This is the first step in our gradual easing of the [border] restrictions, Kishida has said. 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. Weve already returned to Japan, spending about a month in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and elsewhere. As governor of Tokyo, that would be tomorrow.. This is the end weve all be anxiously awaiting for ~2 years! With this, the visa exemption would be reinstated, making that a non-issue. Japan is a highly attractive country not only for tourism, but also for international conferences and incentive travel. InUnguided Tours in Japan Reopening Phase Rules, we cover what this entails and the recently-released guidelines and FAQ for these tours. . 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. Kihara isnt the only one who has been vocal about fully reopening to tourists recently. This follows on from the opening of high-end luxury Onsen Ryokan Yuen Sapporo (2020) and in the run-up to the Adventure Travel World Summit due to be held here in the autumn of 2023. Then theres the middle ground or base case. 2023 will also see the opening of Yokohamas first high-end Hilton property in a waterfront development that will also house the K-Arena, one of the worlds largest live music venues, as part of the new Music Terrace. At that time, it was unclear whether unguided tourists would be allowed to enter. Read on to find out more! Thanks for your commitment, communication and consultation over the last 2 years. The endisnear. so its confirmed Thanks so much Tom. Any questions? Japan will open an embassy in Malta. Of course, things could change between now and then, but its likely the border will revert to late 2019 status as of that date. 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. That also offers tips for avoiding crowds and strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. This . Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) looks forward to welcoming individual inbound travellers back to Japan with the long-awaited lifting of entry restrictions. While it certainly sounds likethe end is nearfor the Japan travel ban, its premature to have a high degree of confidence. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; Be part of our community of seasoned travel and hospitality industry professionals from all over the world. Not sure whether youll ever see this, but just want to let you know that I saw your comment and really appreciate you taking the time to share. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; Japan has announced it will lift tough Covid restrictions on foreign tourists, reopening the borders after two and a half years. Essentially, there will be no (legal) basis for the current border protocol effective May 8, 2023. The Government of Japan announced a policy of resuming entry by individual travellers for tourism purposes beginning on October 11. Some events and . Those reading regular updates on Japans reopening are not representative of international travelers at large. That theres more upside than downside risk in reopening and encouraging more economic activity. If youre planning your trip to Japan, what do you think about these itineraries? 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. One of the last closed-border hold-outs is now allowing entry for Australian tourists, with visitors from the rest of the world to follow on May 1. PP PRITESH C PATEL 10 months ago How about Sept, Oct? Can I Travel to Japan Now? It could start as soon as late November, but is more likely in December. 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. Shimokitazawa An ongoing redevelopment around a suburban railway line stretching across three stations (Senrogai), cementing the districts place as a youth culture hub. Second, theres awareness within theKishida administration that the window of opportunity to reopen the border is closing. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the news in September at a press conference. Hearing your feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts or questions below in the comments!.fca_eoi_form{ margin: auto; } .fca_eoi_form p { width: auto; } #fca_eoi_form_7990 input{ max-width: 9999px; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_form_input_element::-webkit-input-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#444444;}#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_form_input_element::-moz-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#444444;}#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_form_input_element:-ms-input-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#444444;}#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_form_input_element:-moz-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#444444;}#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper:hover, #fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input:hover {background-color:#933b00 !important;}#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox {max-width:100%;}#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper {max-width:48%;}#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper {max-width:48%;}#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper {max-width:100%;}div.fca_eoi_form_text_element,input.fca_eoi_form_input_element,input.fca_eoi_form_button_element{display:block;margin:0;padding:0;line-height:normal;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:normal;word-spacing:normal;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;width:inherit;height:inherit;background-image:none;border:none;border-radius:0;box-shadow:none;box-sizing:border-box;transition:none;outline:none;-webkit-transition:none;-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;color:#000;font-family:"Open Sans", sans-serif;font-weight:normal;transition:background 350ms linear;}div.fca_eoi_form_text_element{text-align:center;}div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper{font-weight:bold;}div.fca_eoi_featherlight .featherlight-close-icon{background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);}div.fca_eoi_layout_3,form.fca_eoi_layout_3{display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper{width:100%;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 .fca_eoi_progress,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 .fca_eoi_progress{margin-left:32px;margin-right:32px;height:24px;position:relative;background:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:1px 1px 2px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);margin-bottom:32px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 .fca_eoi_progress span,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 .fca_eoi_progress span{text-align:right;width:55%;display:block;height:100%;border-top-right-radius:3px;border-bottom-right-radius:3px;border-top-left-radius:3px;border-bottom-left-radius:3px;background-color:#eab868;background-image:linear-gradient(center bottom, #2bc253 37%, #54f054 69%);position:relative;overflow:hidden;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 .fca_eoi_progress span:before,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 .fca_eoi_progress span:before{content:'';position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;background-image:linear-gradient(-45deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(255, 255, 255, .2) 50%, rgba(255, 255, 255, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent);z-index:1;background-size:50px 50px;animation:move 2s linear infinite;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-top-left-radius:20px;border-bottom-left-radius:20px;overflow:hidden;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 .fca_eoi_progress span:after,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 .fca_eoi_progress