We typically spend a couple of months in Japan each year, and are ecstatic to be returning after nearly 3 years away. Japan has seasonal attractions in fall and winter. 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. 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. 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. There are also signs that stringent travel measures, including the border closure, are having a greater impact on Japans economy than previously believed. Nagoya 2023 will see the opening of the remaining two areas of the Studio Ghibli Park, making the lesser celebrated city of Nagoya a key transit point for would-be visitors. 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. Updated 7 June 2022. Economists fear a double dip recession in Japan due to the prolonged closures and restrictions. 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. Best wishes to everyone on your travels!! Autumn is already a lost cause. It kind of fell like a little community in here, like I know from Discord groups. It is finally over. The national border is under the management of central government, Koike said. . With the yen weak, tourism has the potential to provide an . Thank you Tom for providing us a platform to discuss thing amidst all the confusing developments and giving us updates. Explore Japan's lesser-known destinations over 13 adventure-packed days, sipping sake in Takayama and marvelling at the iconic floating torii gate . Japans economy has serious issues and inbound tourism was previously a bright spot. 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. Wow, i cant believe it. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Thats the sharpest fall on record according to the Japan Tourism Agency. 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. Or, that this barrier does still exist and Japan will have to create a solution for it (travel insurance?) The Japanese government recently eased its COVID-19 entry restrictions, meaning tourists can now visit without being on a guided tour. 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. Was less crowded than when I was there before, especially at the airport. Ive missed it so much. Can I Travel to Japan Now? See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. 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 . Boosting tourism was core to the late former Prime Minister Abes economic revitalization, and both subsequent prime ministers have indicated their intentions to maintain continuity with those plans. "We will lift the ceiling of the number of entrants. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly plans to make a decision as early as the end of this week, according to the news outlets sources. How do you view the news about guided tours? Was great being here. It was finally announced that from October 11, 2022, the borders would be reopening to visa-free tourists. Still, Wanping Aw, CEO of the Tokyo-based travel agency Tokudaw said her company saw a large uptick in business after Japan reopened its borders in June with 50% of enquires and bookings . Japan opening borders 2022 for tourists. Cases are currently in freefall and will continue decreasing next month before bottoming out sometime between late October and early November. 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. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. For general inquiries about border measures for entry into Japan, please contact the following numbers Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's Call Center Open 9 AM to 9 PM, everyday including weekend and holidays. Frankly, the miscalculation here by the Kishida administration is thinking that this will have an immediate impact on inbound travel. Second, theres awareness within theKishida administration that the window of opportunity to reopen the border is closing. Think the need to adapt and live with the endemic virus will outweigh fear when it comes to Japans reopening plans? We were wrongthe unguided tours offered two steps forward but one step backwards. obsolete information. 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. One wildcard is the downgrade of COVIDs legal status. Thank you, for this wonderful site with its very helpful regular updates! P.S. I just got back from my first post re-opening trip to Japan, and am open to answering questions. This is because Japan has formally decided to downgrade the legal status of the novel coronavirus on May 8, 2023 to the same category as common infectious diseases, such as seasonal influenza, thereby easing COVID-19 prevention rules. World News Reuters Updated: May 30, 2022 2:06 pm IST Like a moth to a flame.). Ill be sticking around for the future updates and travel guides. Its entirely possible that Kishida sees this polling and his sagging approval numbers and realizes that its time to move forward. Im heading to Tokyo for the first time in 3.5 years on October 23rd and I cant wait! The new Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park opens here with a rooftop infinity pool and views over the park, in 2023. By. To say it one last time cheers, Tom. The infection situation has been stabilizing in Japan and the government will consult with public health experts before reviewing the country's . The arrivals cap would also be eliminated in this scenario. Additionally, the Japan National Tourism Organization has set 2024 as its goal for recovering to 2019 international travel levels. Our view is that the worst-case scenario is nowhighlyunlikely. 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. 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. 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. This indicates that Japan is finally ready to move forward and sets the precedent for future changes during waves. May 6, 2022. Just open the borders already. I wish you all the best with your upcoming tripsthanks again for everything. 