japan travel campaign 2022

‘Go To Travel’ explained

Part of a larger "Go To" campaign intended to restart the Japanese economy following the damage caused by the coronavirus , Go To Travel is a campaign by the national government that offers big discounts on travel inside Japan. Only residents of Japan (including foreign residents) are eligible to take advantage of the campaign.

What is Go To Travel?

• A 35 percent discount on the total cost and
• Coupons worth 15 percent of the total cost to be spent on other travel expenses during the trip

Is there an upper limit?

Yes, there is. The maximum discount that can be received for overnight trips is 13,000 yen per person and night, while the maximum amount of coupons that can be received is 7,000 yen per person and night. In other words, the upper limit applies to travel plans that cost more than 40,000 yen per person and night.

In case of daytrips , the travelers can receive a discount of up to 7,000 yen and coupons of up to 3,000 yen per trip.

Note that children are counted the same as adults. For example, a family of four with two kids can receive a discount of up to 52,000 yen (4 x 13,000 yen) and coupons of up to 28,000 yen (4 x 7,000 yen) on an overnight trip, even if the kids stay for free.

Furthermore, note that only up to seven nights per trip are covered by the campaign. On trips that are longer than eight days, travelers will not be able to profit from the campaign from the 8th night. Note that there is no limit on how many trips can be made during the campaign.

Who is eligible?

All residents of Japan, including foreign residents.

Can temporary visitors to Japan use the campaign?

No, only residents of Japan are eligible.

How long does the campaign last?

The campaign started in late July 2020, but was suspended in December 2020 due to rising coronavirus infection numbers. It is expected to resume once the infection numbers have decreased and continue until at least summer 2021.

Are there any other conditions for participating?

Yes, all participating travelers are requested to follow the "new travel etiquette" with regards to preventing the spread of the coronavirus on their trips. Please visit our page about coronavirus manners for more details.

What is covered?

• Overnight stays at registered lodgings
• Travel plans purchased through registered travel agents

A large majority of hotels and travel agents across the country are registered. Lists of registered businesses are available on the campaign's official website .

Are all regions of Japan covered?

All regions of Japan are covered by the campaign. There is a possibility for some areas to be temporarily excluded from the campaign depending on the spread of the virus.

Does the campaign also apply to transportation, activities, meals and shopping?

The discount applies only if they are part of a travel plan. For example, the discount cannot be applied to regular purchases of flights or rental cars ; however, it does apply if a flight or rental car is part of a travel package sold through a registered travel agent. Likewise, if an activity or meal is part of the travel package, the campaign applies.

What type of daytrips are eligible?

The campaign applies only to daytrip travel packages sold by registered travel agents. The packages have to include 1) transport starting and ending at the same place on the same day and 2) at least some form of travel service besides transport in the destination area, e.g. meals or activities. For example, it does not cover 1-day bus tours that do not include any activities at the destination.

There is no limit on how many trips you can make during the campaign period. However, there is a limit of seven nights per trip that can be covered, meaning that those traveling for more than eight days are not able to profit from the campaign from the 8th night.

How can I use it?

There are mainly two ways to profit from the campaign:

• Book a stay at a registered hotel through the hotel, a travel agent or a reservation website that participates in the campaign.
• Purchase a travel package through a registered travel agent.

At the time of your booking, you pay 65% of the total cost for the accommodation or package, while the 15% in coupons will be issued to you by the travel agent or hotel.

A list of registered hotels and travel agents can be found in Japanese on the campaign's official website . Many hotel reservation websites are also participating in the Go To Travel campaign, including Booking.com and Agoda .

How do I use the coupons?

Coupons can be used to make payments at registered stores and restaurants and for transportation and other travel services in the prefecture visited and surrounding prefectures during the day(s) of your trip. They cannot be refunded. A map showing registered businesses can be found on the campaign's official website .

Links and Resources

Go to travel.

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Go To Travel Campaign Update! How It Works: A Basic Guide for Foreign Residents of Japan (July 2022)

The Go To Travel Campaign, launched on July 22, 2020, was promptly suspended only months later, on December 28. However, with the lifting of the quasi-state of emergency on March 21, 2022, there are hopes that the campaign will soon return. However, we still have yet to hear an official government announcement as of July 2022. As far as a Go To Travel revival goes, however, rather than put it into action all at once, the travel campaign will be seeing a more gradual start, beginning with the resumption of the Prefectural Residents' Discount program in March and the launch of a new travel subsidy, the Regional Block Discount. Many people have taken advantage of these during the long holiday in May, Golden Week. So, what exactly is the Go To Travel campaign? And when will it resume? What changes will take place? Also, what are the Prefectural Residents' Discount and Regional Block Discount programs all about? You've probably asked these questions yourself. In this article, we'll attempt to answer them! *Go To Travel renewal date still to be determined as of July 15, 2022. *Article based on information available as of July 15, 2022. main image：PIXTA

What is the Go To Travel Campaign?

