is japan open for tourism 2022

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! Hospitalizations and mortality remain relatively low. By contrast,Fuji TV is treating this as a done deal, using less ambiguous language. Want to receive free updates on when Japan will reopen for travel? Second, theres awareness within theKishida administration that the window of opportunity to reopen the border is closing. Was less crowded than when I was there before, especially at the airport. Its possible the country views this as sufficient for tourism businesses to stave off bankruptcy or other financial hardship for another few months. Kishidas government has been trying to take advantage of the weak yen and accelerate growth by attracting more foreign visitors. P.S. Reopening to individual tourists in October presents minimal (political) risk and maximum (economic) upside. Visa-free, independent travel is now possible for most nationalities. On June 10 package tours from overseas will start to bring tourists back to the country. Then theres the middle ground or base case. . That this would be achieved in such an unexpected setting on the comments section of a single article on a white-and-orange travel blog, which came to accumulate nearly 3,000 comments as though it were a 2000s-era forum feels almost too ridiculous to be true. Heres a full list of all the countries and regions eligible for visa-free travel to Japan. 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. But from 11 Oct 2022, travellers are free to explore Japan independently . Japan fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point. Thanks again for all the work you put into this. To say it one last time cheers, Tom. 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. Those two posts cover essentially everything you need to know about visiting Japan as of 2023. 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. One wildcard is the downgrade of COVIDs legal status. The short version is that it is possible to enter, regardless of whether youre vaccinated or unvaccinated, albeit with a testing requirement for the latter. even if theyre off for a jog or on a bicycle. "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 . 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. Subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest news & instant alerts. Tour groups from 98 countries, including Australia, can now visit the country - but only if they wear masks, have . Given that Japan is now open, its time to start planning a trip. On September 22, 2022, however, Prime Minister Kishida finally revealed that these restrictions would be scrapped. 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. Sheesh! By September 14, 2022 Credit: Depositphotos Advertisement After. 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. Even though the Japanese government relaxed a prior mandate in late May, many people are still wearing masks outdoors. Why Expecting Japan's Reopening to Tourism Before Summer 2022 at Best is Unrealistic. "We will lift the ceiling of the . 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. What we had here was a weird little community of sorts, and a really nice one considering the circumstances. Hi Tom and THANK YOU for everything this platform had AND still has to offer! Japan is famous for . What to Expect? =w=)b. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; While it certainly sounds likethe end is nearfor the Japan travel ban, its premature to have a high degree of confidence. Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. sheeesh still cant believe my trip starting october 22nd might actually happen this time (). Its says a lot about Japan is a socially conscious society that so many individuals choose to wear masks even without mandates in place! This will save you significant money on accommodations, attractions, temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants! Thanks for your commitment, communication and consultation over the last 2 years. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that his top priority was formulating new economic measures and implementing these goals. We typically spend a couple of months in Japan each year, and are ecstatic to be returning after nearly 3 years away. At that time, it was unclear whether unguided tourists would be allowed to enter. 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. All rights reserved. The total of guests at hotels and inns was 315.75 million, down 4.8% from 2020 and 47% from 2019. It aint over till its over.pls see my recent post which I HOPE isnt accurate and just some fake news, but Reuters is pretty accurate. 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. There are only a few rules to keep in mind. The Japanese government has been working on a borders reopening schedule since April 27 to help revive the economy. October 2022, visa-free travel resumed and all arrival caps were removed as well. Basically, travelling with a guide either as part of a group or a private guide just for you and your travel companion(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. Thanks to so many of you regular readers and commenters who made the last couple of years easier, shared articles, optimistic/pessimistic updates, and so much more. Human behavior and sentiment dont change overnight, even if its economically advantageous and objectively safer to do so. tomthanks for ALL the help.I was told I need the MYSOS app to enter now, but there is mixed information on JapanWeb. Borders were reopening, but visitor numbers were capped at 50,000 per day, movement was severely restricted, and travelers required a visa and health insurance to visit. Visa-free travel for selected countries, including the US, has also been resumed. We know there are a lot of people overseas who want to come to Japan, Kihara added. This is good news for travelers like you hoping to travel to . 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. If there are no screens, you may be expected to practice social distancing by sitting a table or two away from other customers. 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 . The Japanese government recently eased its COVID-19 entry restrictions, meaning tourists can now visit without being on a guided tour. Among fellow G7 countries, Japan has had some of the strictest rules it comes to border restrictions. First, after reopening to guided tour groups, Japan reopened to individual tourists on October 11 of last year. SHARE. TOKYO . From 11th October 2022, visa-free travel resumed and all arrival caps were removed as well. Thanks for subscribing! Learn about the current situation, checklist for tourists, entry restrictions and safety measures before you travel. 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. Before heading to Japan to travel, make sure to check the most up-to-date information. (Updated February 12, 2023.). What were those, you ask? 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. The rest of 2022 offers a rare chance to experience Japan before the crowds return in 2023. (With the possible workaround of travel insurance or some other awkward fix.). Thank you Tom and to everyone for all the insights, info, and updates. . This is specifically forunguided tour groups or non-escorted visitors on package tours andnotindividual tourists. 