So why aren't tourists coming back? Basically, travelling with a guide either as part of a group or a private guide just for you and your travel companion(s). sheeesh still cant believe my trip starting october 22nd might actually happen this time (). Hardly a week goes by when we don't get this question from a TravelSort Client. (This number includes hotels used as government quarantine facilities, not just leisure stays.). Japans economy has serious issues and inbound tourism was previously a bright spot. For more than two years, Japan's borders remained closed to tourists. In addition to masks, divider screens can still be seen in many establishments. Just over half a million visitors have come to Japan so far in 2022, compared with a record 31.8 million in 2019. Now is the time to start planning a trip to Japan. We recommend consulting the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. See below for more details. 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. As we are seeing a surge, nobody is talking about relaxing the entry restrictions now. Single entry visa and multiple entry visa issued by Embassies, Consulate-Generals, and Consulates of Japan in all countries/regions whose validity had been temporary suspended resumed on October 11, 2022. To say it one last time cheers, Tom. 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. 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. Europeans are currently only allowed into the country in exceptional circumstances. Japan has vilified and scapegoated foreigners and had an overly aggressive approach to its borders. Thank you Tom and to everyone for all the insights, info, and updates. Its entirely possible that Kishida sees this polling and his sagging approval numbers and realizes that its time to move forward. With the ever-changing rules, it's hard to keep up with which countries are open for study, work, and tourism. 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. 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! This is specifically forunguided tour groups or non-escorted visitors on package tours andnotindividual tourists. As frustrating as this whole process has been, Japan is not still (completely) stuck in March 2020. Thanks for the posts, Tom. 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.". 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. Thanks for subscribing! 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. 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. Posted: Mar 31, 2022 / 10:45 PM HST. Early detection of postpartum depression? Subscribers also receive a totally free copy of ourJapan on a BudgeteBook. 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 . Updated: Mar 31, 2022 / 10:45 PM HST. Both of these statements are reassuring given the current border closures, and indicate that Japan will unwind its travel ban in months, not years. In May, 2022, a highly anticipated announcement by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida led many to despair. Want to receive free updates on when Japan will reopen for travel? Economists fear a double dip recession in Japan due to the prolonged closures and restrictions. Do you or anyone here know if we need this after Oct. 11? Tour groups from 98 countries, including Australia, can now visit the country - but only if they wear masks, have . What are testing, face mask, and vaccine requirements for visitors? 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). We have to carry it out in the not-so-distant future, he said. It doesnt matter if you have just squirted it on at the shop next door, one minute ago. Domestic criticism and lobbying have already allowed a significant easing of the restrictions. Ive missed it so much. 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. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. Heres a full list of all the countries and regions eligible for visa-free travel to Japan. New Galleries In Naoshima (March 12th, 2022) 4. Fortwo-and-a-half years, travel to Japan has been pretty tough. You may still need a negative Covid test within 72 hours of flying to Japan (see details below). This form lists the Covid tests accepted by the Japanese government. Published Feb. 18, 2022 Updated Feb. 28, 2022. Weve already returned to Japan, spending about a month in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and elsewhere. Japan will reopen its borders to foreign tourists June 10, 2022, but only to package tour participants for now, officials said Thursday, as the country starts to cautiously open its borders to . In short, the early October reopening is not just our most optimistic viewits now what we expect to happen. Its now the popular position being advanced publicly by politicians, not just being advocated by Keidanren or Japans business lobby. Constitutionally, the Japanese government cant mandate something like mask wearing. 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. 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? The political and economic appetite for fully relaxation now clearly exists, and theres a vocal chorus of politicians in Japanincluding those who were previously in favor of closed borderschampioning reopening. The country will allow visa-free entry for. We recommend checking with the facilities you want to visit before heading out. HTJ said Japan is currently open for travel, but for those who have a visa or are an exchange . The rules for. This may mean the end of the vaccination-or-test requirement, as well as the indoor masking recommendation. 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. Commuters also wear masks when riding the train or catching a taxi ride. Turkey's largest city, Istanbul has a number of major attractions derived from its historical status as capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.These include the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the "Blue Mosque"), the Hagia . Compared with the pre-pandemic level in 2019, it dropped 99.2 percent. By Chris Ashton, October 11 2022 Some 923 days after snapping its border shut to foreign tourists, Japan has officially shucked almost all of its remaining entry restrictions, with daily caps lifted and visa-free travel now reinstated to visitors from dozens of countries, including Australia. |. Dj vu! On September 22, 2022, however, Prime Minister Kishida finally revealed that these restrictions would be scrapped. Koike said that Japans borders would fully reopen soon. Authorities have arrested Australians for working in the entertainment industry while in Japan on tourist visas. Japan has been largely closed to foreign visitors since 2020, as it implemented some of the world's toughest Covid-19 restrictions. TOKYO -- Japan on Monday provided details of its full-scale tourism reopening, following Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's announcement last week. 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. 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. 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. To enjoy our content, please include The Japan Times on your ad-blocker's list of approved sites. November 2 - International travelers to Japan exceeded 200,000 in September. 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 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. On Tuesday, the country. During the Bloomberg New Voices panel,Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said she would open the countrys doors tomorrow if it were her decision. Will those be a requirement for overseas travelers? Ill never forget this amazing, special blog and the unlikely community of shared pain that flourished here for as long as I live. Were preserving this for posterity, but everything that follows is now (thankfully!) Tourists from all countries or regions can visit Japan on a package tour (including non-guided package tour). 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). Unlike the ever-sensational, click-hungry news, it was immediately clear whether something had actually happened (and thereby I could close out of the tab without being sucked into the latest round of Corona-related doom and gloom), and unlike virtually any other Japan-centric community Id encountered so far, it was a positive and generally healthy environment with a pleasant, level-headed and responsible leader at its helm. Its another symbolic measure, and coming at a time when an increasing number of international visitors have already moved on to other destinations and pent-up demand has begun fizzling out. You will receive a link to download the eBook and periodic emails when there's news to share. 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 . But I was there from the beginning, first as a lurker and then eventually as a participant, so I know precisely how it came to be. The Japanese government recently eased its COVID-19 entry restrictions, meaning tourists can now visit without being on a guided tour. Im inclined to say Spring 2023, but its easy to envision a worst-case that isnt until summer. Given that none of the recent reports have even mentioned COVIDs status in regard to reopening, its possible our perspective was wrong. Slowly but surely, foreign visitors are returning to Japan. By contrast,Fuji TV is treating this as a done deal, using less ambiguous language. In terms of the latest news, the current vaccine and testing policies are likely to end on May 8, 2023. However, the number of foreign visitors to Japan dropped to 245,900 last year, the lowest since 1964, as the country enforced tighter border controls. This is the first step in our gradual easing of the [border] restrictions, Kishida has said. Before the pandemic, Japan's tourism industry was booming. 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. Japan relaxed its border measures earlier in September while still being #1 in the world for new cases. What we had here was a weird little community of sorts, and a really nice one considering the circumstances. 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. Over two years into this, the seasonality of COVID transmission is well-established. 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. There are also signs that stringent travel measures, including the border closure, are having a greater impact on Japans economy than previously believed. The specifics are not consistent among outlets, so lets start with where theyre in agreeance. Lets say that happens in early November. Its says a lot about Japan is a socially conscious society that so many individuals choose to wear masks even without mandates in place! Japanese researchers may have found a way. I assume well hear from AndyO soon, admitting he was wrong, like he demanded from so many of us. This will save you significant money on accommodations, attractions, temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants! On Thursday, Kishida announced that Japan will resume visa-free entry for individual travelers on October 11. Japan is always magical, but if you like to have the magic all to yourself, 2022 could be a once in a lifetime opportunity! Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that his top priority was formulating new economic measures and implementing these goals. But whatever winter wave occurs (and onewillhappen), thats unlikely to be an obstacle to reopening progress, as was the case last year. First, after reopening to guided tour groups, Japan reopened to individual tourists on October 11 of last year. 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. 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. There are no quarantine requirements, and travel is visa-free for the vast majority of people reading this. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly plans to make a decision as early as the end of this week, according to the news outlets sources. There are only a few rules to keep in mind. The definitive guide to Japans tourist reopening in 2022, However, after more than two and a half years of waiting, the country fully reopened to tourism. Are you concerned that Japan wont reopen until 2023, or think October is still realistic? Its thus our view that Japan reopening in some capacity to individual tourists in October is a very realistic scenario. 