

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan introduced on Thursday, Sept. 22, the long-awaited information that Japan plans to completely reopen for overseas tourism on Oct. 11, Bloomberg reported.
Japan is likely one of the final remaining nations with strict COVID-19 bans and restrictions on normal tourism.
Whereas supervised group excursions to Japan have been obtainable for the previous few months, the restrictions on journey discouraged many individuals from reserving journeys. If the plan to reopen extra totally strikes ahead, Japan will welcome again particular person vacationers and resume visa waivers, amongst different adjustments.
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Vacationers must be aware that the Japanese authorities has not but publicly provided official particulars for the reopening. Given prior bulletins of plans to reopen for tourism that proved fairly restricted, TPG recommends vacationers await particular particulars from the Japanese Consulate earlier than reserving a visit.
Learn on to seek out out the obtainable particulars of the announcement and what it would imply when it comes to planning your long-awaited journey to Japan.
Japan reopening particulars
In his Sept. 22 press convention in New York, Prime Minister Kishida stated particular person vacationers will quickly be welcomed to Japan with out the requirement of visas or group excursions.
TPG reached out to the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Japanese Consulate in Chicago for affirmation, however neither supplied any additional info concerning the visa program. The consulate in Chicago informed TPG they’d not been given any details about the visa rule change and did not anticipate any official updates till Sept. 26, on condition that this Friday is a nationwide vacation in Japan.
Japan’s Ministry of International Affairs, which governs entry necessities, has additionally not but up to date its info web page with up to date visa info, nor has the visa web site for the Embassy of Japan within the U.S. Vacationers planning a visit ought to seek the advice of these web sites for updates prior to creating any journey preparations.
Assuming Japan visa rules return to pre-COVID-19 insurance policies, vacationers from the U.S. and most different nations might be permitted to go to Japan for intervals of as much as 90 days with out a visa.
Nevertheless, vacationers may have to supply proof of vaccination (together with a booster shot) or a adverse COVID-19 PCR check to enter the nation with out quarantine, in keeping with a Kyodo Information report cited by The Japan Occasions.
The cap on each day guests to Japan, which had just lately risen from 20,000 to 50,000, can even reportedly be lifted as of Oct. 11 to permit an unrestricted variety of overseas entries, in keeping with the Prime Minister.
Associated: Japan reopens for tour teams
Find out how to plan a Japan journey now
Assuming unrestricted visa-free tourism returns to Japan in October, anticipate there to be an enormous uptick in flight, lodging and tour reservations. As soon as now we have confirmed particulars about Japan’s return to regular tourism practices, you may wish to make preparations as quickly as attainable.
Regardless that signing up for a bunch tour could now not be required for entry to Japan, many guests usually mix a bunch tour with just a few days on both finish of the go to for particular person journey. Plus, Japan’s eased journey restrictions will imply that excursions can have elevated entry to individuals, locations and actions that may have been curtailed in the course of the pandemic.
So, if you happen to’re taken with having a information for a minimum of a part of your journey, attempt to affirm these plans as quickly as attainable.
Count on some tour corporations to supply attractive “return to Japan” offers to assist relaunch excursions. However bear in mind many individuals who’ve had excursions canceled prior to now as a result of visa restrictions can have precedence for acquiring tour area with these operators.
“We’re completely delighted to listen to this,” Julie McCormack, program director for Asia for the MT Sobek tour operator, informed TPG on a name to debate Kishida’s announcement. “We have been hoping for this for a very long time. Japan had been such a superb vacation spot for us earlier than [COVID-19].”
A powerful greenback versus the yen can even make journey inside Japan extra inexpensive to Individuals. The latest alternate fee of 142 yen to $1 set a 24-year low for the foreign money.
Prime Minister Kishida additionally introduced the launch of a journey low cost program inside Japan to assist promote tourism. Particulars should not but obtainable as to what extent the reductions is likely to be obtainable for overseas guests. Seek the advice of the Japan Nationwide Tourism Group web site for the most recent particulars on any potential low cost applications.
Associated: Utilizing factors and miles for a visit to Japan
Backside line
If Japan does lastly reopen to vacationers with out strict group journey or visa necessities, anticipate to see a surge of demand for journey to the nation. E book as quickly as attainable, and preserve your eyes open for engaging bundle offers from tour operators wanting to rebuild their companies.
However, given prior false alarms on Japan’s reopening, make sure to affirm the most recent visa particulars with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate web sites prior to creating any nonrefundable reservations.