By Lilit Marcus, CNN Published 9:20 PM EDT, Sun July 31, 2022 Link Copied! You no longer need a visa to travel to Japan for up to 90 days. Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox. Nevertheless, despite loosening restrictions in September, travelers will still need to . You all made the (repeated) cancellations and premature excitement a bit more bearable. Best wishes to everyone on your travels!! 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. 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. Travel Daily - Informing, connecting and developing the worlds travel industry professionals. Its possible the country views this as sufficient for tourism businesses to stave off bankruptcy or other financial hardship for another few months. What are testing, face mask, and vaccine requirements for visitors? This . Shimokitazawa An ongoing redevelopment around a suburban railway line stretching across three stations (Senrogai), cementing the districts place as a youth culture hub. (Im sorry, I cant help myself. Intrepid Travel: Japan - Land of the Rising Sun. 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. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Visa waiver is back, no daily limit and free individual visits. 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. Additionally, the Japan National Tourism Organization has set 2024 as its goal for recovering to 2019 international travel levels. TRAVEL NEWS, JOBS & EVENTS! These measures are long-awaited news for tourists around the world who have been looking forward to visiting Japan. 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. 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. I assume well hear from AndyO soon, admitting he was wrong, like he demanded from so many of us. Subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest news & instant alerts. This is the end weve all be anxiously awaiting for ~2 years! 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. With this, the visa exemption would be reinstated, making that a non-issue. Or, that this barrier does still exist and Japan will have to create a solution for it (travel insurance?) 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. What is required to travel to Japan and what about visas? TOKYO: Japan looks like it may finally open its borders and end its splendid isolation. Felix Ng. 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. Thanks to everyone in here in the comments for that! |. As always, Japan is cautious and conservative, with a slow and belabored decision-making process that often embodies analysis paralysis and usually defies logic. This includes business travelers on short stays, students in study abroad programs, participants in technical internships, both guided & unguided tour groups, spouses or children (and other relatives) of a Japanese national/permanent resident, others with special exceptional circumstances, and those who would provide a public benefit to Japan. Thanks for the updates Tom and thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and opinions over the past 2 years. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; Its now the popular position being advanced publicly by politicians, not just being advocated by Keidanren or Japans business lobby. Japan will close its borders to all foreigners from Tuesday, . Japan fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point. 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. It could start as soon as late November, but is more likely in December. Im happy that I soon wont be needing to lurk this site on a daily basis as I have for the last countless months, but will always look back on this unexpected place of community fondly. There are also signs that stringent travel measures, including the border closure, are having a greater impact on Japans economy than previously believed. This is where there is disagreement among the major outlets. There will be a winter resurgence. Japan House exhibition running until the end of January 2023, opening 29th Sep, focusing on woodwork in Hida, Takayama. It has been well over two years since coronavirus initially shut down global travel. Autumn is already a lost cause. Updated 7 June 2022. Thanks for all the updates and helpful info during this stressful and hard time, Tom!! 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 . It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. It kind of fell like a little community in here, like I know from Discord groups. 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 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. At best, this helps with winter. First, there is consensus that the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000, will be eliminated entirely. It was, indeed, a rare bright spot in such a dark, sad time. Airlines will also be allowed to operate direct flights from China to more Japanese airports, Matsuno said. so its confirmed Thanks so much Tom. This is sad fact, though. If youre planning your trip to Japan, what do you think about these itineraries? Come see the new Japan. Despite the aforementioned numbers, Japan is maintaining its goal of attracting 60 million foreign visitors by 2030. 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. 28 Feb 2023 0. Wow, i cant believe it. PP PRITESH C PATEL 10 months ago How about Sept, Oct? 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 . I wish you all the best with your upcoming tripsthanks again for everything. Even if China begins opening sooner, we forecast China will not fully reopen until at . 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. Japan has been busy over the past two-and-a-half years with preparations to welcome back everyone. 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. May 6, 2022. 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. 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. 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. Im inclined to say Spring 2023, but its easy to envision a worst-case that isnt until summer. Economists fear a double dip recession in Japan due to the prolonged closures and restrictions. Reopening to individual tourists in October presents minimal (political) risk and maximum (economic) upside. Then theres the middle ground or base case. Thanks for your commitment, communication and consultation over the last 2 years. for individual tourists. [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 In various updates here, weve been sharing our experiences and what its like as a foreign visitor, what has changed, crowd conditions, expenses of visiting Japan with the weaker yen, and much more. Japan reopened its borders to independent foreign travelers and reintroduced visa-free entry from October 11, 2022. . Except for everyone wearing masks, things seemed mostly back to normal. Nov. 18, 2021 10:20 am JST Nov. 26, 2021 . InUnguided Tours in Japan Reopening Phase Rules, we cover what this entails and the recently-released guidelines and FAQ for these tours. 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. 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. 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. If youre planning a trip to the Japan, check outour other posts about Japanfor ideas on other things to do! 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. Thanks for the posts, Tom. Yes, Japan's borders are now open to all international tourist travel.. Japan has completely removed the entry cap on daily foreign arrivals.. Additionally, all visa exemptions have now been reinstated.This means that citizens of around 70 countries, including the United States and all European Union nations, can once again visit Japan for 90 days without a visa . The key question is: Can it learn to love foreign tourists again? Up to 20 per cent of these arrivals will also be required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival at the airport. 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. Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. By. Recently, Japan reopened to limited numbers of fully vaccinated foreign business travelers and students, and raised its daily limit of these arrivals from 3500 to 5000. Visit Japan Web App also let me pre fill out for immigration and customs, and just use the QR codes for those as well. New Zealand is finally open for business. 2023 - Travel Daily. Thank you so much for this free and respectful space for everyones opinions that has helped us get through these difficult years. Let's have a proper look at what has changed for those planning to travel to Japan in 2022 and what to expect when you finally do get here. All Rights Reserved. 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. Human behavior and sentiment dont change overnight, even if its economically advantageous and objectively safer to do so. Japan is always one decade lagging behind the developed world. [1/2]Passengers on a plane from Chinas capital Beijing arrive at Narita international airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan January 8, 2023. Japan is now allowing foreign nationals to enter Japan for purposes other than tourism so long as they have a sponsor in the country. The recent lockdowns in Shanghai and Guangdong are unmistakable signs that China will not be backing down from its zero-Covid policy, at least for the rest of 2022. 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 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. As for you, Tom Id buy you a round at my favourite izakaya if I could! Kishidas government has been trying to take advantage of the weak yen and accelerate growth by attracting more foreign visitors. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. The infection situation has been stabilizing in Japan and the government will consult with public health experts before reviewing the country's . Was less crowded than when I was there before, especially at the airport. 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. The short version is that it is possible to enter, regardless of whether youre vaccinated or unvaccinated, albeit with a testing requirement for the latter. 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. Finally booked my flights, enjoy your trips everyone! Not A Hotel Ishigaki Opening on the island of Ishigaki in 2023, this Sou Fujimoto set of luxury sea-view villas have the unique property of being raised as if from the ground, with meadows for rooftops, a sleek futuristic design reminiscent of his designs at the recent Shiroiya Hotel in Gunma. Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks.