Im very glad its dead but am also appreciative of what existed while it did. As frustrating as this whole process has been, Japan is not still (completely) stuck in March 2020. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11, . With that in mind, lets cover how we got here, why Japan maintains the strictest among the Group of Seven developed nations, and what could cause that to change, Again and again, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said that Japan will continue to consider how the measures should be by taking into account the infection situations at home and abroad, border control measures taken by other nations, and progress in the rollout of vaccine boosters.. This is the first step in our gradual easing of the [border] restrictions, Kishida has said. oh wow!! Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has offered new guidance that we're covering in Japan Reopening to Individual Tourists: FAQ, Rules & Guidelines. 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. 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. 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. For more than two years, Japan's borders remained closed to tourists. The good news is that we now have an answer to questionsweve been asking for nearly two years! The number of people anxiously awaiting Japans reopening is shrinking, not growing. 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. Im so excited and happy for everyone! Here are cities with direct flights to Japan and the airlines that operate them. Save. Impediments to international travel to Japan also come from measures imposed by the tourists' own countries. Think those will stick around for several months, or are simply theater to shift public opinion? We have to carry it out in the not-so-distant future, he said. 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. Thats simply a good time to visit Japan and, hopefully, the country will be open to individual tourists by then. Japan on Friday eased its borders for foreign tourists. Youll be matched with a Travel Consultant wholl get to know you, your interests, your ideas and add their own advice and recommendations. Things To Do In Kyoto Overview Start Here! It was, indeed, a rare bright spot in such a dark, sad time. Thanks for subscribing! Over two years into this, the seasonality of COVID transmission is well-established. The basics. Do you or anyone here know if we need this after Oct. 11? 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. 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. Before heading to Japan to travel, make sure to check the most up-to-date information. Constitutionally, the Japanese government cant mandate something like mask wearing. Dining out doesnt mean getting rid of the mask. Early detection of postpartum depression? These leaks came after Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara spoke on Fuji TV over the weekend and stated thatJapan will consider easing all three restrictionsthe daily arrival cap, ban on individual tourists, and visa requirements. 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. This means that people can book their own flights, accommodation and experiences, without having to go through a travel agent, which was the previous rule. The next step for Japan, I think, is Corona downgrade and mask usage. (Updated February 12, 2023.). But from 11 Oct 2022, travellers are free to explore Japan independently . We have all the answers you need about Japan's full border opening on 11th October 2022. This is now the same as the best-case scenario. Japanese researchers may have found a way. Some places expect more self-service, such as helping yourself to water, though this can change from one establishment to another. As of October 11, 2022, Japan is open for tourism for independent travelers without a guide or a packaged tour. Updated On September 26, 2022. 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. We recommend checking with the facilities you want to visit before heading out. 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. 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. Yes, in some situations. 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. 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. Japan tops global tourism index for 1st time, despite tight borders. First, theres already the realization that unguided tourslike guided tours before themwill not move the needle on inbound tourism in any meaningful way. What follows is based on that research and fixation with the on-the-ground situation in Japan. The government had a goal of 40 million in 2020 timed with the Summer Olympics. Im heading to Tokyo for the first time in 3.5 years on October 23rd and I cant wait! From 11. According to data from the Japan Tourism Agency, stays athotels and other accommodation facilities hit another record low in Japan last yearbreaking the previous record set in 2020. Then theres the middle ground or base case. Published Feb. 18, 2022 Updated Feb. 28, 2022. As governor of Tokyo, that would be tomorrow.. Thank you so much for this free and respectful space for everyones opinions that has helped us get through these difficult years. Your email address will not be published. A shopping street in Tokyo's Asakusa district Friday, June 10, 2022. Learn about the current situation, checklist for tourists, entry restrictions and safety measures before you travel. But whatever winter wave occurs (and onewillhappen), thats unlikely to be an obstacle to reopening progress, as was the case last year. To enjoy our content, please include The Japan Times on your ad-blocker's list of approved sites. If the plan goes ahead, it would mark a major shift in Japans border restrictions, which have been conservative compared with those of fellow Group of Seven members. Its possible the country views this as sufficient for tourism businesses to stave off bankruptcy or other financial hardship for another few months. In short, the early October reopening is not just our most optimistic viewits now what we expect to happen. All you have to do is pick one of our artfully made Tours and your desired departure date. Given that Japan is now open, its time to start planning a trip. Except for everyone wearing masks, things seemed mostly back to normal. 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. Can you really see Japan's best bits on a budget? We will review all three restrictions together. japan, . July 20, 2021. And, to top it off, the yen is now at multi-decade lows. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name In such a scenario, the borders could almost immediately return to their normal pre-closure status in early October. However, if youve received any fewerjabs than three, youll need to show a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure for Japan. mean getting rid of the mask. By September 14, 2022 Credit: Depositphotos Advertisement After. 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. . Passport validity required for traveling to Japan: Duration of intended period of stay. How do you view the news about guided tours? Short answer: as incredible as ever but with far fewer tourists! This could leave you open to exploitation and prosecution. This is good news for travelers like you hoping to travel to . Thanks again for all the work you put into this. Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherries in full bloom: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com, Last Update: February 28, 2023 (this page will be updated as needed). 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. Among fellow G7 countries, Japan has had some of the strictest rules it comes to border restrictions. Few countries around the world have been so cautious about reopening their borders to tourism after the cataclysmic shutdowns of 2020. Why Expecting Japan's Reopening to Tourism Before Summer 2022 at Best is Unrealistic. 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. It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. It kind of fell like a little community in here, like I know from Discord groups. 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. Setouchi Triennale (First Session from April 14th, 2022) 3. What we had here was a weird little community of sorts, and a really nice one considering the circumstances. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly plans to make a decision as early as the end of this week, according to the news outlets sources. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the news in September at a press conference. These include: checking body temperature on arrival, social distancing when possible and regularly sanitizing hands, in addition to wearing a mask. The government defended the program as a necessary stepping stone to open borders. I just got back from my first post re-opening trip to Japan, and am open to answering questions. Domestic criticism and lobbying have already allowed a significant easing of the restrictions. P.S. With all of this said, Ill present my revised best, worst, and base-case scenarios for Japans reopening to individual tourists, Lets start with the best-case scenario. However, Japan is now joining the rest of the world as people are ready to move on with life. That also offers tips for avoiding crowds and strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. Travel agencies eye discounts for those vaccinated for COVID-19. Would you consider visiting Japan later this year, or is international travel out of the question for you anytime soon? Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11th, and Japan is fully open for tourism. Either way, thats something to continue keeping in mind. 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