even if theyre off for a jog or on a bicycle. 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? That theres more upside than downside risk in reopening and encouraging more economic activity. Who knowsit still may take until early 2023 to fully downgrade the legal status of COVID. HTJ said Japan is currently open for travel, but for those who have a visa or are an exchange . Those two posts cover essentially everything you need to know about visiting Japan as of 2023. Given that Japan is now open, its time to start planning a trip. Our trips to Japan come in two travel styles: Check out our Small Group Tours departures calendar, Check out our Best of Japan itinerary its perfect as inspiration for a first-time trip. Essentially, there will be no (legal) basis for the current border protocol effective May 8, 2023. Thats a wild card that could further extend any timeline. Thatll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. It kind of fell like a little community in here, like I know from Discord groups. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11th, and Japan is fully open for tourism. And even now, as it opens its borders to tourists from nearly. Japanese researchers may have found a way. As always, Japan is cautious and conservative, with a slow and belabored decision-making process that often embodies analysis paralysis and usually defies logic. 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). even if theyre off for a jog or on a bicycle. 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. Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites. At the time of writing, Japan has been experiencing around 36,000 new cases a day new cases a day. That'll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. Hi Tom, The national border is under the management of central government, Koike said. Visa-free, independent travel is now possible for most nationalities. Save. Its possible the country views this as sufficient for tourism businesses to stave off bankruptcy or other financial hardship for another few months. 1. 2022. To enter Japan tourists simply need to: Return a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure, OR provide a valid Covid-19 certificate of having had at least 3 vaccine doses (the certificate needs to be uploaded onto Visit Japan web) Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. 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. Previously, travellers were required to join a tour group to enter Japan for leisure. Basically, travelling with a guide either as part of a group or a private guide just for you and your travel companion(s). From the beginning this page was the only place I checked (sometimes daily) for hope. Then, on September 7th, independent travel became possible, but still needed to be booked through a government-authorised agency and required a visa. Plus:youll soon be able to spend six weeks in Thailand, visa-free. Speaking of which, check out ourJapan Fall Colors Forecast & Autumn Foliage Viewing Guideto get started on planning your trip to visit Japans popular fall foliage cities, including Kyoto, Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Himeji, and Nara. Thanks Tom, and everyone! On 10 June 2022, Japan finally started allowing international tourists into the country for the first time in . If you are unvaccinated, you have to take a pre-departure test. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, Japan welcomed 31.9 million . 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). 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. Any thoughts or tips of your own to add? Japans decision last month to drop pre-departure testing, a full list of all the countries and regions eligible for visa-free travel to Japan, huge demand from travellers to visit without booking through an agency, youll soon be able to spend six weeks in Thailand, visa-free. Im very glad its dead but am also appreciative of what existed while it did. In May, 2022, a highly anticipated announcement by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida led many to despair. 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. If youre planning a trip to the Japan, check outour other posts about Japanfor ideas on other things to do! However, after more than two and a half years of waiting, the country fully reopened to tourism. Updated overall advisory level after periodic review. Our view is that the worst-case scenario is nowhighlyunlikely. Its says a lot about Japan is a socially conscious society that so many individuals choose to wear masks even without mandates in place! Decreased tourism plus falling exports, an increased consumption tax, reduced consumer spending, weak yen, and growing national debt. If you are triple vaccinated, you do not have to take a pre-departure test. 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. . From 11th October onwards, visa-free travel will resume, and all arrival caps are being removed as well. 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. (Im sorry, I cant help myself. Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. Validity of visas issued under "Business Track" / "Residence Track" or "New border measures (4)" is suspended for the time being. Lets 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. To differentiate the two, Ill also allow for a middle ground possibility of a bifurcated decision with the individual tourist reopening a few weeks after the entry cap elimination. 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. Traveling in Japan without constraint as a tourist is possible from October 11, 2022. As for why Japans border is still closed over a year after most democracies reopened, that can largely be explained by the countrys apprehensiveness of outsiders. Aug 31, 2022. Explore our latest brochure for Japan trip inspiration. Coronavirus . In such a scenario, the borders could almost immediately return to their normal pre-closure status in early October. What about proof of vaccination? 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. Wherever you choose! That may soon change. The rules for. Hospitalizations and mortality remain relatively low. 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. By September 14, 2022 Credit: Depositphotos Advertisement After. All rights reserved. Dj vu! 10 minutes. Japan is finally open to independent travellers - and has now lifted even more border restrictions Written by James Manning Wednesday 12 October 2022 For two-and-a-half years, travel to. Thanks, [] to individual tourists for the duration of the festivities. Subscribers also receive a totally free copy of ourJapan on a BudgeteBook. The downgrade would pave the way for a normalization of social and economic activities in Japan, and should mean that non-residents are able to enter the country without PCR tests or additional paperwork. However, for a child below the age of 18 who is traveling with their parents, this is the policy (this is direct from a Japanese consulate email): For children under the age of 18 who do not hold a valid vaccination certificate three times. We have all the answers you need about Japans full border opening on 11. It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. Another possibility is that Japan will allow individual foreign tourists to enter the country andexempt them from visas if they have been vaccinated three times or submit a pre-arrival test result. This includes business travelers on short stays, students in study abroad programs, participants in technical internships, both guided & unguided tour groups, spouses or children (and other relatives) of a Japanese national/permanent resident, others with special exceptional circumstances, and those who would provide a public benefit to Japan. Japan is now allowing foreign nationals to enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. Visit our main site to read more about this topic or contact one of our specialists. Its thus our view that Japan reopening in some capacity to individual tourists in October is a very realistic scenario. If youre planning a trip to Japan, there are some things you should do now. See details here. Japan, like much of the world, has changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. If/when theres another winter resurgence in cases, the reopening can would effectively be kicked down the road for a few more months. First, there is consensus that the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000, will be eliminated entirely. But from 11 Oct 2022, travellers are free to explore Japan independently . But Japans border opening approach? . Your updates were by far the best I could find on the internet and helped lots of us getting through this (dare I say; emotional) rollercoaster the past several years. Kishidas government has been trying to take advantage of the weak yen and accelerate growth by attracting more foreign visitors. That also offers tips for avoiding crowds and strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. Experience the best of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and Kamakura on this 9-night, low-cost Small Group Tour. Heres a full list of all the countries and regions eligible for visa-free travel to Japan. We have all the answers you need about Japan's full border opening on 11th October 2022. We will update this page as information changes. Setouchi Triennale (First Session from April 14th, 2022) 3. Heres what you need to know. Thank you so much for this free and respectful space for everyones opinions that has helped us get through these difficult years. Join a tour group to enter Japan for leisure its dead but am also appreciative of existed. Piano.Io to your list of allowed sites, its time to start planning a trip to the Japan tourism,! Consumption tax, reduced consumer spending, weak yen, and evening illuminations current border protocol effective 8. Offers tips for avoiding crowds and strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and potentially save time the! 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