Go to travel campaign renewal step one: prefectural residents' discounts, go to travel campaign renewal step two: regional block discounts, what we currently know about the pre-renewal go to travel campaign, vaccination and infection status in japan as of july 2022.

Go To Travel is a subsidy program initiated by the Japanese government to restore travel and promote tourism throughout Japan's various regions. The campaign's first phase began on July 22, 2020, and lasted until September 1, 2020. The second phase launched on October 1 of the same year, and caused quite a stir with the addition of Tokyo as an eligible region, after being excluded from phase one. The campaign, however, was promptly suspended by the end of the year in response to the fifth wave of Covid-19. Although an announcement on November 19, 2021, hinted at changes being made in preparation for the campaign's resumption, as of July 2022, there is still yet to be an official announcement of its start date. However, several steps have been implemented toward its revival. The Prefectural Residents' Discount, a regional travel subsidy implemented throughout each individual prefecture, was renewed in March of 2022. A new Block Discount has also been established, expanding the Prefectural Residents' Discount to regional blocks such as Tohoku, Kanto, and Kinki. The goal of these programs is to gradually take a 'soft landing approach' to curb infection rates. The movement is summarized below. Step-By-Step Plan Toward Go To Travel Campaign Renewal Step 1 Renewal of Prefectural Residents' Discount starting April 2022: For travel within the prefecture of residence and neighboring prefectures. Will resume sequentially for individual prefectures in areas where infection has been curbed. ↓ Step 2 Regional Block Discount starting April 2022: Until now, prefectural discounts have only applied to individual prefectures. This step will gradually expand that range to include 'regional blocks'. Regions will be divided into six blocks, including Hokkaido/Tohoku, Kanto, and Hokuriku Shinetsu/Chubu. ↓ Step 3 First half of July 2022 - Start of "National Travel Support" postponed: The country had been considering shifting from "Prefectural Residents' Discount" to a nationwide "National Travel Support" program to stimulate tourism demand, but this was postponed due to a rise in Covid cases. ↓ Step 4 Renewal of Go To Travel Campaign (*No official announcement as of July 2022) From the first half of July 2022, the country planned to commence its "National Travel Support" program (in Step 3) and see the completion of the "Prefectural Residents' Discount" for accommodation on July 14 (with check-out on July 15). Due to the recent rise in Covid cases, the Japan Tourism Agency decided to postpone the start of "National Travel Support" on July 14, opting to extend the "Prefectural Residents' Discount (Block Discount)" until August 31 (with check-out on September 1). However, the decision on whether to extend the period will be made on a prefecture-by-prefecture basis and officially announced. Prefectures that do not extend the program will suspend it at the current deadline of July 14 (for check-out on July 15).

The Prefectural Residents' Discount in step one of the step-by-step plan will be put into effect until the resumption of the Go To Travel campaign. It includes travel discounts within the user's prefecture of residence and neighboring prefectures. Prefectural Residents' Discount Summary: ・Discounts of up to 5,000 yen per person per night, up to 50% of the original price. The same applies to day trips. ・Discounts up to 2,000 yen per person/night provided for souvenir shops , restaurants, and public transportation. The same applies to day trips. ・To be eligible for prefectural discounts, a user must have had both vaccines or a negative PCR test (test not required for children under 12 accompanied by a guardian). ・Prefectural discounts for accommodations until May 31, 2022. Not applicable during Golden Week (April 29-May 8, 2022). As an example, if you stay at an inn for 10,000 yen per person per night, you'll receive a discount of 5,000 yen. If you apply additional discounts at a value of up to 2,000 yen, you can save as much as 7,000 yen. The above are the basic conditions set by the Japan Tourism Agency. However, specific details on the system and content, including discount rates and vaccination requirements, may vary by municipality. Please be sure to check your local government's official website for accurate information.

This program divides Japan into six regions. Discounts that were previously only available for travel within the same prefecture or neighboring prefectures will now apply to prefectures within the same regional block, which means a broader range of travel. The addition of applicable regions will be dependent on consent from each prefecture. For example, if Kanagawa Prefecture wants to attract Chiba residents, but does not obtain the consent of Chiba Prefecture , it will not be eligible for the Regional Block Discount. Application of Regional Block Discounts will be announced and commence according to each prefecture's ability to make adjustments. Regional Block Discount Summary: ・Regions are divided into the following six blocks. Please note that Yamanashi Prefecture is included in the Kanto Region, and Mie Prefecture is included in the Hokuriku Shinetsu/Chubu Region.

・Visitors residing outside the prefecture must meet vaccination requirements, such as having received up to three vaccinations, or receiving a negative PCR test. (Test not required for children under 12 if accompanied by a guardian). As with the Prefectural Residents' Discount, requirements such as vaccination status and other applicable conditions are determined by individual prefectures. Please visit the campaign homepage for each prefecture for more details. Note that for travel outside of the block, each municipality may have its own discount system, as well. Be sure to check the official website of each municipality for more information. For example, the city of Hakodate , Hokkaido, has its own ' Hakodate Wari,' a special discount that only applies to that city. Non-residents of Hakodate or other prefectures within that region may receive a 50% discount when spending a minimum of 3,000 yen per person per night at specified Hakodate accommodations (see terms and conditions for details).

