InUnguided Tours in Japan Reopening Phase Rules, we cover what this entails and the recently-released guidelines and FAQ for these tours. The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. Japan is a highly attractive country not only for tourism, but also for international conferences and incentive travel. Of . 32 last-minute Valentine's Day 2023 gifts . 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. Its possible the country views this as sufficient for tourism businesses to stave off bankruptcy or other financial hardship for another few months. First, theres already the realization that unguided tourslike guided tours before themwill not move the needle on inbound tourism in any meaningful way. 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As always, Japan is cautious and conservative, with a slow and belabored decision-making process that often embodies analysis paralysis and usually defies logic. TOKYO: Japan looks like it may finally open its borders and end its splendid isolation. 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. Of course, things could change between now and then, but its likely the border will revert to late 2019 status as of that date. 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. Public opinion nowadays is very reluctant to allow foreigner to enter Japan even if you guys want to enter Japan on the purpose of studying or business. 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. There will be a winter resurgence. Thank you Tom and to everyone for all the insights, info, and updates. With the relaxed travel measures, Japan is fully prepared to host these events. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; Putting aside how I obviously need to be clearing my web history more often, it all feels so surreal now that is, how religiously I checked this comments section for news on Japan not even half a year prior, a somewhat embarrassing fact that Firefox is keen to remind me of. Bon voyage! And thank you for providing this space for all of us. 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. It was finally announced that from October 11, 2022, the borders would be reopening to visa-free tourists. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has confirmed "no schedule has been decided" for fully reopening the borders, though members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party have discussed a potential. Do I need to be vaccinated to enter Japan? Are you concerned that Japan wont reopen until 2023, or think October is still realistic? The Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) loophole has long been used by foreign teenagers who hope to work in the nation's fast-growing child workforce, jobs . Does that mean it will be as easy to visit now as it was pre-pandemic? Saturday, 4 March 2023, 15:47 Last update: about 1 hour ago. Thank you, for this wonderful site with its very helpful regular updates! 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. You will receive a link to download the eBook and periodic emails when there's news to share. Do you or anyone here know if we need this after Oct. 11? It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. 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. May 18 - Japan is Reopening for Tourism to 4 Countries on May-end On Tuesday, May 17, government officials announced that Japan will accept some tourists from the U.S., Australia, Thailand, and Singapore on a trial basis starting at the end of this month. 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. If you want a copy of thistotally freeeBook and Japan reopening updates, all you need to do issubscribe to our newsletter! Starting Tuesday October 11, Japan will drop its 50,000 entry cap and will allow independent tourists to visit Japan visa-free. Would you consider visiting Japan later this year, or is international travel out of the question for you anytime soon? ), 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. Be part of our community of seasoned travel and hospitality industry professionals from all over the world. While the pandemic is still very much a thing, we've largely seen countries start to take the approach of trying to resume "normal" life while living with . However, Japan remains one of the few major economies with significant restrictions on travel still in place, including a cap on visitor numbers. In our view, koyo (autumn leaves) season is a good bet, and that takes place from mid-November through December. first infection wave in spring 2020, and some closed again during subsequent waves; however, almost all of them are now open again. Thats the sharpest fall on record according to the Japan Tourism Agency. Finally, Japan will reopen the border. That would mean individual tourists would not be welcomed back to Japan until sometime in the first half of 2023. 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. Thanks for the posts, Tom. It is available from 10:00 to 17:00, and can be reached at 03-6233-9266. Its made it slightly more bearable having a community to discuss all the news coming out of Japan especially since group tours first became a reality. As governor of Tokyo, that would be tomorrow.. Japan is now allowing foreign nationals to enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. Economists fear a double dip recession in Japan due to the prolonged closures and restrictions. Your updates were by far the best I could find on the internet and helped lots of us getting through this (dare I say; emotional) rollercoaster the past several years. Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherries in full bloom: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com Situation Summary How do you view the news about guided tours? We can't expect Japanese government to reopen their border on April 2022 due to the emergence of Omicron variant. Japan fully reopened its borders to tourists on October 11, 2022. Japan House exhibition running until the end of January 2023, opening 29th Sep, focusing on woodwork in Hida, Takayama. 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. Sep 12, 2022 SHARE The government is planning to allow independent tourists to come to Japan and exempt them from visas if they have been vaccinated three times or submit a pre-arrival test. We mention this in part to own past mistakes, but also as a cautionary tale. 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. Our view is that the worst-case scenario is nowhighlyunlikely. 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. This is. We will review all three restrictions together. 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. The yen has fallen to a 24-year low of 144 to the dollar, likely contributing to the sense of urgency in the aforementioned interviews. 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 countries across Asia reopen to international travelers, Japan one of the continent's most popular destinations remains firmly closed. Want to receive free updates on when Japan will reopen for travel? Under the current COVID-19 border restrictions, foreign tourists need to obtain a short-term visa and prepare their flights, itinerary, accommodation, and car rentals ahead of time through a. Take a dip in one at the soon-to-open, . See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Im inclined to say Spring 2023, but its easy to envision a worst-case that isnt until summer. That also offers tips for avoiding crowds and strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. 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. The Japanese government recently eased its COVID-19 entry restrictions, meaning tourists can now visit without being on a guided tour. Like a moth to a flame.). Is this a here we go again moment looming? 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. However, Japan is now joining the rest of the world as people are ready to move on with life. Im very glad its dead but am also appreciative of what existed while it did. The changes were intended to "support smooth international travels, given a low rate of positive test results among entrants", Matsuno said. Economic benefits of international tourists is one big reason why Japan is expected to reopen its border. While I hope to see you around here on future updates, I know that probably wont be the case. 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. Sort of. . 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. In today's Face-to-Face interview, Professor Wolfgang Arlt, founder and CEO of the China Outbound . 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. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Best wishes to everyone on your travels!! On August 31, Kishida made an official announcement encompassing all of the rumored changes, including unguided tourists. That may soon change. It remains unknown when independent travelers will be able to enter the. Ive started to see on JP twitter people asking for No mask in Japan too, so the sentiment is shifting even there. That theres more upside than downside risk in reopening and encouraging more economic activity. Explore Japan's lesser-known destinations over 13 adventure-packed days, sipping sake in Takayama and marvelling at the iconic floating torii gate . Statements by politicians and medical advisors, gradual border relaxation measures, and other changes could be interpreted as Japan laying thegroundwork for a resumption of normalcy and the countrys eventual reopening. 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. Japan reopened its borders to independent foreign travelers and reintroduced visa-free entry from October 11, 2022. . Mount Fuji: One of Japan's three sacred mountains and. of course the opposition (not all of it, from what I read) is against this. 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. 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. 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. Were excited about this great (but overdue) news, but also go in knowing that things will be different, in ways both good and bad. Updated August 23 2022 Japan has eased border control measures several times in. Japan slams the borders shut on Omicron. 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. KONO Taro (@konotaromp) September 22, 2022 "Finally, Japan will reopen the border,". Are borders open as normal in 2023? 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. There are also signs that stringent travel measures, including the border closure, are having a greater impact on Japans economy than previously believed. Japan has resumed its visa exemption scheme for short-stay tourism and business travel. Quite simply,Japan is inflicting pain on itself by remaining closed. JNTO President SEINO Satoshi commented: The Japanese government has, at last, announced the resumption of individual travel for tourism purposes, visa waivers, and the elimination of the daily arrival cap. 28 Feb 2023 0. (This number includes hotels used as government quarantine facilities, not just leisure stays.). 7:09. The country is also bringing back visa-free entry for visitors from more than 60 countries. 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. Thanks Tom, and everyone! The Tokyo Olympics briefly saw Japan reopen its borders to the world (a year later than planned) in 2021, amid the onset of the pandemic, but just three months after the closing ceremony Prime Minister Fumio Kishida banned all incoming foreign travellers in a bid to prevent the spread of omicron. The endisnear. Along with revelling in the many ways to take in the allures across Japan, now is a time when international visitors can take advantage of shopping opportunities. so its confirmed Thanks so much Tom. Read on to find out more! 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. This is despite Japans Go to Travel campaign that subsidized domestic travel, which was offered at various times during the last two years. We also recommend consulting ourUltimate Guide to KyotoandUltimate Guide to Tokyoto plan. Japan has maintained some of the strictest 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.. Do I need to do a pre-departure Covid test? The number of people anxiously awaiting Japans reopening is shrinking, not growing. Here are all the details on visa-free travel, vaccination and Covid test requirements. js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/28/412454028.js"; Japan is finally reopening its borders to mass tourism on October 11. At Juwai IQI, we believe China will maintain zero-Covid through at least the rst-quarter of 2023. Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. 216. What are testing, face mask, and vaccine requirements for visitors? 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. Japan will further ease in June border controls implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and bring them on par with other Group of Seven nations, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday. First, after reopening to guided tour groups, Japan reopened to individual tourists on October 11 of last year. Who knowsit still may take until early 2023 to fully downgrade the legal status of COVID. Elsewhere, the star-studded Super Mario movie (name TBC) will be opening in cinemas in April 2023, and a film adaptation of popular video game Ghost of Tsushima is in the works. oh wow!! 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. The good news is that we now have an answer to questionsweve been asking for nearly two years! 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. 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. Thanks for your commitment, communication and consultation over the last 2 years. Come see the new Japan. Will Japan open borders in 2023? Japan fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point. 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. The government will also take measures to stimulate and jump-start the economy. 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. Updated 7 June 2022. Decreased tourism plus falling exports, an increased consumption tax, reduced consumer spending, weak yen, and growing national debt.