Lets see where THIS goes. Over two years into this, the seasonality of COVID transmission is well-established. Were preserving this for posterity, but everything that follows is now (thankfully!) TOKYO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Japan will maintain its tight entry restrictions to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus until the end of February, the prime minister said on. Read on to find out more! Lets say that happens in early November. What follows is based on that research and fixation with the on-the-ground situation in Japan. This is sad fact, though. 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. Even just seeing the site suggestion come up, I could feel my heart reflexively sink into my chest in dread, as though it were already anticipating nothing today, either. Explore Japan's lesser-known destinations over 13 adventure-packed days, sipping sake in Takayama and marvelling at the iconic floating torii gate . However, the number of foreign visitors to Japan dropped to 245,900 last year, the lowest since 1964, as the country enforced tighter border controls. Toranomon-Azabudai- A futuristic development project by Heatherwick opening in 2023 in the well-heeled area of south-west Tokyo by the same name, the Toranomon-Azabudai Project will foreground. Grab your passport: Japan is once again open to the world Japan opening borders 2022 for tourists. Were excited about this great (but overdue) news, but also go in knowing that things will be different, in ways both good and bad. Visit Japan Web App also let me pre fill out for immigration and customs, and just use the QR codes for those as well. These measures are long-awaited news for tourists around the world who have been looking forward to visiting Japan. Migrants Walk Through Joe Biden's Open Border Loopholes - breitbart.com despite protests. . All Rights Reserved. As borders are reopening, Japan is finally seeing some improvements in its travel performance, according to the latest update of the Skift Travel Health Index. 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. Well, I visited only recently but it was one of the (very few) level-headed sites that discussed this topic. Sapporo 2023 will see the return of the Snow Festival for the first time in person in 3 years, and comes as the Susukino nightlife district grows with a new OMO3 property (2022) aimed at more adventurous travellers and a new Tokyu complex (2023) on the iconic Susukino crossing, including entertainment spaces and a new hotel. Just open the borders already. Did the Visit Japan Web App before arrival and was simple getting through everything at Narita, just had to show them the QR codes, two people traveling, one with the triple vaccination and one just using pre travel PCR test. More likely, the impact wont be fully felt until next years cherry blossom season. Hi Tom and THANK YOU for everything this platform had AND still has to offer! Even if China begins opening sooner, we forecast China will not fully reopen until at . We typically spend a couple of months in Japan each year, and are ecstatic to be returning after nearly 3 years away. As COVID-19's Omicron variant surges around the world, advanced democracies are generally responding vigorously but with lower levels of restrictions on social life and travel than in 2020 and 2021. |. (With the possible workaround of travel insurance or some other awkward fix.). Japan reopened its borders to overseas visitors on package tours Friday in a move that will potentially boost the economy over time, though the initial spending impact is likely to be limited. It is finally over. 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. China retaliated by suspending the issuing of short-term visas in South Korea and Japan. Take a dip in one at the soon-to-open, . Airlines will also be allowed to operate direct flights from China to more Japanese airports, Matsuno said. Both of these statements are reassuring given the current border closures, and indicate that Japan will unwind its travel ban in months, not years. Japan fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point. We will review all three restrictions together. Update: As of October 11, 2022, Japan will reopen to individual visitors on a visa-free basis. Would you consider visiting Japan later this year, or is international travel out of the question for you anytime soon? For better or worse, Japan is an insular and culturally conservative countrya characteristic that is often valued by visitors. P.s. Best wishes to everyone on your travels!! Do you think Japan will have its "borders opened" by May 2022? They can be reached by phone from 10:00 to 17:00, Monday through Friday, at 0120-296-004. Given that none of the recent reports have even mentioned COVIDs status in regard to reopening, its possible our perspective was wrong. 