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Japan gives green light to non-guided package tours

TOKYO - Japan will conditionally allow foreign tourists to travel without a chaperone from next Wednesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said.

The daily limit for all arrivals – including Japanese nationals, foreign residents, as well as those entering on business and tourist visas – will be raised to 50,000 from 20,000 people.

Since June, Japan has mandated guided tours for all leisure travellers – a hurdle too high for many prospective visitors who have lamented the lack of freedom.

Japan, which in 2019 received a record 31.9 million visitors, welcomed 8,155 tourists in June and July, said the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Figures from the Japan Tourism Agency as of last Friday showed that 12,112 tourist visas had been granted for September and another 8,710 for October onwards.

The measures, announced at a news conference on Wednesday, have been cheered as a positive step in Japan’s reopening to tourism, with the country still lagging behind most of the world in easing Covid-19 border controls.

Among the other Group of Seven member countries, Britain, France, Germany and Italy have fully reopened to unvaccinated travellers and have no Covid-19 testing and quarantine requirements.

In the region, Australia, Malaysia and Vietnam have also dropped their border controls.

Mr Kishida, noting that tourism and international exchanges have been on the rebound all over the world, said that the latest steps will “allow foreigners to resume interactions with Japan and to benefit from the weaker yen”.

Yet the impact of the new measures is unclear, given that free-and-easy travel has not resumed and travellers will still be bound by conditions.

First, visas remain mandatory for all travellers. Tourists from all countries must apply for a visa through authorised travel agents by signing up for what Japan describes as a “non-guided package tour”. 

Second, even if travellers no longer have to be chaperoned, the travel agencies that sponsor their visa will likely still have to coordinate and manage itineraries, as well as ensure Covid-19 countermeasures by reporting positive cases.

Third, while Japan is doing away with the requirement for pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests from next Wednesday, this is only for those who have received at least three jabs of approved vaccines.

All other travellers must still take a PCR test within 72 hours before their flight. Japan does not recognise Chinese-made vaccines.

Mr Kishida said on Wednesday, without elaborating, that Japan will “further ease border control measures by taking into account the Covid-19 situation at home and abroad, as well as measures taken by other nations”.

Japan has topped the world in new Covid-19 infections for five weeks in a row, according to World Health Organisation data. But the Omicron-driven seventh wave in Japan appears to have peaked.

There were 169,800 cases nationwide on Wednesday, down 30.2 per cent from a week ago.

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Japan To Re-open To Global Tourists For Non-guided Group Travel, Daily Entry Cap Raised To 50,000 Pax

Japan allows non-guided group tours

After maintaining some of the strictest Covid-19 border controls among major economies since the start of the pandemic, Japan has finally announced updates to its travel regulations. Foreign tourists will be allowed non-guided group travel, with a smoother entry process. 

Look forward to non-guided group tours & raised entry cap

Earlier today, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio announced that Japan will allow non-guided package tours for visitors from all countries. This means that travellers will still have to purchase packages from authorised tour agencies, and keep strictly to the set travel itinerary instead of going off on their own to explore the country. 

The daily entry cap will also be raised to 50,000 people starting from 7th September – which is 2.5 times the current limit of 20,000.

Japan reopened its borders on 10th June to travellers on guided package tours, but remained closed to independent travelers. Kishida said that the easing of border controls is intended to spur visits from people who are looking to visit Japan due to the favourable exchange rates now. 

Covid-test requirement scrapped for vaccinated travelers

Last week, Kishida also announced that from 7th September onwards, travellers who have received three vaccine doses would no longer be required to show a negative Covid-19 result to enter Japan. 

Visa waiver still up in the air

With free-and-easy travel in sight, Japan would have to revise its visa waiver regulations soon. Japan halted visa waivers for applicable passport holders during the pandemic. 

Currently, Japan’s borders are only open to their own citizens, as well as people who are holding long-term and pre-issued tourism visas. 

Stay abreast of the latest Japan travel updates 

The easing of travel restrictions will be good news for both foreign tourists looking to explore Japan on their own, as well as Japan’s local economy. 

If you’re intending to travel to Japan, make arrangements ahead and keep yourself updated with our guide on visa procedures, apps to download and what to expect after you land. 

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Japan Is Making It Easier for Tour Groups to Visit — Here's How

Although individual tourists are still not allowed, Japan is easing its rules when it comes to group tours.

Kosuke Okahara/Getty Images

Japan will allow tour groups without a guide starting next week in the latest lift of its pandemic-era travel rules.

The country, which first reopened to escorted group tours in June, will now allow unescorted visitors on "package tours" starting Sept. 7, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday, according to The Japan Times . The country will also raise its daily arrival cap to 50,000, an increase from its initial cap of 20,000. 

Kishida said he would consider easing border restrictions even further in the future.

“In countries worldwide, international exchange is growing,” Kishida said, according to the site. “To participate in these exchanges and to benefit from the weaker yen, we will raise the daily arrival cap to 50,000 from Sept. 7, as well as allow [tourists on] nonguided tours from all countries to enter the country.” 

Under the new rules, tourists will no longer need an escort, but they will still need “sponsors,” or travel agencies in Japan, The Japan Times reported. Individual tourists are still not allowed.

Earlier this month, Japan took another step to ease entry rules, dropping its pre-departure test requirement for travelers who received at least three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan . That rule also goes into effect on Sept. 7. Until then, travelers must submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their departure.

Japan’s tourism industry has been struggling. As of the end of July, just over 8,000 foreign tourists had visited the country since it re-opened, The Japan Times noted, citing the Immigration Services Agency.

Japan maintains some of the strictest border rules in the region with countries like Thailand and Singapore dropping testing and quarantine rules and allowing visitors to travel freely. 

In anticipation of demand, Delta Air Lines is making it easier to get to Japan , resuming service from Los Angeles to Tokyo on Oct. 30 and adding a new flight from Hawaii on Dec. 1, as well as  opening its only international Sky Club lounge in Haneda Airport last month.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Japan to allow nonguided tour groups from September but entry will still be severely limited

Japan has further relaxed its COVID-19-related travel restrictions, finally allowing travelers to visit the Land of the Rising Sun without an escort.

From Sept. 7, foreign tourists will be able to visit the Pacific archipelago without being tied to a guided tour. Additionally, the arrival cap will marginally increase from 20,000 to 50,000 daily tourists.

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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he hoped the new measures would awaken the former economic powerhouse's tourism industry, still groggy from almost three years of travel restrictions. He added that tourist-friendly exchange rates in particular should prove a major lure.

"In countries worldwide, international exchange is growing," said Kishida. "To participate in these exchanges and to benefit from the weaker yen, we will raise the daily arrival cap to 50,000 from Sept 7, as well as allow [tourists on] nonguided tours from all countries to enter the country."

Tourists will still need to be vaccinated and assigned to a package tour to obtain a visa, but they will no longer need to be supervised.

What exactly constitutes a package tour is not clear, but ministers said guidelines will be released in the coming days.

Related: Japan announces limited reopening plan — hope for an eventual return of tourism?

This is a big step for Japan. One of the world's last COVID-19 travel-ban holdouts, it had been closed to tourists since 2020.

In June, it began allowing foreign tourists into the country, but only on tightly controlled guided tours. On top of that, visitors were expected to provide proof of a negative test up to 72 hours before departure and apply for a visa — a laborious and time-consuming process that industry experts said turned people off from visiting Japan.

Ministers hope that loosening their current restrictions will breathe life into the nation's wheezing economy, as the strict, guided tours have not been popular with tourists. According to Japan's Immigration Services Agency, only 8,155 foreign tourists visited Japan in June and July. Maintaining a strict 50,000-tourist arrival cap could still deter some tourists from booking trips.

What do I need to enter Japan?

At the time of writing, the U.S. Department of State has not yet updated guidance on its website; however, you will no longer need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test up to 72 hours prior to your departure, nor will you have to be signed up for an approved tour.

Instead, you simply need to be fully vaccinated and signed up for a package tour, the exact details of which are not yet available.

What does it mean to be 'fully vaccinated' in Japan?

If you can prove you have received two doses of the AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines (or one of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) as well as an additional booster shot from Pfizer or Moderna, then you will be considered fully vaccinated. You will be exempt from quarantine and self-isolation. AstraZeneca is not accepted as a valid booster.

If you are identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive on arrival, you will be required to quarantine or self-isolate for seven days.

Unvaccinated travelers no longer need to self-isolate but are expected to provide proof of a negative test up to 72 hours before departure; it must be signed and stamped by the laboratory where the test was taken.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State website, or the Japan National Tourism Organization website.

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Japan to allow “non-escorted package tours” from 7 September

From 7 September, Japan will remove the chaperone requirement for tourists and scrap pre-departure testing, as it inches towards reopening.

Japan’s never-ending charade of will-they-won’t-they looks set to continue, as the country announces a further easing of tourism restrictions effective 7 September 2022. 

First, the bad news: free-and-easy travel still won’t be possible. If you were hoping to book your own ticket, fly to Japan and start exploring at your leisure, you’ll still need to wait.

The good news, if it can be called that, is that Japan will no longer require escorted tours. Tourists will be allowed to purchase nonguided packages from a tour operator, without constant supervision from a handler ala North Korea. 

I suppose that’s somewhat better, but I can’t be the only one frustrated by all this edging. 

Japan further eases tourism restrictions

International tourists to Japan are currently required to be part of an organised tour group, following a fixed itinerary and accompanied by a tour guide from entry to departure. The guidelines are 16 pages long, which hint at how far this arrangement is from business as usual. 

From 7 September 2022, Japan will scrap the requirement for constant supervision. Tourists will be able to purchase “nonguided package tours”. It’s not clear at the moment what exactly that means, but what’s clear is that free-and-easy is not on the cards just yet. 

What I envision is buying a tour package that comes with admission to several attractions, with dining, accommodation and transport arrangements included as well. It’s highly unlikely that travellers will be permitted to book their own flights or hotels, which is bad news for miles and points users.

I don’t really see the public health angle to this, so all I can surmise is it’s a measure to placate local tourism operators.

In other tourism-related developments, Japan will end its pre-departure test requirement for vaccinated and boosted travellers from 7 September 2022 as well. 

On arrival in Japan, the relevant testing and quarantine measures depend on your 14-day travel history  and vaccination status. 

Singapore is currently classified as a Blue List country, which does not require on-arrival testing or quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. However, if your 14-day travel history cuts across various categories, the restrictions of the strictest one will apply. You can view the categorisation of countries here.  

Yellow List

At the time of writing, Japan has suspended visa-free entry, and all tourists will be required to apply for a visa. 

Japan will further ease its tourism restrictions from 7 September, scrapping pre-departure testing and the requirement for a continuous escort throughout the stay. A package tour and visa are still required, however.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the reopening we were all hoping for. But airlines seem to be betting it happens soon, and I mean, that’s got to be the next step right?

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Hack: skip the immigration lines in kuala lumpur with priority pass, details: changi terminal 2 northern wing reopens, 28 comments.

This endless cockteasing from Japan is just frustrating at this point. Will take my tourist dollars elsewhere tyvm.

Japan’s tourism sector is less than 1% of their GDP, i’m sure they are missing you so badly

Are your feelings hurt Josh? Do you need a hug from teddy?

Not really, just laughing at how you think Japan cares where you spend your few dollars lmao

Cope harder weeb

Imagine criticizing a government for putting what its own people wants ahead of what foreigners want.

Haven’t you been living in Singapore long enough?

Hello retard, it was 7.x% in 2019. Might want to get your facts right before you mouth off, even on the Internet. Oh wait I forgot you’re mentally deficient.

Let’s hope we have the real good news soon as there are talks about this happening in Nov/Dec 2022.

Do you think its risky to book 12mths ahead on SQ saver points and speculate that leisure travel restrictions will all be relaxed by then? Am thinking it will be sooo hard to book on saver points once Japan fully opens.

I will go ahead since there is travel plan in 2023.

There already are no saver redemptions available for 2023 for Japan…

Well,at least theres some progress,with some restrictions Waiting for the day when they finally decide to open up fully

These measures are now so far removed from anything to do with health, the rest of the world can only laugh at the sheer stupidity.

No one’s forcing you to go. There are 195 other countries in the world you can choose from

Good Lord Mike why are you such a loser

Cause I don’t believe in pointless whining when there are countless other options available

Actually, I never said anyone was forcing me to go. In fact, I never said I even wanted to go. So your comment was pretty irrelevant really. What I said was, that their policy is so far removed from anything to do with health, that you can only laugh at the sheer stupidity – a comment which says nothing about my desire or intent to go or not to go. So I was not engaging in “pointless whining”. I was noting the sheer stupidity of their policy. No more. No less.

What can you do Mark, some people are just too sensitive and/or quick to look for trouble on the Internet hahaha

its the politics. pm approval ratings are falling post abe (RIP) and population in general does not want jp to open up. even if generally polite sgporeans are amongst the most preferred tourists for them.

what the hell is non escorted package tours

That’s the thing, no one fucking knows because the Japanese government never gives full details on their travel programs until last minute. It’s driving me insane; my honeymoon flight is booked for October and I’m unable to make plans for my honeymoon or to instead spend time with friends and family because they have to make slow changes and never be clear with the information they give, and since the trip is two months long I need to use miles to afford all those hotels. I’m also reading articles in Japanese about how they want to get wealthy tourists into …  Read more »

Needs a little more detail…. Japanese travel agency are quoting people a minimum 10,000 Yen/day/pax levy. So not only do you have to book your itinerary though them where you must only do at that time what is on there, you also have to book your hotel, etc. on top of that. I’ve seen some quotes today on the “tourist tax” at up to 25,000 Yen/day. For all those complaining, this is similar to the updated tour package rules for Bhutan (I’ve been to both countries). Therefore this will only insure high value tourists are able to enter and keep …  Read more »

Do you have some specific articles I could read about this daily tax? I spent a couple years before COVID saving up to take a month-long trip to Japan in 2020, which obviously never happened. Unfortunately, while I managed to never spend any of my Japan Trip fund, and even managed to set aside more money, there’s no way I could afford an extra $3000+ dollars being tacked on to the cost of the trip. 🙁 Realistically, I suppose I’m not the lucrative traveler Japan is trying to attract. I wouldn’t have stayed in fancy hotels, or eaten at expensive …  Read more »

Spore Japan Embassy has except visa application for Individual for less than 30 days sightseeing tour. The form required did not specify you must book thru a travel agent, just your detail itenery and hotels needed. However all appointments for visa application has been filled till late October.

Eh … don’t give ppl false hope leh. There’s only “Package Tour (30 Days)” visa application if that’s what you are referring to; see https://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/phased_measures_for_resuming_cross-border_travel.html . Visa with special exceptional circumstances need to meet the following requirements which is not applicable to independent tourists: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001361129.pdf .