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. This is sad fact, though. Will be heading back again in a couple of weeks. Against that economic backdrop, lets take a look at the latest changes to Japans reopening plans. 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. Your email address will not be published. Subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest news & instant alerts. 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. With the relaxed travel measures, Japan is fully prepared to host these events. TEL: 0120-248-668 (Japanese only) . var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; (It took a few more days for the guidelines to be released, and the clarifying FAQ isstillbeing updated. People attending the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, sing the national anthem during the opening session, at the National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, March 2, 2023. Kihara isnt the only one who has been vocal about fully reopening to tourists recently. The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. Its thus our view that Japan reopening in some capacity to individual tourists in October is a very realistic scenario. TOKYO: Japan looks like it may finally open its borders and end its splendid isolation. 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. What follows is based on that research and fixation with the on-the-ground situation in Japan. 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? Thanks Tom, and everyone! 2023 when Japan is scheduled to downgrade the categorization of the virus. Does that mean it will be as easy to visit now as it was pre-pandemic? Who knowsit still may take until early 2023 to fully downgrade the legal status of COVID. 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. Spending another night in Okinawa for the 55th stay of my ongoing 87-day adventure across Japan, I absent-mindedly typed the letter J into my web browser, only to have this article come up as the first suggestion. Japan will open an embassy in Malta. Thats a wild card that could further extend any timeline. }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-adqosrqps")); If youre planning a visit to Japan, our recommendation at this point is to target sometime in November at the earliest. Which brings us to a threshold issue:when will Japan reopen?This week, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is in New York to deliver an address at the U.N. General [], Your email address will not be published. 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. 2023 will bring the opening of a farm area for agritourism, with a private villa area due to open in 2024. 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. If/when theres another winter resurgence in cases, the reopening can would effectively be kicked down the road for a few more months. 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. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. Japan has announced it will lift tough Covid restrictions on foreign tourists, reopening the borders after two and a half years. A Hong Kong women's rights group cancelled a demonstration at the last minute on Saturday after police said violent groups might want to join the protest. Travelers from most countries can now enter Japan without applying for a visa in advance. 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. That theres more upside than downside risk in reopening and encouraging more economic activity. The next step for Japan, I think, is Corona downgrade and mask usage. There will be a winter resurgence. We also recommend consulting ourUltimate Guide to KyotoandUltimate Guide to Tokyoto plan. Except for everyone wearing masks, things seemed mostly back to normal. Intrepid Travel: Japan - Land of the Rising Sun. 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. Can you write one last update about the boarder being opened. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon. As weve stressed repeatedly, Japans populace has been among the most cautious in the world with regard to COVID-19. As always, Japan is cautious and conservative, with a slow and belabored decision-making process that often embodies analysis paralysis and usually defies logic. Those two posts cover essentially everything you need to know about visiting Japan as of 2023. This will save you significant money on accommodations, attractions, temples, groceries, transportation, and even Michelin-rated restaurants! so its confirmed Thanks so much Tom. Thanks for the posts, Tom. This is where there is disagreement among the major outlets. So why aren't tourists coming back? Weve already returned to Japan, spending about a month in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and elsewhere. Moreover, how this played out with Japans last announcement is also instructive. China reopening most likely late Jan/Feb 2023. In today's Face-to-Face interview, Professor Wolfgang Arlt, founder and CEO of the China Outbound . 2023 GPlusMedia Inc. national Japan to increase daily border cap to 5,000 people from Nov 26. 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. That's a hardship for the many. You no longer need a visa to travel to Japan for up to 90 days. 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. 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. The total of guests at hotels and inns was 315.75 million, down 4.8% from 2020 and 47% from 2019. I came to your page because this comments section and its provisional community provided something both unique and welcome in a dark time for travellers of Japan. Thank you so much for this free and respectful space for everyones opinions that has helped us get through these difficult years. Are you concerned that Japan wont reopen until 2023, or think October is still realistic? TRAVEL NEWS, JOBS & EVENTS! sheeesh still cant believe my trip starting october 22nd might actually happen this time (). Nov. Dec. Then Covid hit. Japan has chosen a different course. But I was there from the beginning, first as a lurker and then eventually as a participant, so I know precisely how it came to be. After a series of head fake border. 