Japan will close its borders to all foreigners from Tuesday, . Nov. Dec. Then Covid hit. The Government of Japan announced a policy of resuming entry by individual travellers for tourism purposes beginning on October 11. Was great being here. Tourism is a big industry in Tokyo, as well as in all Japan, so this is the time to greet more foreign tourists by using this advantage of the depreciation of the yen, she said. Morgan Stanley Research analysts expect China to broadly reopen in the second half of 2022 and move away from the Zero-COVID policy by the end of this year. 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week, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is in New York to deliver an address at the U.N. General [], Your email address will not be published. This is the end weve all be anxiously awaiting for ~2 years! Can you write one last update about the boarder being opened. Sheesh! 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. In today's Face-to-Face interview, Professor Wolfgang Arlt, founder and CEO of the China Outbound . Mon 10 Oct 2022 23.22 EDT Last modified on Tue 11 Oct 2022 07.34 EDT Japan has fully opened its doors to visitors after more than two years of pandemic isolation. Prefer a couple of nights in a location rather than one night stays, possibly use a location as a central point for a couple of stays 3. It also will see the opening of the TIAD luxury hotel in the buzzy Sakae/Shin-Sakae entertainment districts, after the opening of the art deco hotel The Tower Hotel Nagoya (2020) on the upper levels of Nagoyas TV tower, with the large beams of the tower as a centrepiece within each room. With the relaxed travel measures, Japan is fully prepared to host these events. Regardless, its good to have this removed as it eliminates an element of uncertainty and could have been an issue during peak travel times for the Japanese. For now, direct flights from China can only land at the Narita, Haneda, Kansai and Chubu airports. Japan fully reopened its borders to tourists on October 11, 2022. This was a great place to keep up to date on the happenings. PP PRITESH C PATEL 10 months ago How about Sept, Oct? Japan reopens: Heres what to look forward to in 2023, Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions (MICE), Destination NaJomtien BanAmphur BangSaray *NEW*, *NEW*, Affordable Luxury in Thailand by Centara Hotels, Rising Above the Oridinary by Conrad Bangkok, Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), 5 reasons why traditional travel protection is obsolete, 5 reasons why Cross Hotels & Resorts is APACs hotel operator of choice, Wake up at the magnificent Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions). Yuen Bettei Daita ryokan traditional accommodation, illi Shimokitazawa studio apartment rentals and Mustard Hotel affordable (even by the hour) room rates, have made staying in Shimokitazawa more feasible alongside new boutique and food facilities like Bonus Track, Reload, tefu Lounge and Mikan Shimokita. 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? TEL: 0120-248-668 (Japanese only) . Japan also began allowing unguided tours, meaning ones not accompanied by tour conductors. Then theres the middle ground or base case. The total of guests at hotels and inns was 315.75 million, down 4.8% from 2020 and 47% from 2019. It takes the shape of a long wooden sky deck on various levels encompassing an open-air deck for meditation, wooden rooms with tatami made for overnight stays, study/contemplation rooms and a restaurant serving fresh seasonal cuisine. Currently, citizens of 68 countries and regions will be allowed to . Well keep watching the news and keep you posted if/when there are further developments about Japan reopening and allowing entry to travelers from the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond. We had a nice little community here, and that was greatly appreciated. Updated August 23 2022 Japan has eased border control measures several times in. In terms of the latest news, the current vaccine and testing policies are likely to end on May 8, 2023. Airlines will also be allowed to operate direct flights from China to more Japanese airports, Matsuno said. [1/2] Passengers on a plane from China's capital Beijing arrive at Narita international airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan January 8, 2023.REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 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. This is a necessary prerequisite for further reopening and the resumption of more inbound international flights, but this alone was not an obstacle dissuading most international visitors. The resumption of individual travel to Japan and visa waivers, and the elimination of the daily arrival cap will allow international visitors to enjoy Japan in more ways than in the past two-and-a-half years. In short, the early October reopening is not just our most optimistic viewits now what we expect to happen. 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.. Think those will stick around for several months, or are simply theater to shift public opinion? I already moved on to read your other Japan travel posts to get tips which are also so helpful! It was, indeed, a rare bright spot in such a dark, sad time. so its confirmed Thanks so much Tom. Just booked my accommodation/flights/insurance/rail pass for a 22 day trip to Hiroshima, Fukui, Kanazawa, Nagoya and Osaka! Can I Travel to Japan Now? Moreover, how this played out with Japans last announcement is also instructive. With the yen weak, tourism has the potential to provide an . Despite the aforementioned numbers, Japan is maintaining its goal of attracting 60 million foreign visitors by 2030. From the beginning this page was the only place I checked (sometimes daily) for hope. Japan is open to travel. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; Im inclined to say Spring 2023, but its easy to envision a worst-case that isnt until summer. This is specifically forunguided tour groups or non-escorted visitors on package tours andnotindividual tourists. That also offers tips for avoiding crowds and strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. 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. 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. 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. Visit Japan Web App also let me pre fill out for immigration and customs, and just use the QR codes for those as well. Two years after their Euro 2008 triumph, Spain went to South Africa determined to make history-but they would have to overcome defensive tactics, lunging tackles and intense media scrutiny. 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. As governor of Tokyo, that would be tomorrow.. despite protests. From September 7, 2022, the country plans to drop pre-departure testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers (including one booster dose). The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. (With the possible workaround of travel insurance or some other awkward fix.). Everybody have a great trip! Think the need to adapt and live with the endemic virus will outweigh fear when it comes to Japans reopening plans? Best wishes to everyone on your travels!! However, Japan is now joining the rest of the world as people are ready to move on with life. Like a moth to a flame.). Will be heading back again in a couple of weeks. It could start as soon as late November, but is more likely in December. oh wow!! From Sept. 22nd, In a Reuters report published on The Japan Times, the government may allow hotels to refuse entry to guests who do not wear masks and follow other anti-virus measures.This new measure is still in its infancy. Do I need to be vaccinated to enter Japan? The government is planning to submit a bill in October, which could give accommodation operators more authority to impose these types of infection control measures. Thats all we need, more authority (power), given to an already power drunk country, to impose more measures on us tourists. Flooding in southern Malaysia forces 40,000 people to flee homes, Hong Kong court convicts 3 members of Tiananmen vigil group for security offence, Reporting by Kantaro Komiya and Eimi Yamamitsu; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Robert Birsel, China says should advance 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan, Philippines says Chinese navy ship spotted near disputed island, North Korea says US causing international arms control collapse, China plans 7.2% defence spending rise this year, faster than GDP target, Hong Kong women's rights protest cancelled after police cite risk of violence, Cameroonian businessman charged with complicity in torture after journalist's murder, Ecuador assembly backs report calling for Lasso impeachment process, UK to unveil new law to stop Channel migrants on Tuesday - paper, China to promote vaccine development, new medicines, Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals. (Im sorry, I cant help myself. Thank you, for this wonderful site with its very helpful regular updates! Its now the popular position being advanced publicly by politicians, not just being advocated by Keidanren or Japans business lobby. 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. That's a hardship for the many. Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox. 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. Instead of blanket testing of travellers from mainland China, Japan will only test selected samples, although travellers will still need to show a negative test before boarding their flights to Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a news conference on Monday. Those two posts cover essentially everything you need to know about visiting Japan as of 2023. May all our trips be everything we dreamt of and more. 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. Are borders open as normal in 2023? This is where there is disagreement among the major outlets. South Korea eased its border controls on visitors from China early this month, which China welcomed. 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. Thatll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. That may soon change. 32 last-minute Valentine's Day 2023 gifts . Japan: A deep-fried pork . Japan fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point. 2023 - Travel Daily. 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. Its borders were shut. Thanks for the updates Tom and thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and opinions over the past 2 years. 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. As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. 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. 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. Are you concerned that Japan wont reopen until 2023, or think October is still realistic? As frustrating as this whole process has been, Japan is not still (completely) stuck in March 2020. Okushibu The nickname given to Deep Shibuya, this secluded strip around Yoyogi and parallel to the new rooftop Miyashita Park, has seen an explosion in late night caf culture, unique eateries and flower shops. Thanks, [] to individual tourists for the duration of the festivities. Im so excited and happy for everyone! First, after reopening to guided tour groups, Japan reopened to individual tourists on October 11 of last year. You no longer need a visa to travel to Japan for up to 90 days.