span:after{content:'50%';vertical-align:top;position:relative;top:5px;color:white;font-size:14px;line-height:14px;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:1px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 img.fca_eoi_image,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 img.fca_eoi_image{max-width:100%;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_image_wrapper.placeholder,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_image_wrapper.placeholder{text-align:center;white-space:pre;border:1px dashed #979797;font-size:12px;line-height:14px;color:#979797;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_content_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_content_wrapper{margin:20px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper{border:solid 1px transparent;border-radius:3px;margin-bottom:10px;position:relative;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper,div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper{width:100%;display:inline-block;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper input,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper input,div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper input:focus,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper input:focus{border:none !important;width:100%;height:auto;font-size:16px;line-height:1.2em;padding:7px 0;outline:none;background:none !important;box-shadow:none;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper{clear:both;transition:background 350ms linear, border-color 350ms linear;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_fatcatapps_link_wrapper a,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_fatcatapps_link_wrapper a{display:block;margin:10px 0 0;font-size:12px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_form_text_element ul,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_form_text_element ul{list-style:inside;padding:0;margin:14px 0;}@media (min-width:1px) and (max-width:450px),(min-height:1px) and (max-height:450px){div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_content_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_content_wrapper{margin:8px 13px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_fatcatapps_link_wrapper a,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_fatcatapps_link_wrapper a{margin:0;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_form_text_element.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_form_text_element.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper{margin-bottom:5px;}}@media (min-width:1px) and (max-width:768px){div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper{width:100%;}}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper{margin:-20px -20px 20px;}@media (min-width:1px) and (max-width:450px),(min-height:1px) and (max-height:450px){div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper{margin:-8px -13px 8px;}}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper div,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper div{padding:10px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_field_inner,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_field_inner,div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_popup div.fca_eoi_layout_field_inner,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_popup div.fca_eoi_layout_field_inner{margin:0 30px 0 5px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper i.fa,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper i.fa,div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_popup div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper i.fa,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_popup div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper i.fa{position:absolute;top:0;right:10px;height:50%;width:auto;transform:translateY(50%);-webkit-transform:translateY(50%);}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox svg.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_triangle,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox svg.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_triangle,div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_popup svg.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_triangle,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_popup svg.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_triangle{display:none;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget{position:relative;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_field_inner,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_field_inner{margin:0 5px 0 2em;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper i.fa,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper i.fa{position:absolute;top:0;left:10px;height:50%;width:auto;transform:translateY(50%);-webkit-transform:translateY(50%);}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper{margin-bottom:0;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget svg.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_triangle,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget svg.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_triangle{position:absolute;left:0;width:100%;height:20px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper{margin-top:40px;}@media (min-width:1px) and (max-width:450px),(min-height:1px) and (max-height:450px){div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget svg.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_triangle,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget svg.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_triangle{height:10px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper{margin-top:20px;}}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper{margin-left:30px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper i.fa,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper i.fa{left:-25px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_field_inner,form.fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_field_inner{margin-left:10px;margin-right:10px;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper{border-bottom:solid 4px transparent;border-radius:3px;padding:0 !important;text-align:center;width:100%;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper{border-bottom:solid 4px transparent;border-radius:3px;padding:0 !important;text-align:center;width:100%;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper{margin:20px 0;}@media (min-width:1px) and (max-width:450px),(min-height:1px) and (max-height:450px){div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper{margin:8px 0;}}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_field_wrapper{border-radius:3px;background:#fff;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input{background:none;border-radius:3px;border:0;padding:6px;width:100%;white-space:normal;}div.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input:hover,form.fca_eoi_layout_3 div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input:hover{background:none;}#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox { background-color: #ffffff !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox { border-color: #344860 !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper div { font-size: 24px !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper div { color: #ffffff !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_headline_copy_wrapper div { background-color: #ec5c34 !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper p, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper div { font-size: 14px !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper p, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper div { color: #6d6d6d !