Japan To Open Borders From June 10 To Aid Hobbled Tourism Industry: Report . What follows is based on that research and fixation with the on-the-ground situation in Japan. Hi Tom, 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. 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. (See above 'Latest News') Short-term travelers to Japan will be allowed to enter Japan without a visa. Those two posts cover essentially everything you need to know about visiting Japan as of 2023. February 2023 Japan is finally open! You need to wait until the end of August to foresee that possibility. From 11. 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week, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is in New York to deliver an address at the U.N. General [], Your email address will not be published. One wildcard is the downgrade of COVIDs legal status. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that his top priority was formulating new economic measures and implementing these goals. 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. Heres what you need to know. Do you or anyone here know if we need this after Oct. 11? By September 14, 2022 Credit: Depositphotos Advertisement After. 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. 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. 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. Thatll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. The big one for most of you is likely going to beJapan Face Mask Rules v. Reality in 2023. Use the Visit Japan Web app to upload your Covid vaccination status or Covid test results. 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. japan, . Will those be a requirement for overseas travelers? Its thus our view that Japan reopening in some capacity to individual tourists in October is a very realistic scenario. We recommend checking with the facilities you want to visit before heading out. Asia Welcomes Travelers, but Japan Says, Not Yet Countries across region are reopening borders to tourists, but Japan continues to turn them away. I just got back from my first post re-opening trip to Japan, and am open to answering questions. And thank you for providing this space for all of us. For arrivals from most countries from October 11th, 2022, a visa is no longer required to visit Japan. As of October 11, 2022, Japan is open for tourism for independent travelers without a guide or a packaged tour. 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! If this does not resolve the issue or you are unable to add the domains to your allowlist, please see this FAQ. All others must show such proof. You do NOT need to be vaccinated with a Covid vaccine to enter Japan. If there are no screens, you may be expected to practice social distancing by sitting a table or two away from other customers. Gradual speeding-up of the reopening. But whatever winter wave occurs (and onewillhappen), thats unlikely to be an obstacle to reopening progress, as was the case last year. 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. So why aren't tourists coming back? Guidelines for tourist attractions are straightforward. We will review all three restrictions together. 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. You dont have to be vaccinated to travel to Japan, but whether you need a PCR test does depend on your vaccination status: Sort of, hence the confusion! 1) Register for "Visit Japan Web". |. Not sure whether youll ever see this, but just want to let you know that I saw your comment and really appreciate you taking the time to share. The number of people anxiously awaiting Japans reopening is shrinking, not growing. A shopping street in Tokyo's Asakusa district Friday, June 10, 2022. 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. If they are accompanied by a guardian such as a parent who has a valid vaccination certificate and who will supervise the children, they will be regarded as holders of valid vaccination certificates, the test certificate will be exempt as their guardian. Japan fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point. If you want a copy of thistotally freeeBook and Japan reopening updates, all you need to do issubscribe to our newsletter! Here at InsideJapan, we pride ourselves on creating (hands-down) the best cultural adventures to Japan (and we measure that by our average customer rating of 4.9/5). 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. As the Japan experts, weve sought all the requirement information directly from Japanese government sources and broken them down into easy-to-understand sections. Moreover, how this played out with Japans last announcement is also instructive. Japan is finally open to independent travellers and has now lifted even more border restrictions. 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. However and wherever you choose to travel, well take exceptional care of you from the first call to arriving back home. Save. This will save you significant money on accommodations, attractions, temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants! Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly plans to make a decision as early as the end of this week, with an eye to implementing the revisions by October. Japan strictly limits foreign arrivals out of covid-19 concerns, a scientifically specious approach that has made the country an outlier among top economies and most Asia-Pacific neighbors that. In this case, his/her screen will be Yellow, but he/she can use Fast Track.. Exercise normal precautions in Japan. I already moved on to read your other Japan travel posts to get tips which are also so helpful! As always, Japan is cautious and conservative, with a slow and belabored decision-making process that often embodies analysis paralysis and usually defies logic. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 206,500 foreign tourists visited the nation in September. Travelers from most countries can now enter Japan without applying for a visa in advance. Heres a full list of all the countries and regions eligible for visa-free travel to Japan. See our, If you are boosted with a Covid vaccine, you do not need a negative Covid test before flying to Japan. Compared with the pre-pandemic level in 2019, it dropped 99.2 percent. With all of that in mind, we remain cautiously optimistic that individual tourists will be allowed to enter Japan sooner rather than later. in the Profile section of your subscriber account page. Yes, Japan will be fully open for tourists and lift its travel restrictions (to pre-COVID status) on October 11th, 2022. The government will also take measures to stimulate and jump-start the economy. Its possible the country views this as sufficient for tourism businesses to stave off bankruptcy or other financial hardship for another few months. 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 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 . Naoko Kutty. As the Japan experts, weve sought all the requirement information directly from Japanese government sources and broken them down into easy-to-understand sections. Before heading to Japan to travel, make sure to check the most up-to-date information. 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. InUnguided Tours in Japan Reopening Phase Rules, we cover what this entails and the recently-released guidelines and FAQ for these tours. Japan Tourism: The decision means Japan will allow in a limited number of foreign . Just over half a million visitors have come to Japan so far in 2022, compared with a record 31.8 million in 2019. From June 10th 2022, Japan opened to escorted tours. First, after reopening to guided tour groups, Japan reopened to individual tourists on October 11 of last year. Who knowsit still may take until early 2023 to fully downgrade the legal status of COVID. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, Japan welcomed 31.9 million . Table of contents. We know there are a lot of people overseas who want to come to Japan, Kihara added. 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. 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. Japan relaxed its border measures earlier in September while still being #1 in the world for new cases. 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) }(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. (It took a few more days for the guidelines to be released, and the clarifying FAQ isstillbeing updated. . Japan welcomed about 32 million foreign visitors in 2019 and had been on track to achieve its goal of 40 million in 2022, said Ejaz Ahmed, a research analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit,. Its pretty clear the government is focused on moving forward. Copyright - Sarah & Tom Bricker, Travel Caffeine. Updated overall advisory level after periodic review. While I hope to see you around here on future updates, I know that probably wont be the case. What to Expect? 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. Re: Will Japan will re-open fully to tourists before October? Lets say that happens in early November. Entering Japan Japans economy has serious issues and inbound tourism was previously a bright spot. In many places, customers should browse the menu via a QR code. 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.". Thanks, [] to individual tourists for the duration of the festivities. Wow, i cant believe it. Setouchi Triennale (First Session from April 14th, 2022) 3. Things To Do In Kyoto Overview Start Here! League rediscovering fervor upon fans' full-scale return, Nippon Ham's plant-based seafood is first for major Japanese food manufacturer, A Japanese photographer heads to Ukraine; a student flees to Tokyo. Japan also began allowing unguided tours, meaning ones not accompanied by tour conductors. We had a nice little community here, and that was greatly appreciated. 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. Thanks for all the updates and helpful info during this stressful and hard time, Tom!! This is something weve pointed out in our best and worst case scenarios in prior updates, but theres only a limited amount of time between waves. Contents. Was less crowded than when I was there before, especially at the airport. If youre planning your trip to Japan, what do you think about these itineraries? History. Yes, visa free tourism resumed October 11, 2022. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name 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. 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. (This number includes hotels used as government quarantine facilities, not just leisure stays.). 11 helpful votes. 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 (d.getElementById(id)) return; June 23, 2022 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. We typically spend a couple of months in Japan each year, and are ecstatic to be returning after nearly 3 years away. Additionally, the Japan National Tourism Organization has set 2024 as its goal for recovering to 2019 international travel levels. Europeans are currently only allowed into the country in exceptional circumstances. But from 11 Oct 2022, travellers are free to explore Japan independently . 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. Before the pandemic, Japan's tourism industry was booming. Japan Airlines planes at Narita International Airport: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com. As for why Japans border is still closed over a year after most democracies reopened, that can largely be explained by the countrys apprehensiveness of outsiders. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); To enter Japan, travelers will only need to provide proof of a third vaccination (which must be a Japan-approved vaccine), or a negative Covid test result. During the Bloomberg New Voices panel,Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said she would open the countrys doors tomorrow if it were her decision. That also offers tips for avoiding crowds and strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. 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. Domestic hurdles: the possible come back of GoTo Travel and July's election. 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. Yes! js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/28/412454028.js"; With the ever-changing rules, it's hard to keep up with which countries are open for study, work, and tourism. However, after more than two and a half years of waiting the country is fully reopening for tourism. Will be heading back again in a couple of weeks. The reopening to tourism was very slow and gradual, but there are not any constraint anymore and anyone can travel freely to Japan. It aint over till its over.pls see my recent post which I HOPE isnt accurate and just some fake news, but Reuters is pretty accurate. Ahead of the highly anticipated move that would boost the country's struggling tourism industry, the government may accept a limited number 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)? Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites. "We will lift the ceiling of the number of entrants into Japan, lift the ban on. New Galleries In Naoshima (March 12th, 2022) 4. 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 . Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division. Japan will resume accepting some foreign tourists in June at the earliest, a government source said Friday, likely reversing a ban on their entry introduced during the coronavirus pandemic. Not so much in the last couple of years, as this has been reflected in policy-making. 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. Find inspiration for your Japan holiday plans by exploring our latest brochure. 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. The good news is that we now have an answer to questionsweve been asking for nearly two years! From October 11, 2022, almost all restrictions are to be lifted. 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. Visa-free, independent travel restarted on October 11. 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. Travelers who are unsure of their eligibility to travel to Japan should contact the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate for additional . To say it one last time cheers, Tom. What were those, you ask? Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherries in full bloom: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com, Last Update: February 28, 2023 (this page will be updated as needed). TOKYO . Critically, this would eliminate the legal requirement of a responsible receiving party for visitors to 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. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11th, and Japan is fully open for tourism. Traveling in Japan without constraint as a tourist is possible from October 11, 2022. Validity of visas issued under "Business Track" / "Residence Track" or "New border measures (4)" is suspended for the time being. Subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest news & instant alerts. Explore our latest brochure for Japan trip inspiration. In other words, a free-roaming backpacking trip around Japan is now on the cards! Current state of tourism: fully open to international tourism Read about coronavirus manners in Japan. 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. Children traveling with triple-vaxxed (ie, boosted) parents are exempt from the pre-departure Covid test requirement, whether or not theyve been vaccinated. Published Feb. 18, 2022 Updated Feb. 28, 2022. 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