Finally, although the exact renewal date is still to be determined, let's take a look at what we currently know about the New Go To Travel Campaign, as announced on November 19, 2021. Discount Rates: 30% discount on accommodation and day trips for domestic travel (including group travel) Max Discount: (per night) Accommodation plus transportation: up to 10,000 yen / Accommodation only: up to 7,000 yen Max Discount: (day trip) Up to 3,000 yen Regional Common Coupon: (per night) Weekdays: 3,000 yen / Holidays: 1,000 yen Health & Safety Measures: Implementation of Vaccine-Test Package (*) / Report when testing positive within 2 weeks after travel / Record of travel history behavior The Vaccine-Test Package

(*) The Vaccine-Test Package allows relaxed restrictions for travelers upon confirmation of either vaccination status or test results. ・Vaccination Status: Proof of receiving both vaccinations, with at least 14 days since the second vaccination. ・Test Results: Confirmation of negative test results of PCR test or rapid antigen test. Results are valid within 3 days from the sample collection date for PCR tests (or from the test date if the sample collection date is unknown), and within one day for rapid antigen tests.

Content including discount rates and regional coupons revised from previous Go To Travel Campaign.

According to government data , as of July 14, 2022, 82.0% (103,796,378 people) of the population have received their first dose of the new Covid-19 vaccination, 80.9% (102,432,324 people) have received their second, and 62.3% (78,845,744 people) have received their third. However, although the Ministry of Health , Labor and Welfare has encouraged vaccination throughout the municipalities, they have not declared vaccinations mandatory for children in Japan due to evidence regarding preventive effects in children remaining uncertain. This is reflected in the numbers, showing 18.9% (1,402,011 children) have received their first vaccination, and 17.5% (1,299,419 children) have received their second.

After going through the preliminary steps of the Prefectural Residents' Discount and Regional Block Discounts, Japan may finally be able to proceed with the Go To Travel Campaign throughout the country. As of July 2022, the number of Covid cases in Japan has been increasing nationwide and is said to be in the seventh wave, and increased contact is expected to continue due to the summer vacation. There has been no official announcement from the government as to when the "Go To Travel" campaign will resume. Prime Minister Kishida announced at a press conference that the scope of coverage for the fourth vaccination will be expanded from the current 60 years and older to include healthcare workers and staff of elderly care facilities, and that vaccination will begin from the week of July 18 onward. He also stated that he is not considering any new restrictions on activities at this time, and that he intends to maintain a balance between socio-economic activities and mitigating the spread of infection. We can only hope that as people take advantage of these decentralized travel campaigns, each and every one will also continue to take thorough measurements to prevent the spread of the virus. *Article based on information available as of July 15, 2022. *Conditions and methods of use vary by prefecture. The information in this article may differ from actual information. Please check the Japan Tourism Agency and prefectural government websites for the latest information. *All photos for illustrative purposes only. Translated by: Krys Suzuki

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2022 Domestic Travel Subsidy Program: Discounts for Residents in Japan!

Japan's Domestic Travel Subsidy Program, offering discounts of up to 11,000 yen per person, launched on October 11, 2022. This article gives an overview of the travel discount program, details on participating travel agencies and reservation sites, and prefectural websites! 　

Mitoyo, Kagawa, Japan

What Is Japan's Domestic Travel Subsidy Program?

Himeji Castle. Photo by Pixta The Domestic Travel Subsidy Program , aiming to stimulate Japan's tourism industry, launched in October 2022. Eligible travelers will be entitled to discounts up to a maximum of 11,000 yen each.

Due to the sudden flood of reservations, there is concern among those unable to make their bookings. However, a national budget of 560 billion yen has been allocated for this campaign. So, travelers can expect to benefit from the generous subsidies offered by this program.

This article will introduce Japan's Domestic Travel Subsidy Program with an outline and important things to keep in mind. MATCHA readers will learn details about participating travel agencies and reservation sites. There's also a list featuring each prefecture and its respective website!

Outline of the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program

What are the dates of this program.

The discount campaign runs from October 11 until December 20, 2022. Starting dates can differ slightly depending on the prefecture.

How Much Are the Travel Discounts?

Travelers will receive a 40% discount. The discount is capped at 8,000 yen per person per night for tours that include transportation and accommodation. The discount is capped at 5,000 yen per person per night for accommodations only.

Discount coupons can also be used in certain regions for restaurants and souvenirs. Additionally, there are 3,000 yen discounts for weekday accommodations and 1,000 yen discounts for accommodations on national holidays. These are available directly at the accommodation facility.

Important Points of the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program

The Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Pixta

Here are some key things to keep in mind with this subsidy program.

Limited to Japanese Citizens and International Residents

The program's main criteria for eligibility is that applicants live in Japan. This applies to Japanese citizens and international residents. A driver's license, My Number card, or another form of identification is required to show proof of Japanese residency.

Unfortunately, the discount campaign is not available to international visitors but only to international residents of Japan.

Vaccine Passport (3 Shots) or a Negative PCR Test Required

Travelers who want to receive discounts on this campaign will need to present a vaccination certificate showing they've had three shots. Those who haven't received three vaccinations must provide a negative PCR test.

To receive an accommodation discount, please remember that all group members must present their vaccine passport (3 shots), not just the group representative.

How the Word "Holiday" Is Defined

The monetary amount of discount coupons differs depending on whether it's a weekday or a national holiday. Fundamentally, a "holiday" refers to a one-night, two-day stay on Saturdays and Sundays. In other words, a one-night, two-day stay on Friday-Saturday or Sunday-Monday will be considered a weekday accommodation.

Program Details Differ Depending on the Prefecture

Each prefecture in Japan is included in the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program, making it different from the Go To Travel Campaign launched in 2020.

This is why the details of the subsidy program differ in each prefecture. Some prefectures even offer original travel discounts―in addition to the 11,000 yen maximum subsidy offered by the national campaign.

Which Accommodation Facilities Offer Discounts?

Keep in mind that not all accommodation facilities and tours are part of the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program.

Please note that at the end of this article, there's a list of websites for each prefecture's subsidy campaign. This article also features information on tours.

We Recommend Making Reservations ASAP!

Presently, accommodation facilities have received a flood of reservations, prompting travel agencies and tour companies to shut down their website reservation sites temporarily.

However, the subsidy program is backed by a 560 billion yen budget. Although many places have stopped taking reservations, there's a good possibility that they will resume bookings in the near future. So, please keep checking back with them.

Discounts in Addition to the Travel Subsidy Program

Tokushima Prefecture's Iya Valley Gorge. Photo by Pixta

As previously mentioned, each prefecture's details concerning the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program will differ. Next, we'll introduce some of the prefectures offering original discounts in addition to the national subsidy program.

Tadaima Tokyo Plus (Japanese) is the website for accessing the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program in Tokyo. This can be used in conjunction with Motto TOKYO (Japanese), a discount service for travels in the greater Tokyo area for locals.

Motto TOKYO offers a 5,000 yen discount on one night's accommodation. With the national program, travelers can enjoy a maximum discount of up to 16,000 yen!

The start date for Motto TOKYO was October 20, 2022.

Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture's Shinshu Wari SPECIAL (Japanese) offers a 1,000 yen discount (500 yen coupon x 2) on transportation for a one-night stay per person. This will help keep transportation costs down when visiting spots within the prefecture.

Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture's Ima Nara Campaign 2022 (Japanese) offers discount coupons for souvenir shopping and other items at participating shops in the prefecture. 1,000 yen coupons are issued for national holidays, while 2,000 yen coupons are available for prefectural citizens.

Kochi Prefecture

In Kochi Prefecture, the Kochi Kanko Recovery Campaign (Japanese)―Kochi's original discount campaign―can be used with the Kochi Kanko Tokuwari Campaign (Japanese), the national program.

The Kochi Kanko Recovery Campaign offers travelers a 5,000 yen cashback on money spent on highway fees and public transportation.

Tokushima Prefecture

Tokushima Prefecture's Minnade! Tokushima Travel Wari (Japanese) is aimed at travel packages within the prefecture that include accommodation and travel fees. It plans on giving each person a maximum of 5,000 yen cashback in addition to the national campaign's benefits.

Which Travel Sites Deal With the Travel Subsidy Program?

With the Travel Subsidy Program, discounts can be received when making a reservation directly with the accommodation facility. Travelers can also make a booking via a hotel reservation site.

Below, we've listed the reservation sites that handle the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program.

Currently, some sites are temporarily not accepting bookings due to the flood of reservations. There might be additional important points to consider, so please consult the official websites for more details.

Rakuten Travel

Join a Tour for a Worry-Free Experience

Some people might feel that it's troublesome to check the terms and conditions of the subsidy program in different prefectures.

We recommend booking a tour through a travel agency at times like this! Below, we've listed tour companies that handle the subsidy program, so by all means, please take a look.

Yahoo! Travel

Kinki Nippon Tourist

Nippon Travel Agency

Official Websites for Participating Prefectures and Cities

The prefectures and their official websites for accessing the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program are listed below. Please use this as a reference when departing on your next trip.

Note: All of the websites are in Japanese. Some websites have links to English travel content but not to the subsidy program itself.

Use These Discounts to Enjoy Travels in Japan!

Rurikoin Temple in Kyoto. Photo by Pixta With the domestic COVID-19 situation gradually improving, many people in Japan are getting the travel bug.

In addition to the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program, several prefectures are offering their own unique travel discount services.

Please use these campaigns to save on expenses and fully enjoy your travels in Japan!