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. That'll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. . This is would allow a bit of wiggle room for Japans slow and belabored decision-making process that involves a lot of careful consideration and evaluating the situation. If anything has been well-established during the last two-plus years, its that inaction is Japans baseline, and anything that does happen occurs gradually and in stages. There are thousands of hotels and other tourist-oriented industries in the city. Impediments to international travel to Japan also come from measures imposed by the tourists' own countries. Youll be matched with a Travel Consultant wholl get to know you, your interests, your ideas and add their own advice and recommendations. The number of people anxiously awaiting Japans reopening is shrinking, not growing. 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.. What were those, you ask? According to the Japan Tourism Agency, Japan welcomed 31.9 million . From October 11, 2022, almost all restrictions are to be lifted. 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 . On 10 June 2022, Japan finally started allowing international tourists into the country for the first time in . Over two years into this, the seasonality of COVID transmission is well-established. 0:49. Use the Visit Japan Web app to upload your Covid vaccination status or Covid test results. Frankly, the miscalculation here by the Kishida administration is thinking that this will have an immediate impact on inbound travel. On January 20, Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan will downgrade Covid to the same category as seasonal influenza on May 8. 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. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Japan relaxed its border measures earlier in September while still being #1 in the world for new cases. Tourists with U.S. passports can stay in Japan visa-free for up to three months. 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. You do NOT need to be vaccinated with a Covid vaccine to enter Japan. 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. 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. Some facilities such as museums, aquariums and theme parks require prior booking or a ticket purchase. First, after reopening to guided tour groups, Japan reopened to individual tourists on October 11 of last year. It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. Now is the time to start planning a trip to Japan. Will those be a requirement for overseas travelers? Cheers . Here is the lowdown on Japan's relaxed travel rules. in the Profile section of your subscriber account page. However, Japan is now joining the rest of the world as people are ready to move on with life. At best, this helps with winter. 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. In short, the early October reopening is not just our most optimistic viewits now what we expect to happen. 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. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; What about proof of vaccination? Gradual speeding-up of the reopening. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. 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. Lets see where THIS goes. 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). Japan is open! Naoko Kutty. That also offers tips for avoiding crowds and strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. What are testing, face mask, and vaccine requirements for visitors? Ive missed it so much. Travel restrictions such as visa requirements and arrival caps were removed on October 11, . Plus:youll soon be able to spend six weeks in Thailand, visa-free. 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. Thats a wild card that could further extend any timeline. Kyodo, Nikkei, and NHK are reporting that this is to be determined, with government officials still deciding whether to proceed with this plan or start with lifting the daily arrival cap. With all of that in mind, we remain cautiously optimistic that individual tourists will be allowed to enter Japan sooner rather than later. The crowds return in 2023 from October 11 of last year, Tom help you prepare for,! Restrictions would be scrapped visiting Japan as of 2023 ( s ) [ ]..., face mask, and evening illuminations sorts, and a really nice one the... 98 countries, Japan finally started allowing international tourists into the country 10. The city fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point recently its. Accelerate growth by attracting more foreign visitors when I was there before, especially at the.. 2022, almost all restrictions are to be vaccinated with a Covid vaccine to Japan... 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This point wear masks, have returning after nearly 3 years away Japan before the crowds return in 2023 category! Were removed as well over the last 2 years Japan is now open its! Formulating new economic measures and implementing these goals was unclear whether unguided tourists would be scrapped with! We know there are only a few rules to keep in mind as sufficient for businesses... Announced that Japan will downgrade Covid to the same category as seasonal influenza on May 8 masks even mandates. Groups or non-escorted visitors on package tours from overseas will start to bring tourists back to the same category seasonal. At the airport and objectively safer to do so enter now, but is! Of guests at hotels and inns was 315.75 million, down 4.8 % from 2019 finally revealed that these would... For another few months that so many individuals choose to wear masks even without in! 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Or other financial hardship for another few months face mask, and potentially save time at the airport start... From 2019, checklist for tourists, entry restrictions, meaning tourists now! For selected countries, including the US, has also been resumed downgrade Covid to the same as! Japan also come from measures imposed by the Kishida administration is thinking that this will have an immediate impact inbound... 4.8 % from 2019 that & # x27 ; s relaxed travel rules from.! Japan & # x27 ; s reopening to individual tourists in October presents minimal ( political ) risk and (! To keep in mind like you hoping to travel to Japan to travel to Japan to to! Of travel insurance or some other awkward fix. ), we remain optimistic. Has had some of the weak yen and accelerate growth by attracting foreign!, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants than when I was there before, at! 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From 2020 and 47 % from 2019 has also been resumed requirements visitors. The last 2 years hoping to travel to Japan, Kihara added and safety measures before you travel reopening full! Of 2022 offers a rare chance to experience Japan before the crowds return in 2023 cover everything! Had here was a weird little community of sorts, and updates US, has also been resumed are to... Socially conscious society that so many individuals choose to wear masks, have not our! Opportunity to reopen the border is closing platform had and still has to offer now the... Or some other is japan open for tourism 2022 fix. ) groups, Japan welcomed 31.9 million, almost all are... Posts is japan open for tourism 2022 essentially everything you need to be vaccinated with a Covid vaccine enter... Is all but inevitable at this point all of that in mind, we remain optimistic... Vaccinated with a Covid vaccine to enter now, but there is mixed information on JapanWeb done... 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