If you are referring to this Visa to Japan page ( https://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa_documents.html ), take note of this line in RED “ For visa application procedures during COVIDｰ19 period, please  click here “.

It’s quite clear that you have to book through a tour agency irregardless: https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/page03_000076.html . Period.

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Japan opens borders to foreign travelers on ‘self-guided tours’

“Self-guided tours” may be the new buzzword when it comes to Japan’s border and travel rules.

The country also raised the daily arrival cap , or the number of all arrivals to Japan per day, to 50,000 and dropped a pre-arrival test requirement for those who have been vaccinated with three shots of a coronavirus vaccine.

Despite the moves, Japan’s border measures are still conservative compared with other major economies, including the U.K. and France, where restrictions on international travel have been lifted entirely.

Last week, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that nonescorted visitors on package tours will be allowed in from Sept. 7. That includes more flexible tours offered by travel agencies that only include flights and hotels and can be booked by individuals, in contrast with the strict group tours that have been permitted since June.

Before Wednesday, guided tourists from nations designated as having a low risk of COVID-19 – referred to as “blue” countries, were able to enter. But now, Japan will allow tourists from higher-risk “yellow” and “red” countries as well.

With the eased restrictions, the only tourists who won’t be allowed will be those who want to stay in accommodations not offered by travel agencies in their package tour bookings, such as private rentals and smaller inns, as well as backpackers or others who don’t want to book hotels in advance.

In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 31.88 million foreign travelers to Japan. But in 2021, the figure plummeted to about 250,000, or about 0.8% of the 2019 figure.

Travel agencies catering to foreign tourists are getting a flood of inquiries after Kishida’s announcement, and some are already offering “self-guided tours” on their website. One of them is Japan Experience, a Paris-based travel agency.

“Despite the current constraints, Japan still attracts a lot of people,” Thierry Maincent, president of Japan Experience, said by email. “Our clients who were not able to travel since the pandemic are eager to travel back to Japan after waiting for over two years.”

But others are staying away from offering unguided tours because they can lose money if travelers get infected with the coronavirus and need assistance on the ground.

“It’ll cost money to have someone on call around the clock in case something happens,” said a travel agency official who asked to remain anonymous. “We’ll need to look for interpreters, alternative accommodation and whatnot, and the cost would not cover the margins that we get from just arranging flights and hotels.”

In unguided tours, travel agencies are required to contact travelers to make sure they understand the protocols. If they develop symptoms of the coronavirus during the trip, they will be required to contact the travel agencies so they can be connected with necessary hospitals and public health centers, or accomodation where they can self-isolate.

All Japan Tours, based in California, is offering a little bit of both — guided tours on some days and free time without a guide on the rest — to make sure visitors get sufficient support if they get sick.

“Also there is so much information you can get from local guides” about Japanese culture and traditions, said Kiyoshi Katsume of All Japan Tours.

But even with the latest easing, there is still one major hurdle that could make foreign tourists hesitant in coming to Japan — visas.

Tourists need to apply for short-term 90-day single-entry visas beforehand, which could be time-consuming. Visas typically take five days or more to be issued at Japanese embassies and consulates.

“The first phase was allowing tourists on escorted tours and the second phase was allowing unguided tourists,” said Kaori Mori, a spokesperson for major tourism agency JTB. “In the third step, hopefully, there would be easing of visas.”

For international travelers, not having to conduct a pre-arrival COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure is also a huge relief, especially when such tests can be costly and harder to access in some countries. Still, those who are vaccinated only with the initial two shots are required to take the pre-arrival tests.

Kim Ah-rum, a 29-year-old who arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport from Seoul on Wednesday, said it was nice that the pre-arrival PCR testing requirement has been dropped.

Overall, the arrival process using the government's fast-track app was smooth, she said, adding it took her only about 20 minutes to reach the arrival lobby from the time her flight landed.

"All good," Kim said.

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Japan to Allow Non-Guided Group Tours From September

Japan will allow non-guided package tours from all countries from Sept. 7 and more than double the number of people it permits to enter daily as it further rolls back some of strictest Covid-19 border controls among major economies.

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(Bloomberg) — Japan will allow non-guided package tours from all countries from Sept. 7 and more than double the number of people it permits to enter daily as it further rolls back some of strictest Covid-19 border controls among major economies.

Japan to Allow Non-Guided Group Tours From September Back to video

The moves announced Wednesday by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, however, do not allow for entry of individual tourists. The premier also didn’t lay out any changes for visa restrictions that place a high bar for entering the country.

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Kishida said the daily entry cap would be raised to 50,000 people from the current 20,000. He also said he wanted to ease border controls to spur visits from people trying to take advantage of a weak yen — eventually loosening border restrictions to the same level as other members of the Group of Seven industrialized nations.

Kishida’s government began to allow limited numbers into the country from June, subject to strict rules such as being part of a package tour with a guide and wearing face masks. Japan had about 246,000 foreign visitors last year, a far cry from the record 31.9 million in 2019. 

