This could be due to a conflict with your ad-blocking or security software. As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. For my own peace of mind, could you please confirm that MYSOS form completion will no longer be a necessary requirement for entry into Japan from October 11th when the travel restrictions are lifted? It will happen soon. Thanks to everyone in here in the comments for that! Just booked my accommodation/flights/insurance/rail pass for a 22 day trip to Hiroshima, Fukui, Kanazawa, Nagoya and Osaka! Europeans are currently only allowed into the country in exceptional circumstances. If you want to travel to Japan for work: check the true nature of the work offered; get the correct visa before arriving in Japan; get legal advice before signing any contract 1. You do NOT need to be vaccinated with a Covid vaccine to enter Japan. Heres what you need to know. History. 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. This is despite Japans Go to Travel campaign that subsidized domestic travel, which was offered at various times during the last two years. What follows is based on that research and fixation with the on-the-ground situation in Japan. 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. On January 20, Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan will downgrade Covid to the same category as seasonal influenza on May 8. Plus:youll soon be able to spend six weeks in Thailand, visa-free. Were excited about this great (but overdue) news, but also go in knowing that things will be different, in ways both good and bad. It looks like you're using an ad blocker. See below for more details. In terms of the latest news, the current vaccine and testing policies are likely to end on May 8, 2023. Copyright - Sarah & Tom Bricker, Travel Caffeine. Do you or anyone here know if we need this after Oct. 11? Japan's borders could be set to reopen in March after being closed to tourists for two years. 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. Thank you Tom for providing us a platform to discuss thing amidst all the confusing developments and giving us updates. Trying a bit of everything is the best way to get beneath the surface of this fascinating country. For these two-plus years, weve been closely monitoring the situation in Japan, watching several hours of NHK each day and reading multiple Japanese news sources. As governor of Tokyo, that would be tomorrow.. . Most flights here are not daily, but a few times a week. so its confirmed Thanks so much Tom. Most flights go to Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), but some flights also go to Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto). If you are unvaccinated, you have to take a pre-departure test. Here's a quick breakdown of the details: Only tourists on packaged tours are allowed from June 10 Entry limit updated from 10,000 to 20,000 people per day Japan is always magical, but if you like to have the magic all to yourself, 2022 could be a once in a lifetime opportunity! I didnt comment here as much as many, but I sure did check this articles comments several times every day for the pastI dont know how long. 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. For now, however. Table of contents. Hi Tom, Thanks Tom, and everyone! in the Profile section of your subscriber account page. (It took a few more days for the guidelines to be released, and the clarifying FAQ isstillbeing updated. It was challenging, convoluted and at times frustrating. From October 11, 2022, almost all restrictions are to be lifted. 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. Here is the lowdown on Japan's relaxed travel rules. June 23, 2022 Now is the time to start planning a trip to Japan. Thanks for the posts, Tom. 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. Among fellow G7 countries, Japan has had some of the strictest rules it comes to border restrictions. Then, on September 7th, independent travel became possible, but still needed to be booked through a government-authorised agency and required a visa. Thanks again for all the work you put into this. 0:49. All rights reserved. Heres the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa-free travel list. js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/28/412454028.js"; Visa-free, independent travel restarted on October 11. Moreover, how this played out with Japans last announcement is also instructive. Hospitalizations and mortality remain relatively low. Why Expecting Japan's Reopening to Tourism Before Summer 2022 at Best is Unrealistic. Updated On September 26, 2022. In Japan, customers are expected to sanitize their hands when entering shops and restaurants. And even now, as it opens its borders to tourists from nearly. P.s. However, as we mentioned above, from October 11th onwards fully independent, visa-free travel to Japan is possible. Japan is now allowing foreign nationals to enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. Naoko Kutty. Most people need months of time between booking and traveling; very few plan and take last-minute tripsespecially international ones. Validity of visas issued under "Business Track" / "Residence Track" or "New border measures (4)" is suspended for the time being. Use the Visit Japan Web app to upload your Covid vaccination status or Covid test results. It was finally announced that from October 11, 2022, the borders would be reopening to visa-free tourists. Here are all the details on visa-free travel, vaccination and Covid test requirements. Kihara isnt the only one who has been vocal about fully reopening to tourists recently. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly plans to make a decision as early as the end of this week, according to the news outlets sources. Over two years into this, the seasonality of COVID transmission is well-established. Hardly a week goes by when we don't get this question from a TravelSort Client. In other words, reopening to international visitors will be important to the health of Japans consumption-driven economy at some point in the not too distant future. From 11th October 2022, visa-free travel resumed and all arrival caps were removed as well. If youre planning a trip to Japan, there are some things you should do now. Japan eases foreign tourism ban and allows guided package tours. Think the need to adapt and live with the endemic virus will outweigh fear when it comes to Japans reopening plans? Thats simply a good time to visit Japan and, hopefully, the country will be open to individual tourists by then. 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. However, if youve received any fewerjabs than three, youll need to show a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure for Japan. We were wrongthe unguided tours offered two steps forward but one step backwards. The specifics are not consistent among outlets, so lets start with where theyre in agreeance. Will be heading back again in a couple of weeks. 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. Cases are currently in freefall and will continue decreasing next month before bottoming out sometime between late October and early November. Thatll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. SHARE. This will save you significant money on accommodations, attractions, temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants! Just over half a million visitors have come to Japan so far in 2022, compared with a record 31.8 million in 2019. by: Kristy Tamashiro. As always, Japan is cautious and conservative, with a slow and belabored decision-making process that often embodies analysis paralysis and usually defies logic. By Lilit Marcus, CNN Published 9:20 PM EDT, Sun July 31, 2022 Link Copied! Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. 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. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed. japan, . What about proof of vaccination? If you are unvaccinated or not boosted, you need a negative Covid test. Kishidas government has been trying to take advantage of the weak yen and accelerate growth by attracting more foreign visitors. We had a nice little community here, and that was greatly appreciated. As frustrating as this whole process has been, Japan is not still (completely) stuck in March 2020. Its entirely possible that Kishida sees this polling and his sagging approval numbers and realizes that its time to move forward. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. At that time, it was unclear whether unguided tourists would be allowed to enter. Some independent shops namely those with a more international customer base have notices saying that it is okay to not wear masks, but these places are rare. Yes! 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. Though some things feel different, this nation Ive travelled for the last two months, ing and ing about the forty-seven prefectures as I once did in the 2010s, is certainly the same marvellous place that I fell in love with so long ago. 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. sheeesh still cant believe my trip starting october 22nd might actually happen this time (). Ive missed it so much. Japan's struggling tourism sector sees a light at the end of the tunnel as "self-guided" tours make way for full travel. This indicates that Japan is finally ready to move forward and sets the precedent for future changes during waves. However, after more than two and a half years of waiting the country is fully reopening for tourism. Like a moth to a flame.). 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. Was great being here. For more details, see our Japan Covid vaccination and testing page. Starting November 1, 2022, travelers to Japan may pre-register for airport Immigration, Customs, and Vaccination review, and use "Fast Track" at major airports across Japan using Visit Japan Web. Populace has been among the most cautious in the comments for that, CNN Published 9:20 EDT... Wrongthe unguided tours offered two steps forward but one step backwards Japans go to Kansai ( Osaka Kyoto. Is the lowdown on Japan & # x27 ; t get this question from a TravelSort Client Expecting. Summer 2022 at best is Unrealistic as well visit Japan and, hopefully, the country exceptional! 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