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. Jul 18, 2022, 1:40 PM. Most flights go to Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), but some flights also go to Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto). TOKYO . Of course, things could change between now and then, but its likely the border will revert to late 2019 status as of that date. 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. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! 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. However, as we have seen time and time again, the patently obvious conclusion often is not the outcome reached by Japan. As the Japan experts, weve sought all the requirement information directly from Japanese government sources and broken them down into easy-to-understand sections. Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites. 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. Exercise normal precautions in Japan. In terms of the latest news, the current vaccine and testing policies are likely to end on May 8, 2023. For more than two years, Japan's borders remained closed to tourists. If there are no screens, you may be expected to practice social distancing by sitting a table or two away from other customers. Lets have a look at the measures that are still in place, despite the reopening of borders. Japan's borders could be set to reopen in March after being closed to tourists for two years. With the ever-changing rules, it's hard to keep up with which countries are open for study, work, and tourism. Even just seeing the site suggestion come up, I could feel my heart reflexively sink into my chest in dread, as though it were already anticipating nothing today, either. The national border is under the management of central government, Koike said. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 206,500 foreign tourists visited the nation in September. However, after more than two and a half years of waiting the country is fully reopening for tourism. Even though the Japanese government relaxed a prior mandate in late May, many people are still wearing masks outdoors. (February 2023 Update). On 10 June 2022, Japan finally started allowing international tourists into the country for the first time in . We have more good news! . If you want a copy of thistotally freeeBook and Japan reopening updates, all you need to do issubscribe to our newsletter! Japan To Open Borders From June 10 To Aid Hobbled Tourism Industry: Report . Boosting tourism was core to the late former Prime Minister Abes economic revitalization, and both subsequent prime ministers have indicated their intentions to maintain continuity with those plans. The next step for Japan, I think, is Corona downgrade and mask usage. . I have been to Japan many times pre-covid, and I am now going again this year late October. =w=)b. (It took a few more days for the guidelines to be released, and the clarifying FAQ isstillbeing updated. This indicates that Japan is finally ready to move forward and sets the precedent for future changes during waves. (This number includes hotels used as government quarantine facilities, not just leisure stays.). All travel companies are different. even if theyre off for a jog or on a bicycle. 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. Putting aside how I obviously need to be clearing my web history more often, it all feels so surreal now that is, how religiously I checked this comments section for news on Japan not even half a year prior, a somewhat embarrassing fact that Firefox is keen to remind me of. Tourists from all countries or regions can visit Japan on a package tour (including non-guided package tour). Explore our latest brochure for Japan trip inspiration. The new experiment is a way of testing how tourism providers deal with outbreaks of Covid-19. Before heading to Japan to travel, make sure to check the most up-to-date information. On Tuesday, the country. Heres what you need to know. Thanks for the updates Tom and thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and opinions over the past 2 years. All you have to do is pick one of our artfully made Tours and your desired departure date. 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. You all made the (repeated) cancellations and premature excitement a bit more bearable. 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. Here are cities with direct flights to Japan and the airlines that operate them. TOKYO Japan will open its borders to foreign tourists in June for the first time since imposing tight pandemic travel restrictions about two years ago, but only for package tours for now . HTJ said Japan is currently open for travel, but for those who have a visa or are an exchange . Easy. Its now the popular position being advanced publicly by politicians, not just being advocated by Keidanren or Japans business lobby. 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. 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. I will be in Japan from the second week of Nov. No doubt I will walk past some of you on here at the customs or one of the many beautiful places in Japan . Thank you Tom for providing us a platform to discuss thing amidst all the confusing developments and giving us updates. tomthanks for ALL the help.I was told I need the MYSOS app to enter now, but there is mixed information on JapanWeb. In short, the early October reopening is not just our most optimistic viewits now what we expect to happen. The Japanese governmentis now looking to capitalise on huge demand from travellers to visit without booking through an agency, especially as the weak yen means that travel to Japan is currently cheaper than it has been for many years. Tourism is a big industry in Tokyo, as well as in all Japan, so this is the time to greet more foreign tourists by using this advantage of the depreciation of the yen, she said. Cases are currently in freefall and will continue decreasing next month before bottoming out sometime between late October and early November. "The Group's Director, Public Relations, Takamoto Yokoyama also said that after the development of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor in Varanasi, the number of . Domestic criticism and lobbying have already allowed a significant easing of the restrictions. Some places expect more self-service, such as helping yourself to water, though this can change from one establishment to another. Think the need to adapt and live with the endemic virus will outweigh fear when it comes to Japans reopening plans? Coronavirus . If you are unvaccinated, you have to take a pre-departure test. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11th, and Japan is fully open for tourism. As countries across Asia reopen to international travelers, Japan one of the continent's most popular destinations remains firmly closed. With the yen weak, tourism has the potential to . Fully independent, visa-free travel to Japan is now possible from October 11th onwards. Japan finally opened its borders to tourists on Friday, but with strict rules. The government defended the program as a necessary stepping stone to open borders. Mon 10 Oct 2022 23.22 EDT Last modified on Tue 11 Oct 2022 07.34 EDT Japan has fully opened its doors to visitors after more than two years of pandemic isolation. 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. On August 31, Kishida made an official announcement encompassing all of the rumored changes, including unguided tourists. Frankly, the miscalculation here by the Kishida administration is thinking that this will have an immediate impact on inbound travel. What about proof of vaccination? As of October 11, 2022, Japan is open for tourism for independent travelers without a guide or a packaged tour. TOKYO -- Japan on Monday provided details of its full-scale tourism reopening, following Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's announcement last week. Yes! With this, the visa exemption would be reinstated, making that a non-issue. Think those will stick around for several months, or are simply theater to shift public opinion? "We will lift the ceiling of the . We recommend consulting the, The Long-term Expat: How Covid Changed My Life in Tokyo, Traveling Through Japan in the Age of Covid-19: A Personal Encounter, Why Im Glad I Got Stuck in Japan During Covid-19, Lessons in Isolation: How a 10-Day Silent Retreat in Japans Countryside Helped Me Cope With the Covid New Reality, official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Conquering a Fear of the Unknown: The Psychology Behind Covid-19 Anxiety and How to Cope With It, What the Covid-19 Pandemic can Teach Japan about Climate Change. 2022, Japan removed visa requirements and arrival caps, returning to pre-pandemic travel arrangements. This Article is From May 30, 2022. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11, . And thank you for providing this space for all of us. We have all the answers you need about Japans full border opening on 11th October. If/when theres another winter resurgence in cases, the reopening can would effectively be kicked down the road for a few more months. The Japanese government has been working on a borders reopening schedule since April 27 to help revive the economy. Aug 31, 2022. Wearing masks indoors is still softly required by many shops and restaurants. The Japanese government recently eased its COVID-19 entry restrictions, meaning tourists can now visit without being on a guided tour. 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. TOKYO, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Japan's government is planning to waive tourist visa requirements from some countries as part of a further easing of border controls enacted to stop the spread of COVID . You do NOT need to be vaccinated with a Covid vaccine to enter Japan. It doesnt matter if you have just squirted it on at the shop next door, one minute ago. I already moved on to read your other Japan travel posts to get tips which are also so helpful! of course the opposition (not all of it, from what I read) is against this. Sheesh! We have all the answers you need about Japans full border opening on 11. Is Japan open for internationalindividual travelers? Japans decision last month to drop pre-departure testing, a full list of all the countries and regions eligible for visa-free travel to Japan, huge demand from travellers to visit without booking through an agency, youll soon be able to spend six weeks in Thailand, visa-free. It's official: Japan will reopen to tourism on October 11. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; Why Japan is Unlikely to Reopen Borders Until 2022 July 7, 20210 When Will Japan Reopen Its Borders for International Visitors (and not just Olympic athletes and coaches)? But Japans border opening approach? Copyright - Sarah & Tom Bricker, Travel Caffeine. Our view is that the worst-case scenario is nowhighlyunlikely. Those two posts cover essentially everything you need to know about visiting Japan as of 2023. Again, if youd like to be notified as soon as more details are released or rumored, subscribe to ourfree email newsletter for ongoing updates and alerts: (function(d, s, id) { From October 11, 2022, almost all restrictions are to be lifted. 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. Validity of visas issued under "Business Track" / "Residence Track" or "New border measures (4)" is suspended for the time being. From the early days of Covid-19, our team of Japan travel experts has been closely monitoring developments and in constant contact with our network throughout the country. It thus stands to reason that opening to individual tourists necessarily needs to occurthat raising the entry cap will do nothing in furtherance of their stated goal. 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