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. Be part of our community of seasoned travel and hospitality industry professionals from all over the world. Japan and South Korea imposed stricter border control on travellers from China after COVID cases surged there when it lifted its strict zero-COVID policy late last year. As governor of Tokyo, that would be tomorrow.. Japan Is Open For Tourism And Had Over 200K Visitors In September Finally, there has been some good news about the state of the Japanese border closure for almost all tourists. Second, theres awareness within theKishida administration that the window of opportunity to reopen the border is closing. Beloved for its unique mix of vibrant urban culture and natural beauty, the country is lifting its tight regulations on foreign tourists, according to a tweet Thursday from Taro Kono, Japan's . Then theres the middle ground or base case. Is Japan open for internationalindividual travelers? Several recent updates have centered around Japans internal debate over whether tostrip COVID-19 of its special status and downgrade it to the same level as the flu in Japans infectious disease categories. Essentially, there will be no (legal) basis for the current border protocol effective May 8, 2023. 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. 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. Japan is finally reopening its borders to mass tourism on October 11. If youre planning your trip to Japan, what do you think about these itineraries? The endisnear. 1. Just booked my accommodation/flights/insurance/rail pass for a 22 day trip to Hiroshima, Fukui, Kanazawa, Nagoya and Osaka! var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; This is the first step in our gradual easing of the [border] restrictions, Kishida has said. As improbable as it mightve seemed even a week ago, Japan welcoming back international visitors who are not part of tours (guided or unguided) sometime before November is likely. Will China Fully Reopen in 2023? - Juwai IQI | RE Talk Asia Rediscover Japan with its Borders Fully Open Japan Eyes Spring 2022 for Reopening to Travelers I wish you all the best with your upcoming tripsthanks again for everything. Any thoughts or tips of your own to add? Japan Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller Is this a here we go again moment looming? 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. 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. After a series of head fake border. Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs has offered new guidance that were covering inJapan Reopening to Individual Tourists: FAQ, Rules & Guidelines. TOKYO, Japan - Japan plans to ease COVID 19-related border restrictions by lifting its entry ban for foreign nationals from 106 countries including the United States, Britain and France on . We also recommend consulting ourUltimate Guide to KyotoandUltimate Guide to Tokyoto plan. Japan to relax border controls for passengers from China from Wednesday Japan slams the borders shut on Omicron - East Asia Forum The Polynesian island country of Samoa will open its international borders in August, although again . Japan Opening Borders 2022 For Tourists Japan Tourism: The decision means Japan will allow in a limited number of foreign tourists on package tours starting June 10. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; Japan eased its border restrictionslast week, raising the daily arrival cap from 20,000 to 50,000 and dropping the requirement for pre-arrival PCR testing for vaccinated travelers. Japan relaxed its border measures earlier in September while still being #1 in the world for new cases. The arrivals cap would also be eliminated in this scenario. 2023 - Travel Daily. 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. Commentary: Tourists would love to visit Japan. Will Japan love them 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. Ill never forget this amazing, special blog and the unlikely community of shared pain that flourished here for as long as I live. Thanks again for all the work you put into this. [1/2]Passengers on a plane from Chinas capital Beijing arrive at Narita international airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan January 8, 2023. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Ive missed it so much. Visiting Japan in 2023 - Japan Forum - Tripadvisor Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. 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. Intrepid Travel: Japan - Land of the Rising Sun. Currently, citizens of 68 countries and regions will be allowed to . It was, indeed, a rare bright spot in such a dark, sad time. . Thanks to everyone in here in the comments for that! Its possible the country views this as sufficient for tourism businesses to stave off bankruptcy or other financial hardship for another few months. Japan's struggling tourism sector despairs at lack of COVID exit TEL: 0120-248-668 (Japanese only) . Its been our perspective that this was a necessary prerequisite towelcoming individual tourists as there would no longer be a need for a responsible receiving party to monitor travelers and act as a liaison for infected individuals. 2023 when Japan is scheduled to downgrade the categorization of the virus. 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. Japan also began allowing unguided tours, meaning ones not accompanied by tour conductors. This indicates that Japan is finally ready to move forward and sets the precedent for future changes during waves. Yokohama 2023 sees the return of the Yokohama Biennale art festival, timed with the reopening of the Yokohama Museum of Art post-renovation. Copyright - Sarah & Tom Bricker, Travel Caffeine. 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. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. Some events and . First, there is consensus that the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000, will be eliminated entirely. The country sealed its borders to most foreign travelers early in the pandemic and has only recently begun to allow a slow drip of students and business people to return a sharp contrast to. Sheesh! As COVID Fears Ebb, Japan Readies for Tourists From Abroad As of 2022 it features a recently renovated hotel area and local market, as well as a marine leisure area and an exclusive seafood restaurant located on a long pier into the ocean, flanked by infinity pools. Do you or anyone here know if we need this after Oct. 11? Do I need to do a pre-departure Covid test? 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. I just got back from my first post re-opening trip to Japan, and am open to answering questions. (February 2023 Update). The next step for Japan, I think, is Corona downgrade and mask usage. The number of people anxiously awaiting Japans reopening is shrinking, not growing. China reopening most likely late Jan/Feb 2023. One wildcard is the downgrade of COVIDs legal status. By contrast,Fuji TV is treating this as a done deal, using less ambiguous language. As always, Japan is cautious and conservative, with a slow and belabored decision-making process that often embodies analysis paralysis and usually defies logic. In such a scenario, the borders could almost immediately return to their normal pre-closure status in early October. TOKYO, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Japan will from Wednesday ease its COVID restrictions on travellers from China, dropping a requirement that everyone take a test for the virus upon arrival, its top government spokesperson said. Hi Tom, Thanks for your commitment, communication and consultation over the last 2 years. 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. Japan is Likely to Reopen to Foreign Travelers in Spring 2022 if COVID-19 numbers remain low, according to industry estimates, although the government hasn't set a hard date yet. of course the opposition (not all of it, from what I read) is against this. Finally, Japan will reopen the border. May its borders remain open forevermore. Thank you, for this wonderful site with its very helpful regular updates! Here are all the details on visa-free travel, vaccination and Covid test requirements. Passengers from Hong Kong and Macau will be exempt from any on-arrival testing or pre-boarding negative test requirements, broadcaster TBS reported earlier on Monday, citing government sources. You all made the (repeated) cancellations and premature excitement a bit more bearable. PP PRITESH C PATEL 10 months ago How about Sept, Oct? 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. Can you write one last update about the boarder being opened. From the beginning this page was the only place I checked (sometimes daily) for hope. Marufukuro Located in the former HQ of pop culture behemoth Nintendo, this Kyoto hotel is a stylishly renovated property opened in 2022, featuring a suite of exclusive rooms in a richly storied building, with a special whiskey bar and library showcasing the works of Nintendo pre-Super Mario and then through the ages until now. Yet despite the wealth of praises I have for Tom, this article and its two-year community, I am so, so glad, perhaps gladder than ever now, that compulsively opening this link in my browser is no longer part of my daily routine. The government will also take measures to stimulate and jump-start the economy. 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. Is Japan Open to Tourists? (February 2023 Update - Travel Caffeine Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Japan: A deep-fried pork . 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. Think those will stick around for several months, or are simply theater to shift public opinion? Of course, things could change between now and then, but its likely the border will revert to late 2019 status as of that date. Japan to maintain strict border restrictions until end of February This is now the same as the best-case scenario. It is available from 10:00 to 17:00, and can be reached at 03-6233-9266. As for you, Tom Id buy you a round at my favourite izakaya if I could! Japan reopens: Here's what to look forward to in 2023 Again, if youd like to be notified as soon as more details are released or rumored, subscribe to ourfree email newsletter for ongoing updates and alerts: (function(d, s, id) { Do I need to be vaccinated to enter Japan? Can I Travel To Japan Now? March 2023 - Inside Kyoto 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. Visa waiver is back, no daily limit and free individual visits. Analysis | Relax, This Isn't the Future of Japanese Tourism World News Reuters Updated: May 30, 2022 2:06 pm IST Japan has chosen a different course. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly plans to make a decision as early as the end of this week, according to the news outlets sources. More information can be found here . Japan's borders finally reopened to independent travelers in October 2022, and visiting Japan now is virtually as easy as it was before the pandemic. In short, the early October reopening is not just our most optimistic viewits now what we expect to happen. Join over 180,000 travel agents, professionals Japan plans to reopen to independent travelers in major shift, report The infection situation has been stabilizing in Japan and the government will consult with public health experts before reviewing the country's . Updated August 23 2022 Japan has eased border control measures several times in. The key question is: Can it learn to love foreign tourists again? We eagerly await your arrival!. 