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper input, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper i.fa:before { font-size: 14px !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper input, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper i.fa:before { color: #444444 !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { border-color: #d2d2d2 !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper input, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper i.fa:before { font-size: 14px !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper input, .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper i.fa:before { color: #444444 !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { border-color: #d2d2d2 !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input { font-size: 14px !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input { color: #ffffff !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input { background-color: #ec5c34 !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { background-color: #933b00 !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_privacy_copy_wrapper div { font-size: 13px !important; }#fca_eoi_form_7990 .fca_eoi_layout_3.fca_eoi_layout_postbox div.fca_eoi_layout_privacy_copy_wrapper div { color: #b3b3b3 !important; }. Among fellow G7 countries, Japan has had some of the strictest rules it comes to border restrictions. Its pretty clear the government is focused on moving forward. Just open the borders already. Updated on Oct 29, 2021 01:32 PM IST While other Asian countries are inching toward reopening, Japan's borders will likely remain shut for some time to come. The provisional measures from March 1, 2023. . After a series of head fake border. China reopening most likely late Jan/Feb 2023. Ive been following since the very beginning and only started actually posting at the very end, but I want you to know how grateful I am that your blog existed as truly the gold standard for Japan-related travel blogs throughout the pandemic. You all made the (repeated) cancellations and premature excitement a bit more bearable. Cheers . [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 Our view is that the worst-case scenario is nowhighlyunlikely. 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. This was a great place to keep up to date on the happenings. (Updated February 12, 2023.). 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? We can't expect Japanese government to reopen their border on April 2022 due to the emergence of Omicron variant. A Hong Kong women's rights group cancelled a demonstration at the last minute on Saturday after police said violent groups might want to join the protest. 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. P.S. Like a moth to a flame.). -. We have to carry it out in the not-so-distant future, he said. Im very glad its dead but am also appreciative of what existed while it did. Bon voyage! Prior to those guidelines being released, we speculated on how this would work given basic logic and past precedent with prior groups who had been allowed to enter Japan. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Wada Kouichi . The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. If you want a copy of thistotally freeeBook and Japan reopening updates, all you need to do issubscribe to our newsletter! I assume well hear from AndyO soon, admitting he was wrong, like he demanded from so many of us. How do you view the news about guided tours? 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. Japan fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. If/when theres another winter resurgence in cases, the reopening can would effectively be kicked down the road for a few more months. STAY UPDATED WITH THE LATEST 23/02/2023. Oct 19, 2022 SHARE Not since 1853, when U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry forced Japan to open its borders to trade, has a reopening been so newsworthy. As countries across Asia reopen to international travelers, Japan one of the continent's most popular destinations remains firmly closed. Decreased tourism plus falling exports, an increased consumption tax, reduced consumer spending, weak yen, and growing national debt. tomthanks for ALL the help.I was told I need the MYSOS app to enter now, but there is mixed information on JapanWeb. We mention this in part to own past mistakes, but also as a cautionary tale. You no longer need a visa to travel to Japan for up to 90 days. At a news conference in New York City, where he was attending the UN General Assembly meeting, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Thanks for all the updates and helpful info during this stressful and hard time, Tom!! Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. 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. In response to the announcement, JNTO will be doing everything we can to provide you with the latest information on coming to Japan so that many tourists can visit and journey throughout our country. 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. New Zealand is finally open for business. Japans economy has serious issues and inbound tourism was previously a bright spot. We have more good news! Economic migrants are sending more teenagers and children into the United States via a much-traveled loophole in President Joe Biden's much-touted border curbs. The country's domestic and international business community united on Friday in urging the government to open further, including "rapidly resuming" individual tourist travel and bringing. Japan slams the borders shut on Omicron. From Tuesday, Japan will reinstate visa-free travel to dozens of countries, ending some of world's strictest border controls to slow the spread of COVID-19 . Autumn is already a lost cause. . So you can do more than take in Japans captivating culture, history, nature, and cuisine, we are also working hard on projects for sustainable tourism, adventure travel, and luxury travel. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Hi Tom, First, theres already the realization that unguided tourslike guided tours before themwill not move the needle on inbound tourism in any meaningful way. For more than two years, the nation was effectively impossible visit Japan. Its thus our view that Japan reopening in some capacity to individual tourists in October is a very realistic scenario. However, as we have seen time and time again, the patently obvious conclusion often is not the outcome reached by Japan. Obviously, the easing has to occur at some point and this lag will always play out, but the notion that this moves the needle for fall is misguided. TEL: 0120-248-668 (Japanese only) . We know there are a lot of people overseas who want to come to Japan, Kihara added. We were wrongthe unguided tours offered two steps forward but one step backwards. I am incredibly pleased to finally welcome back individual travellers after coping with the pandemic during a wait of two-and-a-half years. We eagerly await your arrival!. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Quite simply,Japan is inflicting pain on itself by remaining closed. May its borders remain open forevermore. Lets see where THIS goes. 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. Think those will stick around for several months, or are simply theater to shift public opinion? 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. For now, direct flights from China can only land at the Narita, Haneda, Kansai and Chubu airports. And thank you for providing this space for all of us. 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. The national border is under the management of central government, Koike said. By contrast,Fuji TV is treating this as a done deal, using less ambiguous language.