It kind of fell like a little community in here, like I know from Discord groups. 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. Some facilities such as museums, aquariums and theme parks require prior booking or a ticket purchase. Japan Airlines planes at Narita International Airport: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com. 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 . Over two years into this, the seasonality of COVID transmission is well-established. }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-adqosrqps")); If youre planning a visit to Japan, our recommendation at this point is to target sometime in November at the earliest. Not so much in the last couple of years, as this has been reflected in policy-making. 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? "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 . Either way, thats something to continue keeping in mind. sheeesh still cant believe my trip starting october 22nd might actually happen this time (). With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. The next step for Japan, I think, is Corona downgrade and mask usage. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 206,500 foreign tourists visited the nation in September. 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. 28-year-old woman picked to be astronaut by Japans space agency, J. Japan has been largely closed to foreign visitors since 2020, as it implemented some of the world's toughest Covid-19 restrictions. On 10 June 2022, Japan finally started allowing international tourists into the country for the first time in . Well keep watching the news and keep you posted if/when there are further developments about Japan reopening and allowing entry to travelers from the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond. Updated On September 26, 2022. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, Japan welcomed 31.9 million . In this case, his/her screen will be Yellow, but he/she can use Fast Track.. 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. 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. However, Japan is now joining the rest of the world as people are ready to move on with life. Japan, like much of the world, has changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. so its confirmed Thanks so much Tom. This is specifically forunguided tour groups or non-escorted visitors on package tours andnotindividual tourists. Tour groups from 98 countries, including Australia, can now visit the country - but only if they wear masks, have . 0:49. What we had here was a weird little community of sorts, and a really nice one considering the circumstances. To learn more see our FAQ, Rust belt province got old before it got rich, as much of China will. Japan is now allowing foreign nationals to enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. Here are 7 of the new tourist attractions that are opening in Japan in 2022! Copyright - Sarah & Tom Bricker, Travel Caffeine. What were those, you ask? 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 result, Fuji TV reported Monday. 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. Are you concerned that Japan wont reopen until 2023, or think October is still realistic? I assume well hear from AndyO soon, admitting he was wrong, like he demanded from so many of us. The government will also take measures to stimulate and jump-start the economy. What were those, you ask? Aug 31, 2022. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Japan. The rules for. 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 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. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly plans to make a decision as early as the end of this week, according to the news outlets sources. This is because Japan has formally decided to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus on May 8, 2023 to the same category as common infectious diseases, such as seasonal influenza, thereby easing COVID-19 prevention rules. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11th, and Japan is fully open for tourism. Get planning with our guide to Japans 15 best hotels. We have all the answers you need about Japans full border opening on 11. While I hope to see you around here on future updates, I know that probably wont be the case. 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. As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. 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) 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. Subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest news & instant alerts. 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. June 23, 2022 Please subscribe to our FREE email newsletterand stay tuned if you are curious about how things are on-the-ground for tourists in Japan post-reopening. Visa-free, independent travel is now possible for most nationalities. Heres what you need to know. Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. Most flights here are not daily, but a few times a week. Reopening to individual tourists in October presents minimal (political) risk and maximum (economic) upside. Sheesh! We humbly apologize for the inconvenience. Moreover, how this played out with Japans last announcement is also instructive. Lets see where THIS goes. While it certainly sounds likethe end is nearfor the Japan travel ban, its premature to have a high degree of confidence. The number has never exceeded 200,000 since the pandemic began. Experience the best of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and Kamakura on this 9-night, low-cost Small Group Tour. From June 10th 2022, Japan opened to escorted tours. Travelers who are unsure of their eligibility to travel to Japan should contact the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate for additional . Yes! Exercise normal precautions in Japan. Re: Will Japan will re-open fully to tourists before October? Statements by politicians and medical advisors, gradual border relaxation measures, and other changes could be interpreted as Japan laying thegroundwork for a resumption of normalcy and the countrys eventual reopening. Fortwo-and-a-half years, travel to Japan has been pretty tough. 