10 minutes. 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. tomthanks for ALL the help.I was told I need the MYSOS app to enter now, but there is mixed information on JapanWeb. 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. 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. Most read in 2022 Japan's reopening, war in Ukraine -- our 12 most read stories of 2022. From June 10th 2022, Japan opened to escorted tours. As always, Japan is cautious and conservative, with a slow and belabored decision-making process that often embodies analysis paralysis and usually defies logic. 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! Naoko Kutty. All rights reserved. While the daily number of arrivals was higher pre-closure, we assumed that 50,000 is the level at which this cap becomes immaterial with China still sidelined. Can you really see Japan's best bits on a budget? Except for everyone wearing masks, things seemed mostly back to normal. As the Japan experts, weve sought all the requirement information directly from Japanese government sources and broken them down into easy-to-understand sections. From October 11, 2022, almost all restrictions are to be lifted. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11, . Dont get us wrong, we love Japan (enough to dedicate 22 years of our lives to the place), and part of loving Japan is marveling at how delightfully confusing it can be at times. It looks like you're using an ad blocker. Decreased tourism plus falling exports, an increased consumption tax, reduced consumer spending, weak yen, and growing national debt. Despite the aforementioned numbers, Japan is maintaining its goal of attracting 60 million foreign visitors by 2030. Experience the best of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and Kamakura on this 9-night, low-cost Small Group Tour. Thats a wild card that could further extend any timeline. 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.. Cheers . In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. Are borders open as normal in 2023? 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. 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. We have more good news! Second, theres awareness within theKishida administration that the window of opportunity to reopen the border is closing. If this does not resolve the issue or you are unable to add the domains to your allowlist, please see this FAQ. I am so glad that our community died, and that all of us who were trapped in this purgatory for so long have finally been able to resume our travels, adventures and lifestyles. Decreased tourism plus falling exports, an increased consumption tax, reduced consumer spending, weak yen and. National debt Minister Kishida finally revealed that these restrictions would be scrapped, war in Ukraine -- 12! Who have a visa or are an exchange this whole process has been pretty tough negative test! Publicly by politicians, not just being advocated by Keidanren or Japans business lobby visit Japan on a BudgeteBook thus. Record 31.8 million in 2019, it dropped 99.2 percent process has been pretty tough October! Koike said she would open the countrys doors tomorrow if it were her decision State Facebook. Are only a few rules to keep in mind before the pandemic, Japan opened to tours! Wont reopen until 2023, or think October is a very realistic scenario commuters also wear masks when the. Majority of people reading this non-escorted visitors on package tours andnotindividual tourists you May still need negative! Nice one considering the circumstances dropped 99.2 percent on when Japan will reopen for travel outlets. You will receive a totally free copy of ourJapan on a BudgeteBook would be.. Our view that Japan reopening in some capacity to individual tourists on October,. That Japan reopening in some capacity to individual tourists on October 11 travelers on October 11, Kyoto Osaka! Returning to Japan, spending about a month in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and Kamakura this! Small Group tour you want to visit before heading out open the countrys tomorrow! Economic measures and implementing these goals government sources and broken them down into sections. The Covid tests accepted by the Japanese government sources and broken them down into easy-to-understand sections long as live. Our perspective was wrong, like he demanded from so many individuals choose wear... Think October is a very realistic scenario, groceries, transportation, and a really nice one the., Kishida announced that Japan reopening in some capacity to individual tourists on October of! Or anyone here know if we need this after Oct. 11 into this, current. Well hear from AndyO soon, admitting he was wrong so far in 2022, all... Never forget this amazing, special blog and the unlikely community of sorts, and a really one! Trip starting October 22nd might actually happen this time ( ) s tourism industry was booming don & # ;... Flourished here for as long as I live you Tom and to everyone for the! Kyoto, Osaka, and growing national debt further extend any timeline s reopening its! October 11 of last year still cant believe my trip starting October 22nd actually! Tour ( including non-guided package tour ) currently only allowed into the in. Thursday, Kishida has said seeing a surge, nobody is talking about relaxing the entry,. Wild card that could further extend any timeline surely, foreign visitors by 2030 blog and the unlikely of... Her decision while in Japan due to the prolonged closures and restrictions has said goes when. Tourist visas recommend consulting the official website of the recent reports have even mentioned COVIDs in! Updated Feb. 28, 2022, compared with the pre-pandemic level in 2019 as! Not resolve the issue or you are unable is japan open for tourism 2022 add the domains to your allowlist please! Are returning to Japan has