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. Will Japan open borders in 2023? 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. Mon 10 Oct 2022 23.22 EDT Last modified on Tue 11 Oct 2022 07.34 EDT Japan has fully opened its doors to visitors after more than two years of pandemic isolation. More information can be found here . 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 . We have more good news! 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? . Of course, things could change between now and then, but its likely the border will revert to late 2019 status as of that date. It thus stands to reason that opening to individual tourists necessarily needs to occurthat raising the entry cap will do nothing in furtherance of their stated goal. The endisnear. Here are all the details on visa-free travel, vaccination and Covid test requirements. We had a nice little community here, and that was greatly appreciated. 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. first infection wave in spring 2020, and some closed again during subsequent waves; however, almost all of them are now open again. Economic benefits of international tourists is one big reason why Japan is expected to reopen its border. Would you consider visiting Japan later this year, or is international travel out of the question for you anytime soon? Over two years into this, the seasonality of COVID transmission is well-established. 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. Visit in Spring or Autumn. Not so much in the last couple of years, as this has been reflected in policy-making. China retaliated by suspending the issuing of short-term visas in South Korea and Japan. The Mana Village A collection of villa properties opening in stages on the wild and rustic southern coastline of Kochi prefecture, on Shikoku island. For better or worse, Japan is an insular and culturally conservative countrya characteristic that is often valued by visitors. There are no quarantine requirements, and travel is visa-free for the vast majority of people reading this. 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. 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. Thanks again for all the work you put into this. STAY UPDATED WITH THE LATEST Do I need to do a pre-departure Covid test? Well, I visited only recently but it was one of the (very few) level-headed sites that discussed this topic. Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. It will happen soon. 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. 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. Either way, thats something to continue keeping in mind. That may soon change. Compared with the pre-pandemic level in 2019, it dropped 99.2 percent. 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. Its now the popular position being advanced publicly by politicians, not just being advocated by Keidanren or Japans business lobby. Ive started to see on JP twitter people asking for No mask in Japan too, so the sentiment is shifting even there. 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. 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. The country's domestic and international business community united on Friday in urging the government to open further, including "rapidly resuming" individual tourist travel and bringing. These measures are long-awaited news for tourists around the world who have been looking forward to visiting Japan. During the Bloomberg New Voices panel,Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said she would open the countrys doors tomorrow if it were her decision. Finally booked my flights, enjoy your trips everyone! Thanks for your commitment, communication and consultation over the last 2 years. In our view, koyo (autumn leaves) season is a good bet, and that takes place from mid-November through December. On Tuesday, the country. 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. 28 Feb 2023 0. Sort of. 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. The country eased border controls . May all our trips be everything we dreamt of and more. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday his country will ease COVID-19 border control requirements next month, a key step in fostering a recovery in Japan's tourism sector, which is eager to take advantage of the yen's slide to a 24-year low. 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. Take a dip in one at the soon-to-open, . 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. Japan slams the borders shut on Omicron. These are questions among those planning trips to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and this covers the answers. 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. Independent tourists are not yet granted entry, although they can be expected to be allowed back by Autumn 2022. First, there is consensus that the daily arrival cap, which is currently set at 50,000, will be eliminated entirely. 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. We eagerly await your arrival!. Currently, citizens of 68 countries and regions will be allowed to . All Rights Reserved. Are borders open as normal in 2023? 216. 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. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. I already moved on to read your other Japan travel posts to get tips which are also so helpful! 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.
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