Japan to Scrap Covid-Test Requirement for Vaccinated Travelers

Participants in the non-guided package tours would still need to adhere to itineraries set by travel agencies, and individuals won’t be allowed to go off exploring on their own under the relaxed rules. The ongoing restrictions are more stringent than places such as Australia, Singapore and the UK, which impose few if any measures to entry, and are getting a head start in reviving their beleaguered tourism industries. 

Airlines, hotels and retailers in Japan are all eager to regain the business they lost. The small trickle of foreigners allowed into the country last year spent 120 billion yen ($866 million). In 2019, they spent 4.8 trillion yen, or forty times more, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

Tourism-related stocks rose after Kishida’s announcement, with airlines ANA Holdings Inc. closing the morning session in Tokyo 2.9% higher and Japan Airlines Co. up 3.4%.

Last week, Kishida said that from Sept. 7 Japan would scrap a requirement to show a negative Covid-19 result to enter the country for travelers who have received three vaccine doses. 

While the testing requirement is being relaxed, there’s still the issue of entry visas. Japan’s border is currently only open for people with Japanese nationality, as well as those with long-term and pre-issued tourism visas. It stopped visa waivers for applicable passports during the pandemic.

Threats of Blackouts Drive Japan to Embrace Nuclear Again

On energy policy, Kishida said at the news conference that while there’s no change in the government’s stance of reducing its dependence on nuclear power, it’s important to keep all options available to ensure the country can meet the needs of consumers. The government wants experts to give their opinions on the possible development and construction of next-generation nuclear reactors by year-end, he added.

(Updates with details on group tours, related share moves, Kishida’s comments on energy policy.)

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Japan gives green light to non-guided package tours

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TOKYO - Japan will conditionally allow foreign tourists to travel without a chaperone from next Wednesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said.

The daily limit for all arrivals - including Japanese nationals, foreign residents, and those entering on business or tourist visas - will be raised from 20,000 people to 50,000.

Since June, Japan has mandated guided tours for all leisure travellers - a hurdle too high for many prospective visitors who have lamented the lack of freedom.

Japan, which in 2019 received a record 31.9 million visitors, welcomed 8,155 tourists in June and July, said the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Figures from the Japan Tourism Agency as at last Friday showed that just 12,112 tourist visas had been granted for this month.

The measures, announced at a news conference on Wednesday, have been cheered as a positive step in Japan's reopening to tourism, with the country still lagging behind most of the world in easing Covid-19 border controls.

Of the other Group of Seven countries, Britain, France, Germany and Italy have fully reopened to unvaccinated travellers and have no Covid-19 testing and quarantine requirements.

Scoot to step up number of flights to Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei

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In the region, Australia, Malaysia and Vietnam have also dropped their Covid-19 border controls.

Mr Kishida, noting that tourism and international exchanges have been on the rebound all over the world, said that the latest steps will "allow foreigners to resume interactions with Japan and to benefit from the weaker yen".

Yet the impact of the new measures is unclear, given that free-and-easy travel has not resumed and travellers will still be bound by conditions.

First, visas remain mandatory for all travellers. Tourists from all countries must apply for a visa through authorised travel agents by signing up for what Japan describes as a "non-guided package tour".

Second, even if travellers no longer have to be chaperoned, the travel agencies that sponsor their visa will likely still have to coordinate and manage itineraries, as well as ensure Covid-19 countermeasures by reporting cases.

Third, while Japan is doing away with the requirement for pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests from next Wednesday, this is only for those who have received at least three jabs of approved vaccines.

All other travellers must still take a PCR test within 72 hours before their flight. Japan does not recognise Chinese-made vaccines.

Japan has topped the world in new Covid-19 infections for five weeks in a row, according to World Health Organisation data. But the Omicron-driven seventh wave in Japan appears to have peaked.

There were 169,800 cases nationwide on Wednesday, down 30.2 per cent from a week ago.

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Japan gives green light to non-guided package tours

These measures have been cheered as a positive step in Japan’s reopening to tourism, with the country still lagging behind most of the world in easing Covid-19 border controls.

The Straits Times

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Japan had 353,119 foreign visitors last year, a far cry from the record 31.9 million in 2019. PHOTO: PEXELS

September 1, 2022

TOKYO –  Japan will conditionally allow foreign tourists to travel without a chaperone from next Wednesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said.

The daily limit for all arrivals – including Japanese nationals, foreign residents, as well as those entering on business and tourist visas – will be raised to 50,000 from 20,000 people.

Since June, Japan has mandated guided tours for all leisure travellers – a hurdle too high for many prospective visitors who have lamented the lack of freedom.

Japan, which in 2019 received a record 31.9 million visitors, welcomed 8,155 tourists in June and July, said the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Figures from the Japan Tourism Agency as of last Friday showed that 12,112 tourist visas had been granted for September and another 8,710 for October onwards.

The measures, announced at a news conference on Wednesday, have been cheered as a positive step in Japan’s reopening to tourism, with the country still lagging behind most of the world in easing Covid-19 border controls.

