Was great being here. Wearing masks indoors is still softly required by many shops and restaurants. Easy. You will be free to make your own choices where masks are not advised we wouldnt recommend choosing not to wear one where they are advised. Basically, travelling with a guide either as part of a group or a private guide just for you and your travel companion(s). Thank you Tom for providing us a platform to discuss thing amidst all the confusing developments and giving us updates. And even now, as it opens its borders to tourists from nearly. Given that none of the recent reports have even mentioned COVIDs status in regard to reopening, its possible our perspective was wrong. Its says a lot about Japan is a socially conscious society that so many individuals choose to wear masks even without mandates in place! Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Japan. If you cant respect another countrys Covid policies you shouldnt visit and be an entitled tourist. Borders were reopening, but visitor numbers were capped at 50,000 per day, movement was severely restricted, and travelers required a visa and health insurance to visit. Current state of tourism: fully open to international tourism Read about coronavirus manners in Japan. Just over half a million visitors have come to Japan so far in 2022, compared with a record 31.8 million in 2019. This will save you significant money on accommodations, attractions, temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants! On 10 June 2022, Japan finally started allowing international tourists into the country for the first time in . First, after reopening to guided tour groups, Japan reopened to individual tourists on October 11 of last year. We offer (genuinely small) Small Group Tours with the worlds best Japan guides, passionate Japanophiles who live in the country, speak the language and will bring the culture to life for you. 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. We recommend checking with the facilities you want to visit before heading out. The good news is that we now have an answer to questionsweve been asking for nearly two years! Thats the sharpest fall on record according to the Japan Tourism Agency. Japan Tourism: The decision means Japan will allow in a limited number of foreign . (This number includes hotels used as government quarantine facilities, not just leisure stays.). Koike said that Japans borders would fully reopen soon. so its confirmed Thanks so much Tom. Are you concerned that Japan wont reopen until 2023, or think October is still realistic? Thanks for subscribing! Among fellow G7 countries, Japan has had some of the strictest rules it comes to border restrictions. 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. It looks like you're using an ad blocker. The specifics are not consistent among outlets, so lets start with where theyre in agreeance. October 2022, visa-free travel resumed and all arrival caps were removed as well. Ive been following since the very beginning and only started actually posting at the very end, but I want you to know how grateful I am that your blog existed as truly the gold standard for Japan-related travel blogs throughout the pandemic. That would mean individual tourists would not be welcomed back to Japan until sometime in the first half of 2023. To enter Japan tourists simply need to: Return a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure, OR provide a valid Covid-19 certificate of having had at least 3 vaccine doses (the certificate needs to be uploaded onto Visit Japan web) If this does not resolve the issue or you are unable to add the domains to your allowlist, please see this FAQ. Your updates were by far the best I could find on the internet and helped lots of us getting through this (dare I say; emotional) rollercoaster the past several years. Japan needs more than just new visa options to attract highly skilled workers, Japan to rename sex crime to highlight illegality of nonconsensual intercourse, How the Russia-Ukraine war has changed Japans economic outlook, Japan moves toward approving abortion pill in major shift, Walking 5,000-7,000 steps each day is enough for greater longevity, Japanese study finds. We recommend checking with the facilities you want to visit before heading out. Up until now, the government has eased access to the country in baby steps amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point. This assumes thatJapan downgrades COVID-19 from its special status to Category 5 literally any day now orthat this is not a necessary prerequisite to an individual tourist reopening. Its now the popular position being advanced publicly by politicians, not just being advocated by Keidanren or Japans business lobby. Here are all the details on visa-free travel, vaccination and Covid test requirements. Thank you Tom and to everyone for all the insights, info, and updates. In terms of the latest news, the current vaccine and testing policies are likely to end on May 8, 2023. Visit Japan (@Visit_Japan) September 22, 2022 If the prime minister's announcement is followed, then from October 11, individual tourists will once again be able to travel to Japan. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Thats simply a good time to visit Japan and, hopefully, the country will be open to individual tourists by then. Kyoto in cherry blossom season: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com. Kishida has also acknowledged that Japans border control measures are the strictest among Group of Seven nations, and expressed a desire/need to bring Japan in line with its counterparts. Japan's borders finally reopened to independent travelers in October 2022, and visiting Japan now is virtually as easy as it was before the pandemic. See our, If you are boosted with a Covid vaccine, you do not need a negative Covid test before flying to Japan. Find inspiration for your Japan holiday plans by exploring our latest brochure. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); According to the Japan Tourism Agency, Japan welcomed 31.9 million . As countries across Asia reopen to international travelers, Japan one of the continent's most popular destinations remains firmly closed. 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. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name We have all the answers you need about Japans full border opening on 11. It was challenging, convoluted and at times frustrating. 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. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. 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. In many places, customers should browse the menu via a QR code. 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! What were those, you ask? In short, the early October reopening is not just our most optimistic viewits now what we expect to happen. With all of that in mind, we remain cautiously optimistic that individual tourists will be allowed to enter Japan sooner rather than later. There are no quarantine requirements, and travel is visa-free for the vast majority of people reading this. 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. Of course you can! Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. Still current at: 28 February 2023 Updated: 9 February 2023 Latest update: Updated information on travellers entering Japan from China - excluding Hong Kong and Macao ('Entry requirements' page). Unlike the ever-sensational, click-hungry news, it was immediately clear whether something had actually happened (and thereby I could close out of the tab without being sucked into the latest round of Corona-related doom and gloom), and unlike virtually any other Japan-centric community Id encountered so far, it was a positive and generally healthy environment with a pleasant, level-headed and responsible leader at its helm. Second, theres awareness within theKishida administration that the window of opportunity to reopen the border is closing. Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherries in full bloom: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com, Last Update: February 28, 2023 (this page will be updated as needed). It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. It will happen soon. 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. Japan is now allowing foreign nationals to enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. Re: Will Japan will re-open fully to tourists before October? Any thoughts or tips of your own to add? Were excited about this great (but overdue) news, but also go in knowing that things will be different, in ways both good and bad. Updated: Mar 31, 2022 / 10:45 PM HST. Plus:youll soon be able to spend six weeks in Thailand, visa-free. (With the possible workaround of travel insurance or some other awkward fix.). With this, the visa exemption would be reinstated, making that a non-issue. Yes! That also offers tips for avoiding crowds and strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. As we are seeing a surge, nobody is talking about relaxing the entry restrictions now. Yes, Japan will be fully open for tourists and lift its travel restrictions (to pre-COVID status) on October 11th, 2022. Required fields are marked *, Free Money-Saving eBook & Japan Email Updates, https://www.travelcaffeine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mount-fuji-sunrise-field-autumn-foliage-japan-bricker.jpg, https://www.travelcaffeine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/travel-caffeine-new-logo-2.jpg, Is Japan Open to Tourists? Exercise normal precautions in Japan. Japan finally opened its borders to tourists on Friday, but with strict rules. This could leave you open to exploitation and prosecution. Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. All rights reserved. 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 thousands of hotels and other tourist-oriented industries in the city. a prior mandate in late May, many people are still wearing masks outdoors. But were over the moon to announce that travel to Japan has now returned to something that looks a lot like the old normal. Is Japan open for internationalindividual travelers? Yes, in some situations. Wherever you choose! Human behavior and sentiment dont change overnight, even if its economically advantageous and objectively safer to do so. These are all our latest exclusive holiday, vacation and tour offers brought to you from InsideJapan Tours. While it certainly sounds likethe end is nearfor the Japan travel ban, its premature to have a high degree of confidence. If you are triple-vaxxed (ie, boosted), you do NOT need proof of a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of boarding your flight to Japan. Weve already returned to Japan, spending about a month in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and elsewhere. With the ever-changing rules, it's hard to keep up with which countries are open for study, work, and tourism. The total of guests at hotels and inns was 315.75 million, down 4.8% from 2020 and 47% from 2019. Visa-free travel for selected countries, including the US, has also been resumed. Did the Visit Japan Web App before arrival and was simple getting through everything at Narita, just had to show them the QR codes, two people traveling, one with the triple vaccination and one just using pre travel PCR test. Previously, travel requirements included booking your trip through a government-approved tour operator and also obtain a visa and ERFS certificate, but both these requirements are no longer necessary. 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) { As governor of Tokyo, that would be tomorrow.. Most flights here are not daily, but a few times a week. Well, I visited only recently but it was one of the (very few) level-headed sites that discussed this topic. Were preserving this for posterity, but everything that follows is now (thankfully!) 2022. Updated On September 26, 2022. 0:49. However, after more than two and a half years of waiting the country is fully reopening for tourism. From June 10th 2022, Japan opened to escorted tours. 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. 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.". From the beginning this page was the only place I checked (sometimes daily) for hope. See our. 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. 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. You do NOT need to be vaccinated with a Covid vaccine to enter Japan. If you want help planning a trip to Japan, visit my consulting page to book a Zoom consultation. Lets have a look at the measures that are still in place, despite the reopening of borders. Try another? 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. 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. Cheers . We will review all three restrictions together. 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 Given that Japan is now open, its time to start planning a trip. Thats a wild card that could further extend any timeline. Japan Airlines planes at Narita International Airport: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com. More likely, the impact wont be fully felt until next years cherry blossom season. HTJ said Japan is currently open for travel, but for those who have a visa or are an exchange . 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. Im very glad its dead but am also appreciative of what existed while it did. 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. "We will lift the ceiling of the number of entrants into Japan, lift the ban on. Not so much in the last couple of years, as this has been reflected in policy-making. However, as we have seen time and time again, the patently obvious conclusion often is not the outcome reached by Japan. We are eager to revisit our favorite places, see friends in Japan for the first time in over two years, and continue creating this sites wealth of free planning resources. 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. Early detection of postpartum depression? Guided trips also had to be booked through a government-, , independent travel became possible, but still needed to be booked through a government-, However, as we mentioned above, from October 11, onwards fully independent, visa-free travel, Yes! We will update this page as information changes. Yet despite the wealth of praises I have for Tom, this article and its two-year community, I am so, so glad, perhaps gladder than ever now, that compulsively opening this link in my browser is no longer part of my daily routine. So why aren't tourists coming back? 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. There are only a few rules to keep in mind. 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. You will receive a link to download the eBook and periodic emails when there's news to share. Basically, travelling with a guide either as part of a group or a private guide just for you and your travel companion(s). Thatll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. Dj vu! For my own peace of mind, could you please confirm that MYSOS form completion will no longer be a necessary requirement for entry into Japan from October 11th when the travel restrictions are lifted? I wish you all the best with your upcoming tripsthanks again for everything. Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. Domestic criticism and lobbying have already allowed a significant easing of the restrictions. Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs has offered new guidance that were covering inJapan Reopening to Individual Tourists: FAQ, Rules & Guidelines. Here are 7 of the new tourist attractions that are opening in Japan in 2022! Moreover, how this played out with Japans last announcement is also instructive. Awareness within theKishida administration that the time is hereor coming very soon including the us, has also resumed! And sentiment dont change overnight, even if its economically advantageous and objectively safer to is japan open for tourism 2022 so late,! Will allow in a limited number of foreign Affairs has offered new guidance that were covering inJapan to. 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