A couple of weeks in the past, Japan started permitting impartial, unaccompanied journey travellers for the primary time for the reason that pandemic begun, however nonetheless with visa procedures in place.

On October 11, 2022, Japan will lastly be open. Absolutely open.

The nation has introduced that it’ll open its borders to visa-free journey for impartial travellers. No extra border capability limits, no want for bundle excursions – Japan is on the cusp of absolutely free journey identical to pre-pandemic occasions.

Japan Journey Restrictions

As of October 11, 2022, impartial vacationers will once more have the ability to enter Japan for the aim of tourism.

Beforehand visa-free nations like Canada shall be visa-free as soon as once more, and Canadians will have the ability to enter Japan and keep for as much as 90 days for the needs of tourism.

In fact, vacationers should fulfill different entry obligations, together with displaying both proof of vaccination (together with a 3rd booster dose) or proof of a adverse COVID-19 take a look at.

How Can Canadians Enter Japan?

Till now, Canadians have been capable of enter Japan by way of guided and unguided bundle excursions. Nevertheless, given the numerous procedural hurdles in place, the uptake of the excursions has been quite low, which doesn’t come as a lot of a shock. 

As of October 11, travellers coming from Canada will now not have to e-book bundle excursions or apply for an e-visa.

Nevertheless, Canadians might want to current proof of vaccination with not less than three doses upon getting into Japan to be able to keep away from testing and quarantine necessities. Your Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination will suffice. 

As well as, you’ll additionally want to finish a well being questionnaire to be granted entry. 

Present Well being Necessities in Japan

March 18, 2022 marked the date that Japan’s state of emergency was lifted in all 18 remaining prefectures, that means that COVID circumstances have dropped sufficiently low sufficient that life can return to semi-normal.

Eating places are absolutely open as soon as once more, as are film theatres, museums, cultural occasions, and usually another vacationer sights. 

There are not any vaccination necessities for any of the above, nor will there be any vaccination checks.

There are nonetheless some minor restrictions in place, similar to “non-certified eating places” solely having the ability to seat as much as 4 individuals per desk, however that shouldn’t have a big effect in your journey.

Masks are required in all indoor areas in addition to all outdoor the place you “might encounter different individuals”, which mainly means they’re required on a regular basis. Regardless of issues being a bit completely different with restrictions at dwelling, don’t neglect to maximise your baggage allowance with enough face masks.

Methods to Get to Japan

To East Asia, Aeroplan naturally involves thoughts with its incredible price of 75,000 factors one-way in enterprise class, so long as the general routing falls at or below 7,500 miles in distance flown — which incorporates all direct flights from North America.

West Coast residents specifically will profit from Aeroplan’s incredible candy spot of solely 55,000 factors one-way for a direct flight from Vancouver or Calgary to Tokyo.

Air Canada flights can nonetheless be priced exorbitantly below dynamic pricing, so utilizing your eUpgrades with the “Latitude Perspective” technique is the optimum method to improve right into a enterprise class seat. 

For individuals who dabble within the US bank card recreation, you possibly can e-book a one-way journey in ANA First Class for simply 55,000 Virgin Atlantic miles from the West Coast and 60,000 Virgin Atlantic miles from the East Coast.

That is arguably the perfect candy spot that presently exists on the market, and there’s nothing fairly like bottomless Hibiki 21 whiskey and Japanese effective eating within the sky to have fun Japan’s long-awaited reopening.

With Alaska Mileage Plan, you may as well fly direct on on Japan Airways for 60,000 miles in enterprise class and 70,000 miles in First Class, one other glorious candy spot to purpose for in your first educational or business go to to Japan within the post-pandemic period.

Japan Airways First Class award house is kind of plentiful 14 days previous to the date of departure. 

Conclusion

After what seems like an eternity of being closed off to the world, Japan is lastly set to completely reopen their borders to tourism as of October 11, 2022.

No visa necessities, no bundle tour bookings – merely e-book your flight and go, identical to 2019.

Have your proof of vaccination with three doses and also you’ll be all set to enter the island nation identified for its historical past, surroundings, and world-famous delicacies.

And ensure to get your flight and resort bookings in now, as we’d anticipate award house to tighten up considerably and resort costs to soar now that the world’s most highly-anticipated border reopening has lastly taken place.