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. 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.. Who knowsit still may take until early 2023 to fully downgrade the legal status of COVID. Kishida has also acknowledged that Japans border control measures are the strictest among Group of Seven nations, and expressed a desire/need to bring Japan in line with its counterparts. A guide to all things new in Japan in 2023, Japan in 2023: A bucket-list-worthy adventure, These locations in Japan inspired beloved Studio Ghibli films, AutoFlight achieves worlds longest eVTOL Flight, Accors Mvenpick BalaLand Resort Lake Balatonopens in, AirAsia X resumes services to Shanghai with four weekly. How to Travel to Japan in 2022 as a Tourist | Tokyo Weekender 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. 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 . As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. 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. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. 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. Japan eased its border restrictions last week, raising the daily arrival cap from 20,000 to 50,000 and dropping the requirement for pre-arrival PCR testing for vaccinated travelers. There are also signs that stringent travel measures, including the border closure, are having a greater impact on Japans economy than previously believed. Thanks, [] to individual tourists for the duration of the festivities. 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? Due to this and other policies, Japan has lagged behind economically, seeing slower recovery than the United States and other counterparts that have more aggressively reopened. 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. Thanks for all the updates and helpful info during this stressful and hard time, Tom!! By. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. This is the end weve all be anxiously awaiting for ~2 years! Im inclined to say Spring 2023, but its easy to envision a worst-case that isnt until summer. 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. Except for everyone wearing masks, things seemed mostly back to normal. 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. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Japan border closure: As the rest of the world opens up, Japan remains 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. Japan reopened its borders to holders of long-term visitor, business or student visas on 1 June 2022, as well as to tourists on authorised package tours. COVID-19 Information - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan For more than two years, the nation was effectively impossible visit Japan. Japan Border Opening | Travel Restrictions Loosening for Tourists in The Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched a multilingual call center on COVID-19 for foreign residents. I land on Nov. 2, the website the new form come out Nov.I am so confusedbut no one seems to come here anymore.if anyone reads this please answer if you can. Japan is a highly attractive country not only for tourism, but also for international conferences and incentive travel. Think the need to adapt and live with the endemic virus will outweigh fear when it comes to Japans reopening plans? The changes were intended to "support smooth international travels, given a low rate of positive test results among entrants", Matsuno said. ), While presenting the above as a cautionary tale against optimism or over reliance on logic when assessing Japans decisions, thats exactly what Im going to do. Your email address will not be published. Kishida says Japan will ease COVID border controls from Oct 11 (Im sorry, I cant help myself. 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. Wow, i cant believe it. These are questions among those planning trips to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and this covers the answers. But whatever winter wave occurs (and onewillhappen), thats unlikely to be an obstacle to reopening progress, as was the case last year. At a news conference in New York City, where he was attending the UN General Assembly meeting, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Japan, one of the world's last major holdouts during the pandemic, is dissolving its COVID-19 restrictions and opening the door back up to mass tourism. Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) looks forward to welcoming individual inbound travellers back to Japan with the long-awaited lifting of entry restrictions. Is Japan ready to reopen its borders? | East Asia Forum P.S. On August 23, specifics of the September relaxation measures were leaked to the same media outlets. May all our trips be everything we dreamt of and more. I assume well hear from AndyO soon, admitting he was wrong, like he demanded from so many of us. Covid restrictions stymie tourism revival in Japan - Financial Times