Why Expecting Japan's Reopening to Tourism Before Summer 2022 at Best Open Navigation Menu . Travelers should contact their local health provider to determine the location of testing facilities within Japan. The country eased border controls imposed to counter the pandemic since March 2020. We humbly apologize for the inconvenience. 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 Tuesday, though some . The measures have sparked protests and a petition drive calling for change, especially to reduce family separations, and media reported on Tuesday the government was considering easing some of rules in exceptional cases. The ban on tourists due to the outbreak of COVID-19 has been in effect since April 2020, and for a long time, there has been no clear timeline on when the borders of Japan would be reopening again for tourism. Effective as of midnight April 29, 2023 (Japan time), all travelers arriving in Japan will no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test certificate. Slow Vaccine Approval Process. Japan grants long-term visa to U.S. man in same-sex marriage with Japanese national, Squaring the circle of same-sex marriage in Japan, Japan clarifies SDF and coast guard roles in event of armed attack, Kishida may visit South Korea early next month to further mend ties, Japan to drop COVID border measures from Saturday. Independent tourists are not yet granted entry, although they can be expected to be allowed back by Autumn 2022. 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. First published on Fri 23 Sep 2022 00.27 EDT Japan has announced it will lift tough Covid restrictions on foreign tourists, reopening the borders after two and a half years. Non-native Okay! Since October 11th, 2022, people who travel from countries with a former visa-waiver agreement with Japan have been able to travel to Japan freely again! That goal may be too ambitious for a sector that has withered during the pandemic. New Zealand, Japan and Samoa set to reopen to visitors | CNN Japan Is Reopening to Visa-Free Travel in OctoberHere's What to Know By Lilit Marcus, CNN Published 9:20 PM EDT, Sun July 31, 2022 Link Copied! For information on Japans latest travel restrictions, please see these websites: Phased Measures for Resuming Cross-Border Travel, Application for Visa for Foreign Nationals Eligible for Phase Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel, Border Enforcement Measures to Prevent the Spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Information Related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from Immigration Service Agency, For questions regarding the government of Japans travel restrictions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides contact information in, Travelers entering Japan may use the Electronic Customs Declaration Gates (e-Gates) for customs clearance, which reduces human-to-human contact. But from 11 October, Japan will relax border control measures to be on par with the US, as well as resume visa-free travel and individual travel, Kishida said at the New York Stock Exchange. So, Im not so sure we can be overjoyed.. Please note that it can take some time to receive your visa, so it is wise to book your trip at least several weeks into the future to make sure the embassy has enough time to process your visa application. Media reports say the government is considering more than doubling the daily cap to 50,000 as early as next month. Will Japan Ever Reopen Its Borders To Tourists?!? Japan has recorded about 42,600 coronavirus deaths in total a vastly lower rate than many other countries and 90% of residents aged 65 and over have had three vaccine shots. Individual travellers will be able to visit Japan without visas from 11 October. Some Akihabara shops have closed down since then, but he bided his time. Please refer to theMinistry of Health, Labor, and Welfares websitefor more details. Japan will open its doors back up to foreign tourists, after more than two years of closed borders due to the Covid pandemic. The Japanese PM has hinted that European tourists could return soon, but Covid testing and vaxx rules are likely to be tight. A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure is no longer required to enter Japan if you are triple vaccinated. The U.S.government does not provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Below are answers to the most pressing questions would-be tourists and other arrivals should be asking as they dust off their suitcases, open up those phrase books and get ready once again for a journey to Japan. Japan to lift COVID-19 entry ban for 106 countries Kishida says Japan will ease COVID border controls from Oct 11 Pretty much all of them wore masks, but Im really not sure whether the people who visit from here on will do the same.. Japan To Open Borders From June 10 To Aid Hobbled Tourism Industry: Report . The U.S. Embassy strongly urges any U.S. citizens considering travel to Japan to carefully review the information available from the Government of Japan. Only about 1,500 foreign leisure tourists have visited Japan since the country reopened in June 2022. . The test results must include the following items: Full name, date of birth, testing method (more on this below), sample, specimen collection date and time, result, name of the medical institution, and date of issue. The entry procedures still might give you a slight headache, but its a whole lot better than the previous rules (mandatory guided tours, hotel quarantines, no public transportation, etc.). We strive to keep Japan Guide up-to-date and accurate, and we're always looking for ways to improve. COVID-19 