Main image: Tokushima Prefecture's Iya Valley Gorge. Photo by Pixta

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News & Opinion

[UPDATE] Japan’s “Go To Travel” Campaign: What You Need to Know

The rumors, the facts and how to get discounted domestic holidays

July 13, 2020 Updated On December 15, 2020

[UPDATE] On December 14, the Japanese government announced that the “Go To Travel” campaign will be halted nationwide from December 28 to January 11 amid a surge in coronavirus cases across the country. Further decisions will be based on how the situation develops, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said. 

Furthermore, Tokyo and Nagoya, two cities where infections have been rapidly spreading in the past couple of weeks, will be removed from the travel campaign, e ffective December 18. Inbound travel to Tokyo through the campaign will be halted and outbound travel discouraged until December 27.

Prior to this announcement, the only two cities that had been temporarily removed from the campaign were Osaka and Sapporo. 

For those who have already booked a stay, cancelation fee will not be charged if canceled between December 14 and December 24. 

Amid surging new coronavirus infections reported in Tokyo, torrential rain and floods that have claimed the lives of dozens of people in Kyushu (with many remaining missing) and massive event cancellations throughout the country due to the coronavirus, Japan’s government just announced its latest campaign that does the opposite of what you’d expect given the circumstances: it encourages people to travel, interact with locals in other prefectures and pretend that life is back to normal.

You read this correctly. The brand new “Go To Travel Campaign,” Japan’s latest initiative to save its economy from the grips of the pandemic — has been pushed (despite all odds) to start on July 22, approximately half a month earlier than planned. The reason? It needed to begin before the four-day weekend starting on July 23.

What is the “Go To Travel” campaign?

In April 2020, Japan suffered its most significant drop in foreign tourism. In that particular month, Japan welcomed only 2,900 international travelers, down 99.9% from the same time in 2019. It’s the first time since 1964 the monthly number of guests had dipped below 10,000. Domestic travel — while the nation was under the government-declared state of emergency — was practically nonexistent either. So, as you can imagine, Japan is itching to get people back on the road, in shops, restaurants and spending up big.

The problem is that, as of present, given its still shut borders, it can’t count on inbound tourism — which is why the government is pushing domestically.

After a month of waiting for clarification, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport Kazuyoshi Akaba announced in a meeting on July 10 that Japan would launch the initiative, their ¥1.7 billion “Go To Travel” campaign, at the end of this month.  

Kicking off on July 22 and running until mid-March 2021 (or until all the money runs out), the campaign is a government initiative to help stimulate Japan’s post-Covid-19 economy, with a focus on the travel, hospitality and entertainment sectors. As a way to boost local businesses and industries significantly impacted by the pandemic, the government offers substantial discounts and subsidies for those looking to travel domestically. 

The campaign will cover half of the applicants’ travel spending, with the subsidy capping at ¥20,000 per person per night, or ¥10,000 per person for single-day trips. To make the most of the campaign, travelers will have to spend ¥40,000 per night, with 50% paid by the traveler and 50% paid by the government. 

Who is the campaign for?

The Go To Travel campaign is for those planning to travel domestically and is geared towards travel products that include accommodation and transportation, such as package tours (including day trips) booked through travel agencies and travel reservation sites or directly through a hotel’s website. Some travel agencies that are already selling packages include JTB, JTrip, Life Tour, IACE Travel and more. 

Foreign travelers are, in theory, eligible for this campaign, given that they book their trip through a travel agency participating in the campaign — and that they can travel all the way to Japan, which may not be possible anytime soon. To add to that, as of present, the news and information about the campaign are still all in Japanese, so it’s fair to say that the campaign is not really targeting overseas travelers. At least for now. 

The news confusion

In late May, while the early stages of the campaign idea were coming into formation, a rumor that the Japanese government would be paying for half or even more of the visitors’ expenses once borders opened again started to do the rounds both here in Japan and overseas.

The news was misreported but was published by a not insubstantial number of international news outlets, forcing The Japan Tourism Agency to release a statement and a series of tweets clarifying that the program would only cover “a portion of domestic travel expenses.” So, if you saw those reports and hadn’t seen any follow-ups, we’re sorry to inform you that the offer was indeed too good to be true. 

What can you do with it?

The maximum subsidy will cover half of a person’s travel costs up to ¥20,000 per person per night, meaning that if a trip including travel, accommodation and other outside expenses cost ¥40,000 per day, the government will cover ¥20,000 maximum. Say your trip costs an average of ¥20,000 per day (before the discount), then the government will cover half, so you’ll only spend ¥10,000.

The delegation of the subsidies is broken up into two elements: travel charges and retail. Travel charges include travel expenses like transport tickets and accommodation. These make up 70% of the subsidy, meaning 70% of the potential ¥20,000 per day (¥14,000) has to go towards these expenses. The remaining 30% (maximum ¥6,000) will be awarded in the form of local coupons to be spent on things like souvenirs from the area.

Initially, reports claimed those who booked a trip before the campaign announcement wouldn’t qualify for the subsidy. But, to keep it fair, the deal will now also apply to those travelers who can retroactively receive the discount. Given that this is a government initiative, of course, this means that travelers will have to go through the process of filling in an application form, providing proof of stay at a hotel during the campaign period, attach a receipt for their expenses and a consent on the use of personal information. Details of how to apply are still in the works, but there have been promises that the refund of the discount will be paid by credit card or bank transfer. Worth the ordeal? Probably not, but that’s another issue. 

How to get the discounts and what are the conditions

To take full advantage of the subsidy, travelers must make their bookings through a campaign registered travel agency or directly through an accommodation booking website. This rule has been somewhat controversial. Some argue that by booking through an agency, smaller, independent businesses and those that lack a booking site on their own — like family-run ryokans — may miss out on cashing in on the benefits, as major players in the industry like JTB sit at the forefront of the campaign and are set to profit big.  

Beyond the travel agency stipulation, surprisingly, the terms and conditions on the deal are few. There’s no limit to the number of times you can take advantage of the campaign, meaning you can take as many subsidized trips as you like, plus there’s no limit to the number of consecutive nights at the destination. However, some conditions do apply to personal travel arrangements: say, if you book your accommodation and transport separately, then the half-price subsidy will only apply to the accommodation arrangements. 

More information on the delegated agencies and the government’s other similar ‘Go To’ campaigns like Go To Eat and Go To Shop is set to be released in the coming weeks, though rumors are that the Go To Eat campaign will benefit users with up to 20 percent discounts and/or discounts of up to ¥1,000 for people booking restaurants via online restaurant booking sites. 

For more information on the Go To Travel Campaign, see  here . 

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Japan go-to travel campaign | Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy Program

by Venese | Jun 1, 2022 | Japan Travel | 0 comments

Have you heard of the Japan go-to travel campaign? Are you wondering how to use the latest Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy Program and want some inspiration for your next domestic travel?

Here is everything you need to know about Japan Domestic Subsidy Program and Japan Go-To Travel Campaign!

Table of Contents

Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy campaign overview

The Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy Program is a “nationwide tourism demand stimulation measure” that offers discounts on travel prices and grants regional vouchers.

Unlike GoTo Travel, which was a national collective initiative, the Japan Domestic Travel Subsity is organised on a prefecture-by-prefecture basis.

Therefore, the start date can also be after 11 October, starting with those prefectures that are ready.

The end date is also set for the end of December (most prefectures have set to end on 20 December), but it is up to each prefecture to decide whether or not to extend the date.

Please note that some of the contents may differ from prefecture to prefecture.

Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy campaign discounts

The discount is 40% off the price of a trip (maximum per person per night: 8,000 yen for overnight travel with transport, 5,000 yen for others).

Along with this, you will receive a regional voucher worth 3,000yen for weekday use and 1,000yen for holiday use. These regional vouchers can be used at restaurants and other local businesses in the travel destination.

For day trips, you can get 40% off with maximum 5,000 yen support per person, along with regional voucher for 3,000yen for weekdays and 1,000yen for weekends.

The discount is valid for up to seven consecutive nights per trip, with no limit on the number of times the campaign can be used.

Duration of Go-to Travel Campaign

The programme will be implemented from 11th October to 20th December 2022 (starting 20 October for Tokyo). After the new year, the decision on whether or not it will be continued will be based on the infection situation and demand trends.

Holiday vs Weekday

“Holiday” applies to overnight trips where both the day of the overnight stay and the following day are Saturday, Sunday or public holiday. Holidays for day trips are Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Other days are treated as ‘weekdays’.

What do I need to bring for Go-to Travel Campaign?

In order to qualify for the discount, make sure to bring your identification documents such as a driver’s licence. You also need to present proof of three previous vaccinations (an image or a photocopy is acceptable) or a negative result of a PCR test or similar test is required.

How do I make a reservation for Go-to Travel Campaign?

To use the campaign and make a reservation, apply for a trip at a discount price through one of the following travel booking websites participating in the campaign, such as Rakuten Travel, a travel agency, or an accommodation facility.

Upon presentation of identification documents and proof of vaccination at the time of accommodation, the customer will receive a regional voucher.

Here are the websites where you can make reservations. Please note that this is subject to change. Please refer to the following websites for the most up-to-date information.

• Jalan: https://www.jalan.net/ryoko-shien
• Rakuten Travel: https://travel.rakuten.co.jp/special/zenkokuryokoshien/
• Yahoo: https://travel.yahoo.co.jp/feature/zenkoku-ryoko-shien/
• Ikkyu: https://www.ikyu.com/special/01/zenkoku-ryokoshien/
• JTB: https://www.jtb.co.jp/kokunai/ryokoshien/webcoupon/
• Rurupu: https://www.rurubu.travel/theme/gototravel/ryokoshien/
• NTA: https://www.nta.co.jp/kokunai/special/ouen/ryokoshien/
• JAL PAK: https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/ja/domtour/areatourism-cp/
• HIS: https://www.his-j.com/kokunai/campaign/alljapan_plan/

Old vs New Go-to Travel Campaign 

In the past, for Go-To Travel, half of the trip price was subsidised up to JPY 20,000 per person per night (35% travel discount + 15% common regional voucher), and the high discount limit made it popular with expensive accommodation. 