Among the other Group of Seven member countries, Britain, France, Germany and Italy have fully reopened to unvaccinated travellers and have no Covid-19 testing and quarantine requirements.

In the region, Australia, Malaysia and Vietnam have also dropped their border controls.

Mr Kishida, noting that tourism and international exchanges have been on the rebound all over the world, said that the latest steps will “allow foreigners to resume interactions with Japan and to benefit from the weaker yen”.

Yet the impact of the new measures is unclear, given that free-and-easy travel has not resumed and travellers will still be bound by conditions.

First, visas remain mandatory for all travellers. Tourists from all countries must apply for a visa through authorised travel agents by signing up for what Japan describes as a “non-guided package tour”.

Second, even if travellers no longer have to be chaperoned, the travel agencies that sponsor their visa will likely still have to coordinate and manage itineraries, as well as ensure Covid-19 countermeasures by reporting positive cases.

Third, while Japan is doing away with the requirement for pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests from next Wednesday, this is only for those who have received at least three jabs of approved vaccines.

All other travellers must still take a PCR test within 72 hours before their flight. Japan does not recognise Chinese-made vaccines.

Mr Kishida said on Wednesday, without elaborating, that Japan will “further ease border control measures by taking into account the Covid-19 situation at home and abroad, as well as measures taken by other nations”.

Japan has topped the world in new Covid-19 infections for five weeks in a row, according to World Health Organisation data. But the Omicron-driven seventh wave in Japan appears to have peaked.

There were 169,800 cases nationwide on Wednesday, down 30.2 per cent from a week ago.

Tatler Asia

Japan to welcome visa-free individual tourists from october 11.

Sushi, ski holidays and shopping are back on the agenda from October 11 as Japan allows individual visitors to enter the country and does away with much of its existing border control measures

Good news has arrived for many Singaporeans because Japan has finally announced that it will be removing a significant portion of its Covid-19 border controls and allowing individual visitors to enter the country from October 11, according to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Don't miss: Winter Getaway: 5 Best Luxury Resorts in Niseko, Japan to Visit

Japan will also be reinstating visa waivers, Kishida said at a press conference on September 22 in New York. He added that the cap on daily arrivals in Japan will also end.

This move comes just as the yen slumps to its lowest levels against the dollar in almost a quarter of a century (basically, this means that Japan is now a very inexpensive place to visit). Discounts for domestic travel will also be introduced at the same time, Kishida added, which makes Japan even more attractive as a tourist destination.

The influx of tourists that Japan expects as these measures ease will help airlines, hotels and retailers to bounce back from the pandemic. 

Don’t miss: Singaporeans May Be Able to Travel to Japan by June This Year

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno also added this week that the government was considering a change to the law that would enable hotels to turn away guests who refuse to comply with infection control measures.

The news comes just weeks after it was announced that Japan would allow non-guided package tours from all countries and that it will also more than double the daily entry caps as it begins to ease strict Covid-19 border controls.

The daily entry cap was raised to 50,000 people from September 7 from the current number of 20,000. Japan also announced then that it would do away with its requirement to show a negative Covid-19 result to enter the country for travellers who have received three vaccine doses.

Prior to Covid-19, Japan allowed visitors from 68 countries and regions, including the United States and Singapore, to stay for as long as 90 days without a visa. It saw a whopping 32 million visitors in 2019 which slumped to a low of 246,000 last year.

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Japan to allow non-guided group tours and scrap pre-departure tests from September 7

It will be awhile yet before individual, free-and-easy travel is allowed

Today, the Japanese government announced that it will be allowing "non-escorted package tours" from September 7. It will also raise the daily entry cap to 50,000 from the current 20,000. This comes after the confirmation that pre-departure testing will no longer be required for vaccinated and boosted travellers, also from September 7 onwards. 

Currently, international travellers are only allowed to travel in Japan as part of an organised tour group, complete with a fixed itinerary and chaperone at all times. It's not clear what a "non-escorted package tour" looks like yet, but we can guess that tourists will still have to join tour groups to enter Japan, just without a 24/7 babysitter. What we can be sure of is that free-and-easy, individual travel is still not allowed. Bummer. 

Japan has also not lifted the visa requirement for international travellers, so that means that Singaporeans will still have to apply for one before entering the country. 

For some, this is a welcome easing of restrictions. But for those of us who prefer to travel within Japan at our own time and leisure – settle in for a bit more of a wait.  

23 August, 2022

Singaporeans really,  really want to travel to Japan. According to a YouGov survey , it's the most considered holiday destination among Singaporeans – and it's not hard to see why, with its fresh and delicious cuisine, top-notch sake breweries , rich cultural attractions, and other hidden gems to explore. 

The only reason that Singaporeans have not been flocking to the country now that travel has restarted is down to  the strict regulations around entering Japan . But it looks like that's about to change – with news outlets like Nikkei Asia  signalling a potential easing of entry rules. 

