However, after more than two and a half years of waiting, the country fully reopened to tourism. November 2 - International travelers to Japan exceeded 200,000 in September. The Japanese government has been working on a borders reopening schedule since April 27 to help revive the economy. There is no requirement for arrival testing regardless of vaccination status. Want to receive free updates on when Japan will reopen for travel? Cant wait! If you're not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site. 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. However, if you are not vaccinated and boosted, you will need to have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of boarding your flight to Japan. In this case, his/her screen will be Yellow, but he/she can use Fast Track.. Will those be a requirement for overseas travelers? We also create tailormade trips. However and wherever you choose to travel, well take exceptional care of you from the first call to arriving back home. 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. October 2022, visa-free travel resumed and all arrival caps were removed as well. for individual tourists. Here is a useful link for the latest coronavirus numbers on Japan: Disclosure: InsideKyoto.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.co.uk. Lets say that happens in early November. Citizens of 68 countries now get visa-free travel to Japan. As we are seeing a surge, nobody is talking about relaxing the entry restrictions now. Most read in 2022 Japan's reopening, war in Ukraine -- our 12 most read stories of 2022. 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). Quite simply,Japan is inflicting pain on itself by remaining closed. 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. Before heading to Japan to travel, make sure to check the most up-to-date information. We had a nice little community here, and that was greatly appreciated. This is specifically forunguided tour groups or non-escorted visitors on package tours andnotindividual tourists. Lets see where THIS goes. We have all the answers you need about Japan's full border opening on 11th October 2022. On 10 June 2022, Japan finally started allowing international tourists into the country for the first time in . Current state of tourism: fully open to international tourism Read about coronavirus manners in Japan. In addition to masks, divider screens can still be seen in many establishments. It doesnt matter if you have just squirted it on at the shop next door, one minute ago. Thank you, for this wonderful site with its very helpful regular updates! Things To Do In Kyoto Overview Start Here! What about proof of vaccination? Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. We then take care of all the arrangements, create you a totally bespoke Info Pack detailing every aspect of your trip and offer guidance and support throughout. Traveling in Japan without constraint as a tourist is possible from October 11, 2022. 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? However, Japan remains one of the few major economies with significant restrictions on travel still in place, including a cap on visitor numbers. First, there is consensus that the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000, will be eliminated entirely. A key challenge will be to make the country more responsible and open-minded to foreigners. Im happy that I soon wont be needing to lurk this site on a daily basis as I have for the last countless months, but will always look back on this unexpected place of community fondly. If you are a citizen of one of those countries, you do not need to apply for a visa in advance; you will be given a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival in Japan (note that there are few exceptions which are listed on the MOFA site). 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. Passport validity required for traveling to Japan: Duration of intended period of stay. . Here are all the details on visa-free travel, vaccination and Covid test requirements. The Jomon Prehistoric Sites collectively form a Cultural Heritage Site, at which you'll learn about the culture of the indigenous Jmon people across 17 archaeological areas.. Bullet Trains. Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherries in full bloom: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com, Last Update: February 28, 2023 (this page will be updated as needed). Will be heading back again in a couple of weeks. Visit our sister brand Inside Asia Tours. We have all the answers you need about Japans full border opening on 11. 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. If youre planning your trip to Japan, what do you think about these itineraries? This may also mean the end of the Visit Japan Web app. Amid the weakening yen, inbound travelers will have greatest economic effectThere are many foreign visitors who want to come visit Japan. Kihara added that eliminating the arrival cap alone was not enough. Thank you so much for this free and respectful space for everyones opinions that has helped us get through these difficult years. 2. And the country is not rushing to change. Now is the time to start planning a trip to Japan. obsolete information. Exercise normal precautions in Japan. . Yes! Japanese researchers may have found a way. How do you view the news about guided tours? Japan is now allowing foreign nationals to enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. Together, youll craft your itinerary. See our. 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. Japan's struggling tourism sector sees a light at the end of the tunnel as "self-guided" tours make way for full travel. 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. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11th, and Japan is fully open for tourism. Thatll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. Basically, travelling with a guide either as part of a group or a private guide just for you and your travel companion(s). The endisnear. You need to wait until the end of August to foresee that possibility. But from 11 Oct 2022, travellers are free to explore Japan independently . Finally booked my flights, enjoy your trips everyone! Im very glad its dead but am also appreciative of what existed while it did. Japan Tourism: The decision means Japan will allow in a limited number of foreign . These are all our latest exclusive holiday, vacation and tour offers brought to you from InsideJapan Tours. At that time, it was unclear whether unguided tourists would be allowed to enter. Essentially, there will be no (legal) basis for the current border protocol effective May 8, 2023. Of course, things could change between now and then, but its likely the border will revert to late 2019 status as of that date. Thanks to so many of you regular readers and commenters who made the last couple of years easier, shared articles, optimistic/pessimistic updates, and so much more. There will be a winter resurgence. Japan is open to travel. 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 Learn about the current situation, checklist for tourists, entry restrictions and safety measures before you travel. Naoko Kutty. Its thus our view that Japan reopening in some capacity to individual tourists in October is a very realistic scenario. 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. 1) Register for "Visit Japan Web". Validity of visas issued under "Business Track" / "Residence Track" or "New border measures (4)" is suspended for the time being. I already moved on to read your other Japan travel posts to get tips which are also so helpful! Japan is finally open! On September 22, 2022, however, Prime Minister Kishida finally revealed that these restrictions would be scrapped. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Impediments to international travel to Japan also come from measures imposed by the tourists' own countries. The reopening to tourism was very slow and gradual, but there are not any constraint anymore and anyone can travel freely to Japan. This is now the same as the best-case scenario. Sheesh! The government will also take measures to stimulate and jump-start the economy. The good news is that we now have an answer to questionsweve been asking for nearly two years! HTJ said Japan is currently open for travel, but for those who have a visa or are an exchange . Second, theres awareness within theKishida administration that the window of opportunity to reopen the border is closing. 2023 Yosemite Firefall Viewing Guide: Best Dates, Reservations Info & Face Masks in Japan: Rules v. Reality (2023), Please subscribe to our FREE email newsletter, Japan Fall Colors Forecast & Autumn Foliage Viewing Guide, Tokyo Disneyland 40th Anniversary 'Dream-Go-Round' Details, New Parade & Japan Reopening Disney Tourist Blog The KKK News. Beloved for its unique mix of vibrant urban culture and natural beauty, the country is lifting its tight regulations on foreign tourists, according to a tweet Thursday from Taro Kono, Japan's. It is finally over. 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! Gradual speeding-up of the reopening. For better or worse, Japan is an insular and culturally conservative countrya characteristic that is often valued by visitors. From 11. 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. Bon voyage! Visa-free travel for selected countries, including the US, has also been resumed. This indicates that Japan is finally ready to move forward and sets the precedent for future changes during waves. What to Expect? 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. 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. 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