Note: This post may contain outdated information. Click here to see the latest information about entry to Japan.
Japan is finally reopening properly to international tourists!
During a recent visit to New York, Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio made an important announcement about changes to entry requirements for international tourists. The main points are explained below.
The ban on individual travel is set to be removed. This means tourists entering Japan no longer need to book flights or hotels through an approved travel agent. Flights and hotels will now able to be booked independently by international tourists starting from October 11, 2022.
The Japan visa waiver agreements are set to be reinstated, meaning many international tourists will no longer need to apply for a visa before entering Japan. Visas will once again able to be issued on arrival. Note: It is possible that the Japan visa waiver agreements may only be available to fully vaccinated travellers.
The Japanese government has also decided to remove the daily entry cap. The entry cap currently allows 50,000 people per day to enter Japan, however this cap will be entirely removed starting from October 11, 2022.
Sources: Kishida: Japan will further ease Covid border controls, Japan to allow visa-free, individual tours starting Oct. 11, Kishida says Japan will ease COVID border controls from Oct 11.
Other important information
As I mentioned in my previous post about Japan reopening, I highly recommend having a read about entry conditions and visas on Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) page here. This website is regularly updated with entry requirements, so be sure to check it out for the latest information.
Even though the strict rules for entering Japan imposed during COVID are due to be eased starting from October 11, be sure to double-check entry requirements before planning your trip. We are living in strange times, and rules and regulations seem to be constantly changing.
Fellow blogger Kate over at Passports and Playgrounds has a writeup about essential Japan travel apps, including the MySOS app currently required for entry to Japan. Be sure to check out her post here to ensure a smooth trip.
Let's chat!
To those who are planning on visiting Japan soon, what's the first thing you plan on doing/seeing once you arrive? To anyone currently living in Japan, how do you feel about the latest news from Prime Minister Kishida Fumio? Let me know in the comments at the bottom of the page!
Hope to see you all in Japan soon!
Recommendations for booking accommodation, day trip tours and other travel related needs. Accommodation: Agoda.com,Booking.com,HostelWorld.com Short tours, activities and day trips: GetYourGuide.com,Viator.com Reviews (restaurants, accommodation, local attractions etc.): TripAdvisor.com Travel Insurance: VisitorsCoverage.com Learn the language: italki.com Cheap travel essentials: Daiso, Amazon.com |
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Yay!! I cannot wait to go and check out Japan, thank you so much for all this wonderful info.
We would love to visit Japan, thank you for all the info- I had no idea it was so involved currently to go there!
This is such great news, I know many Australians who are keen to go back to Japan
Thanks for all of this information, it's great to have it all in one place since things keep changing so quickly! I'm so excited to return to Japan one day soon!
Woot woot! I am so glad Japan is finally reopening! I have not been back for yeeears but I would really like to head over to see friends again! I also really want to visit to go skiing and try out some real ja-pow! ;)