It was also pointed out that tourist attractions were crowded on weekends and consecutive holidays. There were talks that the increased human traffic may have contributed to the spread of infection.

Because of these issues, even before taking office, Prime Minister Kishida had launched Go-To 2.0, an evolved approach to infectious disease control, and decided to utilise the vaccine and testing package. The new system was based on the premise of safety and security, with a difference in discount rates between holidays and weekdays to disperse travel demand.

The discount rate and maximum discount amount have also been reduced to avoid concentration on luxury accommodation, and discounts are more generous when using transport operators, to support the recovery of tourism demand from transport operators and rural areas.

5 Most popular holiday destinations in 2022

So now the question is, where should you go with the Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy? 

You might want to make use of this discount to visit places that you haven’t had a chance to check out yet or discover places that you have never heard of. Maybe some places might have been a little out of your budget and now with the discount, you want to make use of this opportunity. 

To help you figure out where to go, here are the 5 most popular holiday spots in 2021 to give you some inspiration for your domestic travel! The statics you can find here are taken from Rakuten Travel.

The first place was Nara prefecture travel became popular with + 235.6% compared to the previous year. In particular, the “Yoshino / Totsukawa / Tenkawa / Gojo area”, which is rich in nature and allows you to enjoy outdoor leisure activities that avoid dense mountains and rivers, increased by + 536.8% (about 6.4 times).

In addition, as a sacred place for the popular manga “Kimetsu no Yaiba”, “Katsuraki Nii Honoikazuchi Shrine <Fuefuki Shrine>” in Katsuragi City is a new tourist spot.

Nara Prefecture is the ancient centre of Japan and was the ancient capital of Heijokyo during the Nara period. Therefore, there are many buildings and Buddhist statues designated as national treasures and world cultural heritage, and there are various attractions.

The deer in Nara Park is also known nationwide. Some of the most spectacular spots are the Tanize Suspension Bridge and the Mitarai Valley, which are one of the longest in Japan.

Tokushima 

Tokushima Prefecture is in second place with a year-on-year increase of 151.3%. By age group, the number of people in their 20s to 30s has increased to + 194.7% (about 2.9 times), and the demand for travel within the prefecture among young people is increasing.

Tokushima Prefecture is full of individuality, with more than a quarter of the 88 sacred sites “Shikoku 88 places” scattered throughout Shikoku, such as “Naruto Whirlpools” and “Awaodori Kaikan”. The highlights are complete.

If you climb the mountaintop from the 5th floor of the Awaodori Kaikan on the “Mt. If you want to experience a mysterious sight, we also recommend the “Abashi / Unkai Observatory”, which is more likely to appear in the early morning of March-April and October-December.

From the observatory, you can overlook Oboke and the Yoshino River, which are known for their beauty in the valley, when there is no sea of ​​clouds.

Akita Prefecture is in third place with a year-on-year increase of 105.5%. By accommodation composition, “Children” travel increased the most at + 411.2% (about 5.1 times), and the number of nights for families increased.

Akita Prefecture has many important intangible folk cultural properties such as the Oga Peninsula’s quirky “Namahage” and the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku, the Kanto Festival.

Events that colour the four seasons are also famous, such as the “Kakukan Sakura Festival” in the spring, the “Omagari Fireworks (National Fireworks Festival)” in the summer, and the “Yokote Kamakura” in the winter.

At Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, the legend of Princess Tatsuko remains, and there is Gozanoishi Shrine, which is also known as a power spot, and is dotted with activities and sightseeing spots. In addition, Akita’s famous “Oyu Stone Circles” and “Isedōtai Site”, which are included in the “Hokkaido / Northeastern Jomon Archaeological Sites” are expected to be registered as World Cultural Heritage in July. Isedotai Seki) ”is also attracting attention.

Gunma Prefecture is in fourth place with a year-on-year increase of 98.2%. There are scenic spots such as “Oze”, “Fukiwari Waterfall” and “Tone River”, and it is an area where you can enjoy many high-quality hot springs such as “Kusatsu”, “Ikaho”, “Minakami” and “Shiman” as one of Japan’s leading hot spring kingdoms.

There are historical and railway fans’ must-see tourist spots such as the world heritage “Tomioka Thread Mill”, the “Megane Bridge” which is the site of the Abt system railway, and the “Watarase Valley Railway” where the trolley train runs, and it is one of the best power spots in the Kanto region.

There are many attractions such as the famous “Haruna Shrine”. In October 2020, leisure spots that make full use of the latest video technology, such as the experience-based edutainment facility “ENNICHI by 1 → 10 AQERU Maebashi,” were born.

Okinawa 

The fifth place is Okinawa Prefecture (+ 95.3% compared to the previous year) where you can enjoy a tropical vacation with many spectacular beaches. Many hotels have plenty of sea activities and a variety of pools. In recent years, large resort hotels, villas, and condominium inns have opened one after another. Some luxury inns have private beaches and private pools.