According to Japanese news outlets, the country's government is considering an end to Covid-19 pre-departure testing rules. If confirmed, tourists entering Japan will no longer have to produce a negative test result taken within 72 hours of departure. This could take effect in as soon as a few weeks time. 

Japan is also weighing the possibility of doubling the number of tourists allowed to enter the country. The current cap stands at 20,000, but it could be raised to 50,000 as soon as next month. 

That's a lot of 'could's and 'maybe's – it all depends on Japan's Covid-19 case counts. Whatever it is, you can bet that we've got our fingers and toes crossed for good news. Stay tuned for more updates. 

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Japan to allow non-guided group tours, further ease border curbs amid weak yen

Japan will allow non-guided package tours from all countries from sept. 7 but the new travel moves do not allow for entry of individual tourists. the premier also didn’t lay out any changes for visa restrictions that place a high bar for entering the country to exploit weak yen..

Japan will allow non-guided package tours from all countries from Sept. 7 and more than double the number of people it permits to enter daily as it further rolls back some of strictest Covid-19 border controls among major economies.

The moves announced Wednesday by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, however, do not allow for entry of individual tourists. The premier also didn’t lay out any changes for visa restrictions that place a high bar for entering the country.

Kishida said the daily entry cap would be raised to 50,000 people from the current 20,000. He also said he wanted to ease border controls to spur visits from people trying to take advantage of a weak yen -- eventually loosening border restrictions to the same level as other members of the Group of Seven industrialized nations.

Kishida’s government began to allow limited numbers into the country from June, subject to strict rules such as being part of a package tour with a guide and wearing face masks. Japan had about 246,000 foreign visitors last year, a far cry from the record 31.9 million in 2019.

Japan to Scrap Covid-Test Requirement for Vaccinated Travelers

Participants in the non-guided package tours would still need to adhere to itineraries set by travel agencies, and individuals won’t be allowed to go off exploring on their own under the relaxed rules. The ongoing restrictions are more stringent than places such as Australia, Singapore and the UK, which impose few if any measures to entry, and are getting a head start in reviving their beleaguered tourism industries.

Airlines, hotels and retailers in Japan are all eager to regain the business they lost. The small trickle of foreigners allowed into the country last year spent 120 billion yen ($866 million). In 2019, they spent 4.8 trillion yen, or forty times more, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

Tourism-related stocks rose after Kishida’s announcement, with airlines ANA Holdings Inc. closing the morning session in Tokyo 2.9% higher and Japan Airlines Co. up 3.4%.

Last week, Kishida said that from Sept. 7 Japan would scrap a requirement to show a negative Covid-19 result to enter the country for travelers who have received three vaccine doses.

While the testing requirement is being relaxed, there’s still the issue of entry visas. Japan’s border is currently only open for people with Japanese nationality, as well as those with long-term and pre-issued tourism visas. It stopped visa waivers for applicable passports during the pandemic.

On energy policy, Kishida said at the news conference that while there’s no change in the government’s stance of reducing its dependence on nuclear power, it’s important to keep all options available to ensure the country can meet the needs of consumers. The government wants experts to give their opinions on the possible development and construction of next-generation nuclear reactors by year-end, he added.

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Displaying Items By Tag: Minister

Japan moving to allow non - guided tourists in again.

• August 23, 2022

The Japanese government is moving to start accepting overseas tourists who do not want to take guided tours in a bid to address a decline in the numbers of foreign travelers visiting Japan.

The country reopened to foreign holidaymakers in June with the easing of anti-coronavirus border controls. But all tourists are still required to join guided tours and obtain a visa.

The tourists also have to comply with anti-infection measures, such as wearing masks, set under guidelines by the Japanese government.

The government's decision to further ease anti-coronavirus border controls came as the number of foreign tourists entering Japan stood at about 7,900 in July, well below pre-pandemic levels.

Many in the tourism industry insist the current restrictions are discouraging Western tourists from coming to Japan as they prefer an individual style of traveling.

The Japanese government has decided to allow tourists to enter the country without joining a guided tour, if their visit has been arranged through a travel agency. The agencies that arrange tours are expected to manage their clients' schedules. Tourists will also be asked to follow guidelines if cases of infection are confirmed.

But the government will continue to deny entry to individual travelers who don't make arrangements through travel agencies.

The new measure is expected to go into effect in September.

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JAPAN will allow non-guided package tours from all countries and more than double the number of people it allows to enter daily as it further rolls back some of strictest Covid-19 border controls among major economies.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday (Aug 31) the daily entry cap would be raised to 50,000 people from Sep 7 from the current 20,000. He also said he wanted to ease border controls to spur visits from people trying to take advantage of a cheap yen.

Kishida's government began to allow limited numbers to return from June, subject to strict rules such as being part of a package tour with a guide. Japan had 353,119 foreign visitors last year, a far cry from the record 31.9 million in 2019.