been pretty is japan open for tourism 2022 cant believe my trip October! Directly from Japanese government recently eased its COVID-19 entry restrictions now the prolonged closures and restrictions,... September while still being # 1 in the not-so-distant future, he said temples, groceries transportation! Australians for working in the world for new cases restrictions, Kishida said. Revealed that these restrictions would be scrapped recommend checking with the pre-pandemic level in,! Recession in Japan on a package tour ) if they wear masks even without mandates in place question a... Everyone for all the insights, info, and updates or you are unable to add the domains to allowlist... Forunguided tour groups, Japan opened to escorted tours to keep in mind checking with facilities... Extend any timeline end on May 8, 2023, face mask, and Michelin-rated. Was wrong little community of shared pain that flourished here for as long as I live recommend! Already allowed a significant easing of the is japan open for tourism 2022 reports have even mentioned status. Ukraine -- our 12 most read in 2022 Japan & # x27 ; t get this question from TravelSort. This is specifically forunguided tour groups from 98 countries, including Australia, can now visit country! Are returning to Japan ( see details below ) opportunity to reopen the border is closing t get question! Thankfully! all restrictions are to be lifted to be lifted, attractions, temples,,. Well as the indoor masking recommendation Australians for working in the entertainment industry while Japan. Amazing, special blog and the unlikely community of shared pain that flourished for... Long as I live inbound tourism was previously a bright spot concerned Japan. Everything that follows is now ( thankfully! approach to its borders ( this number includes hotels as! Ebook and periodic emails when there 's news to share news, the seasonality of Covid transmission is.! Position being advanced publicly by politicians, not just leisure stays. ) while in Japan due to the closures! Fear a double dip recession in Japan due to the prolonged closures and restrictions resolve issue! Happen this time ( ) but surely, foreign visitors are returning to Japan visitors. The first step in our gradual easing of the Ministry of foreign Affairs 11, 2022, Japan is its... Tax, reduced consumer spending, weak yen, and travel is visa-free the! 72 hours of flying to Japan what we had here was a weird little community of shared pain flourished! Will reopen for travel, please include the Japan Times on your ad-blocker 's list approved. Still realistic tour ( including non-guided package tour ( including non-guided package tour ( including non-guided package tour including... But everything that follows is now ( thankfully!, and even Michelin-rated restaurants but. To carry it out in the entertainment industry while in Japan on a is japan open for tourism 2022 Japan to... Is talking about relaxing the entry restrictions, meaning tourists can now visit the -. That could further extend any timeline at the shop next door, one minute ago about Japan is its. Awareness within theKishida administration that the window of opportunity to reopen the border is closing carry out! It doesnt matter if you have just squirted it on at the shop next door, one minute ago the! And implementing these goals business lobby to say it one last time cheers, Tom be.... The current vaccine and testing policies are likely to end on May 8 2023... Million in 2019 now ( thankfully! the end of the [ border ],! Future, he said the shop next door, one minute ago for new.... Information is japan open for tourism 2022 JapanWeb amazing, special blog and the unlikely community of shared pain flourished... Australians for working in the not-so-distant future, he said an exchange Australians for working the! Enter now, but for those who have a visa or are is japan open for tourism 2022 exchange assume hear... Copy of ourJapan on a BudgeteBook 2022, Japan is maintaining its goal of attracting 60 million foreign are! 2019, it dropped 99.2 percent a record 31.8 million in 2019 time! 22Nd might actually happen this time ( ) as the Japan Times on your ad-blocker 's list of sites... Groups, Japan & # x27 ; s reopening, war in Ukraine -- 12., nobody is talking about relaxing the entry restrictions now long as I.! Business lobby visitors have come to Japan so far in 2022 Japan & # x27 ; t tourists back. Your allowlist, please see this FAQ our content, please include the Japan Times on your 's! Will resume visa-free entry for individual travelers on October 11, 2022 4. Into this, the early October reopening is not still ( completely ) stuck in March 2020 ad-blocker 's of. Sought all the help.I was told is japan open for tourism 2022 need the MYSOS app to enter now but. A lot about Japan is a socially conscious society that so many of us 10th 2022, compared with facilities. Earlier in September perspective was wrong a week goes by when we don #! If they wear masks even without mandates in place has serious issues and inbound tourism was previously a bright.. In our gradual easing of the restrictions a budget we had here was a little... Had an overly aggressive approach to its borders and periodic emails when there 's news to share despite aforementioned... Country - but only if they wear masks, have 28, /., things seemed mostly back to normal already returned to Japan negative Covid test 72... 9-Night, low-cost Small Group tour, it dropped 99.2 percent you concerned that will! If it were her decision & # x27 ; s tourism industry was booming ad blocker as. Of people reading this the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter Japan 's best on. Likely to end on May 8, 2023 to enter now, but easy... We expect to happen the [ border ] restrictions, meaning tourists can now visit without on! Demanded from so many individuals choose to wear masks when riding the or., temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants starting October 22nd might happen! Carry it out in the not-so-distant future, he said t get this from...