Wow, i cant believe it. For now, however. All rights reserved. Its possible the country views this as sufficient for tourism businesses to stave off bankruptcy or other financial hardship for another few months. 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. Japan is now allowing foreign nationals to enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. We humbly apologize for the inconvenience. 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. TOKYO, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Japan's government is planning to waive tourist visa requirements from some countries as part of a further easing of border controls enacted to stop the spread of COVID . We recommend checking with the facilities you want to visit before heading out. Required fields are marked *, Free Money-Saving eBook & Japan Email Updates, https://www.travelcaffeine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mount-fuji-sunrise-field-autumn-foliage-japan-bricker.jpg, https://www.travelcaffeine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/travel-caffeine-new-logo-2.jpg, Is Japan Open to Tourists? See my one page guide, Buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at, Compare Japan flight prices and timings to, If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a. P.S. 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. Japan Tourism: The decision means Japan will allow in a limited number of foreign . 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. 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. Japan's tourism industry is still waiting for the country's borders to fully reopen [File: Kentaro Takahashi/Bloomberg] (Bloomberg) When Japan implemented a blanket ban on inbound tourists in. 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. Hardly a week goes by when we don't get this question from a TravelSort Client. Will those be a requirement for overseas travelers? (See above 'Latest News') Short-term travelers to Japan will be allowed to enter Japan without a visa. Japans economy has serious issues and inbound tourism was previously a bright spot. The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party recognizes these problems and realizes it needs to rebuild Japans economy. 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. Heres the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa-free travel list. We are eager to revisit our favorite places, see friends in Japan for the first time in over two years, and continue creating this sites wealth of free planning resources. Moreover, how this played out with Japans last announcement is also instructive. 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.". Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. See our, If you are boosted with a Covid vaccine, you do not need a negative Covid test before flying to Japan. In short, the early October reopening is not just our most optimistic viewits now what we expect to happen. Ghibli Park (November 1st, 2022) 2. Citizens of 68 countries now get visa-free travel to Japan. Like a moth to a flame.). With this, the visa exemption would be reinstated, making that a non-issue. It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. Visit our sister brand Inside Asia Tours. With all of that in mind, we remain cautiously optimistic that individual tourists will be allowed to enter Japan sooner rather than later. 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. Contents. First, after reopening to guided tour groups, Japan reopened to individual tourists on October 11 of last year. 2. We were wrongthe unguided tours offered two steps forward but one step backwards. In Japan, customers are expected to sanitize their hands when entering shops and restaurants. So, it seems the country is finallyon the road to properly welcoming travellers again and thats something that we can all get very excited about. Its pretty clear the government is focused on moving forward. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name We recommend carrying a tube of hand cream, as some formulas can be quite drying. Boosting tourism was core to the late former Prime Minister Abes economic revitalization, and both subsequent prime ministers have indicated their intentions to maintain continuity with those plans. 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. If you are triple vaccinated, you do not have to take a pre-departure test. This indicates that Japan is finally ready to move forward and sets the precedent for future changes during waves. 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. Autumn is already a lost cause. Im so excited and happy for everyone! These are all our latest exclusive holiday, vacation and tour offers brought to you from InsideJapan Tours. It was finally announced that from October 11, 2022, the borders would be reopening to visa-free tourists. But whatever winter wave occurs (and onewillhappen), thats unlikely to be an obstacle to reopening progress, as was the case last year. At best, this helps with winter. Think those will stick around for several months, or are simply theater to shift public opinion? 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. . This may mean the end of the vaccination-or-test requirement, as well as the indoor masking recommendation. Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherries in full bloom: Japan Airlines planes at Narita International Airport: Guide to the Visit Japan Web app and Japan Entry Procedures, Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto), Kyoto Walking Tour 1: Nanzen-ji Temple to Yoshida-jinja Shrine, Kyoto Walking Tour 2: Tofuku-ji Temple to Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, Kyoto Walking Tour 3: Classic Southern Higashiyama, A Guide to the Visit Japan Web app and Japan Entry Procedures, Kyoto Itineraries for Families with Children, Kyoto One-Day Off-the-Beaten-Track Cherry Blossom Itinerary, The Most Romantic Hotels and Ryokan in Kyoto. 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. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? What were those, you ask? 2022, Japan removed visa requirements and arrival caps, returning to pre-pandemic travel arrangements. Tour groups from 98 countries, including Australia, can now visit the country - but only if they wear masks, have . The national border is under the management of central government, Koike said. As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. Trying a bit of everything is the best way to get beneath the surface of this fascinating country. Yes, visa free tourism resumed October 11, 2022. Public opinion polls show that most voters have already moved on from COVID to assorted scandals; the minority who still care will see no immediate increase in cases correlating with the border reopening. This will save you significant money on accommodations, attractions, temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants! I just got back from my first post re-opening trip to Japan, and am open to answering questions. mean getting rid of the mask. Basically, travelling with a guide either as part of a group or a private guide just for you and your travel companion(s). 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. Now is the time to start planning a trip to Japan. If youre planning a trip to the Japan, check outour other posts about Japanfor ideas on other things to do! Tourists from all countries or regions can visit Japan on a package tour (including non-guided package tour). 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. This was a great place to keep up to date on the happenings. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; If youve received three vaccine doses, you dont need to take a pre-travel Covid test. 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. Visit our main site to read more about this topic or contact one of our specialists. Japan, like much of the world, has changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We already have this email. 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. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Japan. Were preserving this for posterity, but everything that follows is now (thankfully!) 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! It also intends to abolish the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000, the report added. In such a scenario, the borders could almost immediately return to their normal pre-closure status in early October. . New Galleries In Naoshima (March 12th, 2022) 4. 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. 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. 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. 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. Japansreclassification of COVID-19 to Class 5 came after a panel of experts under the health ministry agreed on the plan earlier in the day. It could start as soon as late November, but is more likely in December. Japan has vilified and scapegoated foreigners and had an overly aggressive approach to its borders. oh wow!! If you're not sure how to activate it, please refer to this 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. 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. 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. 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