Last week, Kishida said from Sep 7 that Japan would scrap a requirement to show a negative Covid-19 result to enter the country for travellers who have received 3 vaccine doses. While the testing requirement is being relaxed, there's still the issue of entry visas. Japan's border is currently only open for people with Japanese nationality, as well as those with long-term and pre-issued tourism visas. It stopped visa waivers for applicable passports during the pandemic. BLOOMBERG

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Japan tackles overtourism with restrictions for some iconic sites

Mar 27, 2024 • 5 min read

From restricted capacity to increased tourist taxes, options are being considered to counter overtourism in Japan © Jon Hicks / Getty Images

Japan is set to limit visitors at some popular attractions so that sites don't suffer from overtourism. Here's what you need to know.

Japan’s enduring popularity for overseas visitors is bringing consequences as the country seeks to balance the benefits of tourism and the impact on the areas visited, particularly at iconic destinations . 

Recently, tourists have been banned from certain private streets in Kyoto ’s famous historic Gion district , traditionally home to the teahouses where geisha  (geiko) and maiko (apprentice geiko ) performers work, largely due to antisocial behaviour. Unruly tourists have even been blamed for harassing geisha, with the Japan Times  reporting that one had her kimono torn and another had a cigarette butt put in her collar.

What new policies are being considered?

New fees and restrictions have already been introduced on climbing specific trails up Mt Fuji , in order to combat overcrowding, reduce the environmental impact — including cleaning up all the trash that results from so many people on the mountain — and improve safety for everyone doing the climb. 

Kyoto is considering special tourist express bus routes, that will whisk visitors to the city’s most iconic sites in order to reduce overcrowding and improve efficiency on regular local buses, as well as to make what can be a complicated system easier for travelers. 

Higher pricing for tourists is also being considered, having largely been absent in Japan, where many of the most famous cultural attractions are surprisingly inexpensive to enter. For example, Kyoto's famous golden temple Kinkaku-ji costs ¥400 for adults, which is about US$2.50. Changing this would be controversial, and it seems more likely that there would be increases in tourist taxes in order to fund services for visitors.

What are tourist taxes used for?

Local tourist taxes, usually collected as an extra on top of payment for your hotel, are common across many parts of the world, although these are relatively low in Japan compared with, say, destinations in the US like Honolulu and San Francisco.

These aim to fund some of the local costs associated with visitors: Kyoto’s is on a sliding scale based on the price of your hotel room, from ¥200–1000 a night (about US$1–7). The city of Hatsukaichi, home to the UNESCO-listed Itsukushima-jinja , often known as Miyajima and famous for its torii gate standing in the water off the island, recently implemented a ¥100 (about US$0.60) fee to fund the preservation and management of the site.

Japan already has a ¥1000 (about US$7) tourist departure tax that you may have never noticed as part of your plane fare.

How is Japan likely to manage the problems of overtourism?

It seems unlikely that Japan will curtail its overall number of visitors because of overtourism. More likely, we’ll see more examples of capacity restrictions in specific places, like on Mt Fuji, where a certain number of people per day are allowed in.

This already happens in some cases in Japan: the famous Ghibli Museum in Tokyo and the new Ghibli Park in Nagoya both have a ticket maximum to maintain the quality of experience and to avoid overcrowding — the price for the former is just ¥1000 or about US$6.50, so it really is about capacity.

Some trains — specifically the fastest Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen between points west of Tokyo — are  not included as part of the Japan Rail Pass , even though the slightly slower trains like the Hikari are. There’s only a few minutes' difference in terms of travel time, but at peak times there can be a half-dozen of the faster trains for every one of the slower ones. This is done for a variety of reasons, including that the clockwork-like efficiency of the shinkansen’s busiest section leaves only the briefest times for passengers to get on and off the train, and confused tourists (often carting large luggage with them) have been known to disrupt operations. Overseas visitors are therefore concentrated into the slightly slower Hikari and much slower Kodama services instead.

A more recent change is the 2020 introduction of  the “Baggage 160” system , where travelers must reserve a space for larger pieces of luggage (over 160cm/63in in combined height, width and depth) on more popular bullet train lines or pay a carry-on fee. The change largely stemmed from the complications of visitors bringing large pieces of luggage onto trains that were not designed with large luggage storage. Japanese travelers tend not to bring large suitcases with them on trains, instead shipping them ahead to their destination via the excellent and inexpensive set of luggage delivery services like Yamato Transport , known as kuroneko  (black cat) after its ubiquitous logo of a black cat carrying a kitten in its mouth.

How will this impact on group tours?

Keep an eye out for capacity management caps or even outright bans to potentially affect group tours first. These can be very unpopular with local people, and indeed with other visitors.

A tour bus full of visitors descending all at once can change the character of a place instantly, and that’s certainly the case in a lot of the most famous Kyoto temples and shrines like Kinkaju-ji, Ryōan-ji or Kiyomizu-dera . These groups often have a reputation for behaving disrespectfully, like talking loudly in places where quiet is expected, not following rules, and getting in the way of local people and more respectful travelers.

You’re unlikely to be affected as an independent traveler, and a smart tactic is to visit at times when these groups are either still making their way from their hotels, have been packed off for lunch, or are heading back at the end of the day — and to plan to explore the less-traveled corners of this fascinating country.

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