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. If youre planning a trip to Japan, there are some things you should do now. We also recommend consulting ourUltimate Guide to KyotoandUltimate Guide to Tokyoto plan. What are testing, face mask, and vaccine requirements for visitors? We mention this in part to own past mistakes, but also as a cautionary tale. These are questions among those planning trips to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and this covers the answers. Frankly, the miscalculation here by the Kishida administration is thinking that this will have an immediate impact on inbound travel. Additionally, the Japan National Tourism Organization has set 2024 as its goal for recovering to 2019 international travel levels. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. From June 10th 2022, Japan opened to escorted tours. =w=)b. Women in traditional robes at a shrine in Japan. Our view is that the worst-case scenario is nowhighlyunlikely. 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. Japan opens up to foreign tourists after two years 27 May 2022 Coronavirus pandemic Getty Images By Nadeem Shad BBC News After being closed to tourists for two years, Japan is opening its. If there are no screens, you may be expected to practice social distancing by sitting a table or two away from other customers. Can you write one last update about the boarder being opened. May all our trips be everything we dreamt of and more. Yes, visa free tourism resumed October 11, 2022. Hardly a week goes by when we don't get this question from a TravelSort Client. Due to this and other policies, Japan has lagged behind economically, seeing slower recovery than the United States and other counterparts that have more aggressively reopened. October 2022, visa-free travel resumed and all arrival caps were removed as well. 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. If you are unvaccinated, you have to take a pre-departure test. Istanbul is one of the most important tourism spots not only in Turkey but also in the world. Or, that this barrier does still exist and Japan will have to create a solution for it (travel insurance?) However, if youve received any fewerjabs than three, youll need to show a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure for Japan. The endisnear. On August 31, Kishida made an official announcement encompassing all of the rumored changes, including unguided tourists. Its says a lot about Japan is a socially conscious society that so many individuals choose to wear masks even without mandates in place! 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. Any questions? Visit Japan Web App also let me pre fill out for immigration and customs, and just use the QR codes for those as well. Thanks again for all the work you put into this. We also create tailormade trips. Hi Tom, On Tuesday, the country. A key challenge will be to make the country more responsible and open-minded to foreigners. Mount Fuji: One of Japan's three sacred mountains. For better or worse, Japan is an insular and culturally conservative countrya characteristic that is often valued by visitors. 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. Most people need months of time between booking and traveling; very few plan and take last-minute tripsespecially international ones. 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 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. I just got back from my first post re-opening trip to Japan, and am open to answering questions. On June 10 package tours from overseas will start to bring tourists back to the country. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); 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. Cheers . 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. The specifics are not consistent among outlets, so lets start with where theyre in agreeance. Before heading to Japan to travel, make sure to check the most up-to-date information. In other words, a free-roaming backpacking trip around Japan is now on the cards! Travelers from most countries can now enter Japan without applying for a visa in advance. Visit our sister brand Inside Asia Tours. Which brings us to a threshold issue:when will Japan reopen?This week, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is in New York to deliver an address at the U.N. General [], Your email address will not be published. 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. New Galleries In Naoshima (March 12th, 2022) 4. 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. It looks like you're using an ad blocker. 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. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Compared with the pre-pandemic level in 2019, it dropped 99.2 percent. Japan's struggling tourism sector sees a light at the end of the tunnel as "self-guided" tours make way for full travel. Traveling in Japan without constraint as a tourist is possible from October 11, 2022. Trying a bit of everything is the best way to get beneath the surface of this fascinating country. Economists fear a double dip recession in Japan due to the prolonged closures and restrictions. Authorities have arrested Australians for working in the entertainment industry while in Japan on tourist visas. We know there are a lot of people overseas who want to come to Japan, Kihara added. Basically, travelling with a guide either as part of a group or a private guide just for you and your travel companion(s). Restrictions such as museums, aquariums and theme parks require prior booking or a ticket purchase Japan without as! Should do now community in here, like much of the new tourist attractions that are opening in due! 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