. Public opinion polls show that most voters have already moved on from COVID to assorted scandals; the minority who still care will see no immediate increase in cases correlating with the border reopening. Japan fully reopening in full is all but inevitable at this point. Visa waiver is back, no daily limit and free individual visits. 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. [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 Hi Tom, In today's Face-to-Face interview, Professor Wolfgang Arlt, founder and CEO of the China Outbound . and executives subscribed to our daily newsletter. Thanks for all the updates and helpful info during this stressful and hard time, Tom!! 28 Feb 2023 0. Japan's Tentative Border Reopening Likely to Have Limited Impact Best wishes to everyone on your travels!! 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. Japan to lift COVID-19 entry ban for 106 countries - RAPPLER Subscribers also receive a totally free copy of ourJapan on a BudgeteBook. This will save you significant money on accommodations, attractions, temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants! Intrepid Travel: Japan - Land of the Rising Sun. Is Japan open to travelers? It's where Singaporeans want to travel - CNBC Finally, there has been some good news about the state of the Japanese border closure for almost all tourists. It now appears that the time is hereor coming very soon. Updated 7 June 2022. 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 . . 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. All Rights Reserved. Grab your passport: Japan is once again open to the world How to Travel to Japan in 2022 as a Tourist | Tokyo Weekender Japan opening borders 2022 for tourists. This was a great place to keep up to date on the happenings. That theres more upside than downside risk in reopening and encouraging more economic activity. Japan to relax border controls for passengers from China from Wednesday Fly into one airport and out of another Plan to do 4 nights in Singapore on way back to Australia Join over 180,000 travel agents, professionals We eagerly await your arrival!. 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. Nov. Dec. Then Covid hit. Both of these statements are reassuring given the current border closures, and indicate that Japan will unwind its travel ban in months, not years. While there are still some covid-related protocols in place, it's likely that the entire pandemic-era regime of border measures will be done away with my some point in 2023. 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. 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. 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Japan slams the borders shut on Omicron - East Asia Forum 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 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. sheeesh still cant believe my trip starting october 22nd might actually happen this time (). 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. (It took a few more days for the guidelines to be released, and the clarifying FAQ isstillbeing updated. Japan has announced it will lift tough Covid restrictions on foreign tourists, reopening the borders after two and a half years. There are no quarantine requirements, and travel is visa-free for the vast majority of people reading this. On October 11, Japan will finally open its doors to independent travel following more than two years of some of the world's toughest border restrictions. 2022 Reopening Borders Japan Tourists | Japan City Tour 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. May 6, 2022. 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. In our view, koyo (autumn leaves) season is a good bet, and that takes place from mid-November through December. More information can be found here . With the relaxed travel measures, Japan is fully prepared to host these events. The key question is: Can it learn to love foreign tourists again? On August 31, Kishida made an official announcement encompassing all of the rumored changes, including unguided tourists. Japan also began allowing unguided tours, meaning ones not accompanied by tour conductors. As for you, Tom Id buy you a round at my favourite izakaya if I could! As COVID Fears Ebb, Japan Readies for Tourists From Abroad js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs has offered new guidance that were covering inJapan Reopening to Individual Tourists: FAQ, Rules & Guidelines. Like a moth to a flame.). Thank you Tom and to everyone for all the insights, info, and updates. Is this a here we go again moment looming? From the beginning this page was the only place I checked (sometimes daily) for hope. 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. It is available from 10:00 to 17:00, and can be reached at 03-6233-9266. 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. If/when theres another winter resurgence in cases, the reopening can would effectively be kicked down the road for a few more months. 2023 when Japan is scheduled to downgrade the categorization of the virus. Thatll help you prepare for arrival, and potentially save time at the airport. However, as we have seen time and time again, the patently obvious conclusion often is not the outcome reached by Japan. Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. WHO urges countries to keep borders open as world races to contain Covid variant. Autumn is already a lost cause. We will review all three restrictions together. We typically spend a couple of months in Japan each year, and are ecstatic to be returning after nearly 3 years away. . Japan is always one decade lagging behind the developed world. Japan will close its borders to all foreigners from Tuesday, . I assume well hear from AndyO soon, admitting he was wrong, like he demanded from so many of us. Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. It's official: Japan will reopen to tourism on October 11. Is Japan ready to reopen its borders? | East Asia Forum As governor of Tokyo, that would be tomorrow.. Do I need to do a pre-departure Covid test? Its pretty clear the government is focused on moving forward. Demand vaccine certificates or PCR testing, and give people the freedom of movement. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. (With the possible workaround of travel insurance or some other awkward fix.). Want to receive free updates on when Japan will reopen for travel? The new Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park opens here with a rooftop infinity pool and views over the park, in 2023. Visit Japan Web App also let me pre fill out for immigration and customs, and just use the QR codes for those as well. We know there are a lot of people overseas who want to come to Japan, Kihara added. Commentary: Tourists would love to visit Japan. Will Japan love them Thats the sharpest fall on record according to the Japan Tourism Agency. Travel to Japan during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go - CNN Speaking of which, check out ourJapan Fall Colors Forecast & Autumn Foliage Viewing Guideto get started on planning your trip to visit Japans popular fall foliage cities, including Kyoto, Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Himeji, and Nara. By Lilit Marcus, CNN Published 9:20 PM EDT, Sun July 31, 2022 Link Copied! Japan Tourism: The decision means Japan will allow in a limited number of foreign tourists on package tours starting June 10.