Information - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Japan? The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. Thats pretty much it for the latest travel news from Japan. Japan remains fully open to tourism. Japan plans to ease COVID-19 border controls in early September Japan currently requires negative PCR test results within 72 hours of departure for all . The test must be taken within 72 hours of departure. Under this arrangement, the quarantine hotel system will be cancelled, Lee told reporters. EDITORIAL: Time for Japan to open up its border and embrace world February 15, 2022 at 14:35 JST. Friday 6 May 2022 In news that many of us have been waiting to hear, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that border restrictions will begin to relax this summer. Uzbekistan has passed a package of constitutional amendments in a referendum, preliminary data showed on Monday, which will allow President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to run for two more seven-year terms when his current one ends in 2026. Back in May 2022, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida suggested that Japan would further ease border controls as of June 2022, intended to put the country more in line with other G7 countries. If a child (under 6 years old) is not vaccinated and is either travelling alone or with a similarly unvaccinated parent or guardian, the child does not need to present a valid negative PCR test result, as long as their parent or guardian has proof of a negative PCR test result. Whether overseas visitors will wear face masks and abide by other common infection controls in Japan is another concern. There are some minor restrictions introduced in response to the latest Covid-19 outbreak in China, though these only relate to flights coming from this country. International visitors' economic contribution increased year on year over the period, with 4.81 trillion yen ($3.8bn) spent in 2019 alone. Travel Guidelines 2022: Can Malaysians Travel To Japan Now? Which vaccines are available in Japan? appreciated. Japan reopens to tourists with shuttered souvenir shops, hotel staff Natsume Soseki A Profile of a Japanese Expatriate in England, Japan Under Pressure: When Social Pressure Becomes Too Strong, Alabama to Aomori: What My First Few Days in Japan Were Like. 2023 Cable News Network. Covid restrictions stymie tourism revival in Japan and much of Asia Travelers should contact their local health provider to determine the location of testing facilities within Japan. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know: Copyright 1996-2023 japan-guide.com All Rights Reserved. Japan was the top choice among survey respondents by a good margin, with the second choice, Taiwan, garnering interest from 39% of those surveyed. Download your brochure today hide caption. Clinics have been flooded with patients with mild symptoms such as fever, sore throat and coughs, amid a lack of testing and test kits at pharmacies and online. [LIVE NEWS] Which Asian Countries Are Open for Tourism and Travel Now? Until then, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continually . "In particular, banning the entrance of new foreigners and the hotel quarantine system needs to be reviewed," Mikitani, long a critic of Japan's handling of the pandemic, said on Twitter. Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division. Arata Sawa is among those eager for the return of foreign visitors, who previously comprised up to 90% of the guests at his traditional inn. . Business owner Hideyuki Abe are hoping tourists will return to spend up big in his electronics shop. To enjoy our content, please include The Japan Times on your ad-blocker's list of approved sites. Students, business . Japan grants long-term visa to U.S. man in same-sex marriage with Japanese national, Squaring the circle of same-sex marriage in Japan, Japan clarifies SDF and coast guard roles in event of armed attack, Kishida may visit South Korea early next month to further mend ties, Japan to drop COVID border measures from Saturday. Since June, Japan has allowed tourists to visit in groups accompanied by guides, a requirement that was further relaxed to include self-guided package tours. A negative pre-departure test is no longer required. Japan to Allow Limited Tour Groups From May as Step to Full Re-Opening To learn more see our FAQ, A new journey: Reviving Japans hospitality industry, As travel demand rebounds, Okinawa firms look to sustainable tourism, Inflation and labor crunch prodding Japan's smaller firms to raise pay, Online migrant celebrities bring wave of Chinese nationals to U.S. border, Ruth McCreery: 'In tough situations, be patient with yourself.'. If this does not resolve the issue or you are unable to add the domains to your allowlist, please see this FAQ. There are different guidelines for children, and these are based on the childs age and vaccination status. Here are some ideas for fun winter tours in the 2022/2023 season! Of course, there are rules for this also: On a positive note, electronic vaccine certificates and test results are accepted when entering Japan. A non-comprehensive list of some COVID-19 testing facilities can be found here on the Embassy website. Another little detail that needs to be considered, is that anyone over the age of 13 entering Japan MUST be in possession of a smartphone. 4:16 AM EDT, Fri September 23, 2022, Fujiyoshida, Japan Beautiful view of mountain Fuji and Chureito pagoda at sunset, japan in the spring with cherry blossoms. Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? If the child is not vaccinated, then there are 3 different rules to be aware of: Are you still following along? U.S. citizens are urged to follow all national and prefectural COVID-related guidance to protect their health, bearing in mind that transmission rates can accelerate and hospital capacity can quickly become strained in many areas. Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? "Thanks to the toughest border rules in the G7 nations, we've been able to keep the spread of Omicron to a minimal level, giving us time to prepare to deal with domestic infection," Kishida told reporters. Because travel regulations and restrictions are complex and are subject to change with little notice, the U.S. Embassy strongly urges any U.S. citizens considering travel to Japan to carefully review the information available from the Government of Japan. Now, I am a bit worried about a shortage of workers.. U.S. citizens seeking information about visa extensions should consult with theImmigration Service Agency. Highly infectious COVID-19 variants have occasionally led to strained hospital capacity and medical infrastructure. But having arrived at this stage via staggered increments, it can still be a little confusing for those outside Japan many of whom have lost work or school opportunities, struggled to maintain long-distance relationships, or simply found themselves unable to enjoy a culture that they love to figure out just how open the country will become. TOKYO Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday announced plans to ease border controls from early September by eliminating requirements for pre-departure COVID-19 tests for travelers who have received at least three vaccine doses, and he will also consider increasing daily entry caps as soon as next month. Call Us Today! If you're not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site: struggled to maintain long-distance relationships. Commentary: Is Japan ready to reopen its borders? - CNA Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Australian skiers sweat on Japan's post-pandemic reopening Book your beautiful Japan trip for this winter, for the beautiful spring season of 2023, or beyond. Oct 9, 2022. Finally, there has been some good news about the state of the Japanese border closure for almost all tourists. On May 17, 2022, the Government said they plan to accept small-scale vaccinated tour groups from the United States, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore starting in June.. Yes, you heard that right! Japan Tourism: The decision means Japan will allow in a limited number of foreign . The number of entrants has dwindled under those restrictions. Check out our small group autumn foliage package tour and our family-friendly amusement park and anime package tour. All rights reserved. Since June, Japan has allowed tourists to visit in groups accompanied by guides, a requirement that was further relaxed to include self-guided package tours. 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. If you are not triple vaccinated, the Japanese government still requires a negative PCR test result that is no older than 72 hours upon arrival in Japan which should be in the following format: 000799426.pdf (mhlw.go.jp) (English)000909638.pdf (mhlw.go.jp) (Spanish)000909641.pdf (mhlw.go.jp) (French)000909639.pdf (mhlw.go.jp) (Thai). Experience all the best of Japan on this small group tour package! If you want to dive deeper into the gaming culture and other subcultures in Japan, this is 2022 Reopening Borders of Japan for Tourists. These stays range from 14 90 days depending on your nationality (heres the complete list). Teacher That didn't happen, at least as it impacted tourists. let's get ready for the next opportunity. What to expect and how to travel to Japan in 2022 as a tourist, including guideline updates and the Covid-19 situation and requirements. The Omicron variant could not appear at the worst time at the end of November 2021! Japan's new border and entry rules explained. UPDATED October, 2022 As of June 12, 2022, the CDC no longer requires air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States. No-entry zones are currently maintained at the following prominent volcanoes: Latest news on events affecting travel inJapan. Japan has maintained some of the strictest The government is issuing very few visas . If a child (under 18 years old) is not vaccinated and is either travelling alone or with a similarly unvaccinated parent or guardian, the child must present a valid negative PCR test result. Adoption advocate Japan to Ease Border Restrictions for Some Foreigners, Including It's happening: Japan to gradually reopen borders from June Japan Disaster Updates and Travel Alerts - Latest news on events Japan has announced it will lift Covid border restrictions on foreign tourists from 11 October. Travelers entering Japan may use the Electronic Customs Declaration Gates (e-Gates) for customs clearance, which reduces human-to-human contact. Since October 11th, 2022, people who travel from countries with a former visa-waiver agreement with Japan have been able to travel to Japan freely again! Of . Once you have informed your schedule with us and need to discuss it, then if we agree, we can apply for your ERFS registration. For more than two years, Japan's borders remained closed to tourists. TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan said on Tuesday it would start conducting "test tourism" in the form of limited package tours in May as a way of gathering information prior to a full re-opening of the . Visa-exempt travelers can travel to Japan from October 2022. Sign in and subscribe for the latest Japan travel news and updates.