, including disposable chopsticks and plastic forks. Were excited about this great (but overdue) news, but also go in knowing that things will be different, in ways both good and bad. Spending another night in Okinawa for the 55th stay of my ongoing 87-day adventure across Japan, I absent-mindedly typed the letter J into my web browser, only to have this article come up as the first suggestion. Yes, Japan will be fully open for tourists and lift its travel restrictions (to pre-COVID status) on October 11th, 2022. Guided trips also had to be booked through a government-authorized provider. We know there are a lot of people overseas who want to come to Japan, Kihara added. Heres what you need to know. Both of these statements are reassuring given the current border closures, and indicate that Japan will unwind its travel ban in months, not years. It's official: Japan will reopen to tourism on October 11. 11 helpful votes. Naturally, if you want to make the most out of your trip and have a truly unforgettable experience you can book an amazing independent itinerary or small group tour through us, with the added benefit of our decades of expertise, 24/7 support and tried-and-tested safety protocols in the unlikely event of Covid-related travel disruptions during your trip. How do you view the news about guided tours? At the time of writing, Japan has been experiencing around 36,000 new cases a day new cases a day. Among fellow G7 countries, Japan has had some of the strictest rules it comes to border restrictions. Japan eased its border restrictionslast week, raising the daily arrival cap from 20,000 to 50,000 and dropping the requirement for pre-arrival PCR testing for vaccinated travelers. Visit our sister brand Inside Asia Tours. Before heading to Japan to travel, make sure to check the most up-to-date information. There will be a winter resurgence. Then, on September 7th, independent travel became possible, but still needed to be booked through a government-authorised agency and required a visa. Japans economy has serious issues and inbound tourism was previously a bright spot. It also intends to abolish the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000, the report added. From Sept. 22nd, In a Reuters report published on The Japan Times, the government may allow hotels to refuse entry to guests who do not wear masks and follow other anti-virus measures.This new measure is still in its infancy. We have all the answers you need about Japans full border opening on 11. Kihara isnt the only one who has been vocal about fully reopening to tourists recently. Thanks for subscribing! Thanks to everyone in here in the comments for that! But were over the moon to announce that travel to Japan has now returned to something that looks a lot like the old normal. May its borders remain open forevermore. There are thousands of hotels and other tourist-oriented industries in the city. All rights reserved. We had a nice little community here, and that was greatly appreciated. mean getting rid of the mask. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Visa-free, independent travel is now possible for most nationalities. Cheers . 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 Our view is that the worst-case scenario is nowhighlyunlikely. Most people need months of time between booking and traveling; very few plan and take last-minute tripsespecially international ones. I already moved on to read your other Japan travel posts to get tips which are also so helpful! June 23, 2022 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. 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. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. Yes, in some situations. Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. Autumn is already a lost cause. I came to your page because this comments section and its provisional community provided something both unique and welcome in a dark time for travellers of Japan. Finally booked my flights, enjoy your trips everyone! Travel agencies eye discounts for those vaccinated for COVID-19. Starting November 1, 2022, travelers to Japan may pre-register for airport Immigration, Customs, and Vaccination review, and use "Fast Track" at major airports across Japan using Visit Japan Web. Thanks for the updates Tom and thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and opinions over the past 2 years. But from 11 Oct 2022, travellers are free to explore Japan independently . However, if youve received any fewerjabs than three, youll need to show a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure for Japan. Japan also began allowing unguided tours, meaning ones not accompanied by tour conductors. Basically, travelling with a guide either as part of a group or a private guide just for you and your travel companion(s). Find inspiration for your Japan holiday plans by exploring our latest brochure. I assume well hear from AndyO soon, admitting he was wrong, like he demanded from so many of us. As of October 11, 2022, Japan is open for tourism for independent travelers without a guide or a packaged tour. 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. From June 10th 2022, Japan opened to escorted tours. Dining out doesnt mean getting rid of the mask. Travelers from most countries can now enter Japan without applying for a visa in advance. Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherries in full bloom: Japan Airlines planes at Narita International Airport: Guide to the Visit Japan Web app and Japan Entry Procedures, Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto), Kyoto Walking Tour 1: Nanzen-ji Temple to Yoshida-jinja Shrine, Kyoto Walking Tour 2: Tofuku-ji Temple to Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, Kyoto Walking Tour 3: Classic Southern Higashiyama, A Guide to the Visit Japan Web app and Japan Entry Procedures, Kyoto Itineraries for Families with Children, Kyoto One-Day Off-the-Beaten-Track Cherry Blossom Itinerary, The Most Romantic Hotels and Ryokan in Kyoto. There are no quarantine requirements, and travel is visa-free for the vast majority of people reading this. Japan has maintained fairly strict border control since the pandemic began however as of October 11th, 2022, all COVID restrictions and border controls have been lifted. While Japan is keeping in place its quarantine system for arrivals from a list of at-risk countries, no countries are actually currently on that list. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday that Japan will allow the entry of nonescorted visitors on package tours and raise the daily arrival cap to 50,000 starting Sept. 7 . We have more good news! Economic benefits of international tourists is one big reason why Japan is expected to reopen its border. Hospitalizations and mortality remain relatively low. We mention this in part to own past mistakes, but also as a cautionary tale. Now that borders are open you can visit a new UNESCO site in northern Japan, open since May 2021. Here is the lowdown on Japan's relaxed travel rules. You will receive a link to download the eBook and periodic emails when there's news to share. Validity of visas issued under "Business Track" / "Residence Track" or "New border measures (4)" is suspended for the time being. 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. It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. Setouchi Triennale (First Session from April 14th, 2022) 3. Some facilities such as museums, aquariums and theme parks require prior booking or a ticket purchase. Some places expect more self-service, such as helping yourself to water, though this can change from one establishment to another. (This number includes hotels used as government quarantine facilities, not just leisure stays.). And the country is not rushing to change. Can you really see Japan's best bits on a budget? Wow, i cant believe it. Will be heading back again in a couple of weeks. 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. . Any thoughts or tips of your own to add? Visa-free travel has also been reinstated for travellers from dozens of countries (see which ones here), though there are still several border measures in place. When Visa Free Travel to Japan Since October 11, 2022, tourists from countries in the visa waiver program have been able to enter Japan visa-free again. This is a necessary prerequisite for further reopening and the resumption of more inbound international flights, but this alone was not an obstacle dissuading most international visitors. Visa-free travel is possible for all countries that originally had this arrangement with Japan, which includes countries like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, most of Europe, the US and Canada. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11, . Just booked my accommodation/flights/insurance/rail pass for a 22 day trip to Hiroshima, Fukui, Kanazawa, Nagoya and Osaka! Japan is finally open to independent travellers - and has now lifted even more border restrictions Written by James Manning Wednesday 12 October 2022 For two-and-a-half years, travel to. As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. (February 2023 Update). We typically spend a couple of months in Japan each year, and are ecstatic to be returning after nearly 3 years away. Dj vu! Try another? As we are seeing a surge, nobody is talking about relaxing the entry restrictions now. Read on to find out about the current atmosphere in the country. Few countries around the world have been so cautious about reopening their borders to tourism after the cataclysmic shutdowns of 2020. Previously, travellers were required to join a tour group to enter Japan for leisure. From 11. I will be in Japan from the second week of Nov. 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