Multiple media outlets, including NHK, Kyodo, Nikkei, and Fuji TV are all reporting thatJapansgovernment is planning to further relax restrictions and border measures with an eye to implementing the revisions by the start of October. 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. As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. 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. Exercise normal precautions in Japan. We have to carry it out in the not-so-distant future, he said. 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 . Those reading regular updates on Japans reopening are not representative of international travelers at large. Given that none of the recent reports have even mentioned COVIDs status in regard to reopening, its possible our perspective was wrong. Naturally, if you want to make the most out of your trip and have a truly unforgettable experience you can book an amazing independent itinerary or small group tour through us, with the added benefit of. I land on Nov. 2, the website the new form come out Nov.I am so confusedbut no one seems to come here anymore.if anyone reads this please answer if you can. oh wow!! On August 31, Kishida made an official announcement encompassing all of the rumored changes, including unguided tourists. 2. HTJ said Japan is currently open for travel, but for those who have a visa or are an exchange . Will those be a requirement for overseas travelers? "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 . We recommend carrying a tube of hand cream, as some formulas can be quite drying. 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. While I hope to see you around here on future updates, I know that probably wont be the case. Im inclined to say Spring 2023, but its easy to envision a worst-case that isnt until summer. The total of guests at hotels and inns was 315.75 million, down 4.8% from 2020 and 47% from 2019. Its entirely possible that Kishida sees this polling and his sagging approval numbers and realizes that its time to move forward. If you are unvaccinated, you have to take a pre-departure test. Japan also began allowing unguided tours, meaning ones not accompanied by tour conductors. Constitutionally, the Japanese government cant mandate something like mask wearing. Yes, Japan will be fully open for tourists and lift its travel restrictions (to pre-COVID status) on October 11th, 2022. Japan is now allowing foreign nationals to enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. 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. Its akin to the experience we had when we started InsideJapan in the year 2000, back when the idea of Kyoto being over-touristed seemed impossible. 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. If you want help planning a trip to Japan, visit my consulting page to book a Zoom consultation. All of this in the hope for some clarity as to when the country will fully reopen and Japan will begin allowing international tourists to enter once again. 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). If you want a copy of thistotally freeeBook and Japan reopening updates, all you need to do issubscribe to our newsletter! Kihara isnt the only one who has been vocal about fully reopening to tourists recently. On August 23, specifics of the September relaxation measures were leaked to the same media outlets. In various updates here, weve been sharing our experiences and what its like as a foreign visitor, what has changed, crowd conditions, expenses of visiting Japan with the weaker yen, and much more. From June 10th 2022, Japan opened to escorted tours. You all made the (repeated) cancellations and premature excitement a bit more bearable. Japan is open to travel. Japan has maintained fairly strict border control since the pandemic began however as of October 11th, 2022, all COVID restrictions and border controls have been lifted. Together, youll craft your itinerary. From October 11th 2022, Japan removed visa requirements and arrival caps, returning to pre-pandemic travel arrangements. If youre planning a trip to Japan, there are some things you should do now. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed. 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. Our view is that the worst-case scenario is nowhighlyunlikely. There will be a winter resurgence. Japan is open! When Visa Free Travel to Japan Since October 11, 2022, tourists from countries in the visa waiver program have been able to enter Japan visa-free again. Travelers who are unsure of their eligibility to travel to Japan should contact the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate for additional . More likely, the impact wont be fully felt until next years cherry blossom season. Following Japans decision last month to drop pre-departure testing,the Japanese governmentis nowallowing travellers to visit Japan without booking a guided tour or using a travel agency. Heres what you need to know. Since October 11th, 2022, people who travel from countries with a former visa-waiver agreement with Japan have been able to travel to Japan freely again! Economic benefits of international tourists is one big reason why Japan is expected to reopen its border. Subscribers also receive a totally free copy of ourJapan on a BudgeteBook. Read on to find out about the current atmosphere in the country. 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. Among fellow G7 countries, Japan has had some of the strictest rules it comes to border restrictions. What are testing, face mask, and vaccine requirements for visitors? 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. Thanks for your commitment, communication and consultation over the last 2 years. (See above 'Latest News') Short-term travelers to Japan will be allowed to enter Japan without a visa. Several recent updates have centered around Japans internal debate over whether tostrip COVID-19 of its special status and downgrade it to the same level as the flu in Japans infectious disease categories. As of October 11, 2022, Japan is open for tourism for independent travelers without a guide or a packaged tour. 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. . Setouchi Triennale (First Session from April 14th, 2022) 3. Think those will stick around for several months, or are simply theater to shift public opinion? 1) Register for "Visit Japan Web". sheeesh still cant believe my trip starting october 22nd might actually happen this time (). Japan tops global tourism index for 1st time, despite tight borders. Japan is finally open to independent travellers and has now lifted even more border restrictions. We humbly apologize for the inconvenience. February 24th, 2022 at 2:15 PM EST Skift Take Japan is clearly taking steps to prepare for a reopening to foreign tourists not just the gradual border easing that will take place next month.. 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. This is despite Japans Go to Travel campaign that subsidized domestic travel, which was offered at various times during the last two years. If you decide to travel to Japan: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. Dj vu! For more details, see our Japan Covid vaccination and testing page. 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. by: Kristy Tamashiro. The number of people anxiously awaiting Japans reopening is shrinking, not growing. 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. As improbable as it mightve seemed even a week ago, Japan welcoming back international visitors who are not part of tours (guided or unguided) sometime before November is likely. 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. 11 helpful votes. This is where there is disagreement among the major outlets. 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). Visa-free, independent travel is now possible for most nationalities. From 11th October onwards, visa-free travel will resume, and all arrival caps are being removed as well. It was challenging, convoluted and at times frustrating. 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