The “Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium” is famous nationwide, including the Ryukyu Kingdom-related ruins such as the world heritage sites “Shuri Castle” and “Nakagusuku Castle Ruins”. “Mihama Town Resort American Village” is dotted with wall art and fashionable cafes that you will want to upload to SNS, so you can enjoy it in a different way. In addition, remote islands such as Miyakojima and Ishigakijima are not to be missed and are tourist attractions.

Japan go-to travel campaign 2020

The Japanese government has proposed a number of steps under the name of a nationwide ‘Go To’ campaign aimed at increasing travel within Japan and supporting local businesses in reaction to COVID-19’s unprecedented impact on tourism. 

The Japan Go-To Travel Campaign began on July 22nd, 2020, and offers Japanese citizens and international residents discounts and subsidies of up to 50% on travel within Japan. Discounts are given in the form of subsidised lodging and ‘common coupons,’ which can be used at participating retailers, restaurants, and other locations.

Japan Go-To Travel Campaign is a travel campaign that aims to promote and encourage travel and tourism in Japan. Japan Go-To Travel is a government campaign that aims to increase the number of tourists visiting Japan by increasing awareness of the country through social media, such as Twitter and Instagram.

Japan’s Go-To Travel campaign was started in 2018 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Japan with the aim of increasing tourist visits to Japan. The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida announced in March 2022 that the government is planning to relaunch the “Go-To Travel” campaign “when the opportune moment comes.”

According to Kishida, the government is looking into the COVID-19 infection situation and meeting with specialists to determine when the campaign should resume. This page will be updated as soon as an announcement is made. Until then, we’ll go over the last COVID-19 campaign to see what’s in store for the months ahead.

From July 22nd, 2020, the government will cover up to half of the cost of accommodation and transportation for 1-day trips up to JPY10,000 per person and 2. overnight trips up to JPY20,000 per person. Trips of up to seven days in length had been covered. The amount you are entitled to on an overnight trip is based on the cost of your lodging, with a maximum claim of JPY20,000 per person. This is what that support looks like:

70% will be provided through reduced accommodation; 30% will be made available through the usage of ‘common vouchers.’

News on Japan Go-To Travel Campaign 2020

As of this, the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign will not proceed until the level of Corona is safe enough to travel with minimal spread. The tourism minister Tetsuo Saito stated, “We’re not at a point where we can announce a specific date for resuming the campaign, we’re in a situation where we should assume that the spread of (the coronavirus) will proceed rapidly.”

However, some travel companies and booking sites are considering resuming the Japan Japan Go-To Travel Campaign, and are planning to offer discounts for currently booked and newly booked vacations after the decision are made.

When it is agreed to restart the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign, for example, JTB and HIS will contact the target passengers individually via email, and if they agree to the participation criteria, the discount will be applied as is. Similarly, Rakuten Travel, Ikyu.com, and others have stated that the discount will be applied later without the need to rebook the trip.

How does the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign work?

Travellers can apply through participating travel agents, online reservation sites, and lodging companies. Up to 30% of the travel fee will be decreased, and a “regional common coupon” (3,000 yen on weekdays and 1,000 yen on holidays) will be issued that may be used at registered member stores of travel destinations, as well as the entire tourist destination.

For Go To travel, the “Regional Common Coupon” will provide 15% off the ticket price. Paper coupons and electronic coupons are the two types of coupons available. Each voucher is issued in 1,000 yen increments and cannot be changed. The method of distribution is determined by the operator who booked the trip.

What kinds of trips are eligible for the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign?

All sorts of trips from long weekends to day trips.

What does the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign cover?

The Go-To-Travel Campaign covers all forms of trips including accommodation, transportation, food and goods and services which include excursions.

How to use Japan Go-To Travel Campaign

The official Japan Go-To Travel information states that the campaign is available for all residents of Japan, both Japanese citizens and foreign residents with valid visas.

Overnight stays at registered lodgings, trip arrangements made through registered travel agencies are all eligible for discounts, and the vast majority of hotels and travel agents across the country are registered.

The official website of the Japan Go-To Travel campaign has a list of associated businesses. The campaign is active in all of Japan’s regions. Depending on the development of the virus, some places may be temporarily excluded from participating in the campaign. Only if they are part of a trip package are they eligible for the discount.

The discount, for example, cannot be used on standard purchases of flights or rental cars; however, it can be used on flights or rental cars that are part of a vacation package booked through an authorised travel agent.

How to apply for the Go-To Travel Campaign

In order to apply for the campaign, you have to reserve your desired trip through a campaign-registered hotel using the hotel, a travel agent, or a reservation website. On the other hand, you can purchase a vacation package from a registered travel agent.

You pay 65 percent of the total cost of the lodging or package at the time of booking, with the remaining 15 percent in coupons supplied by the travel agent or hotel. 

On the campaign’s official website, a list of registered hotels and travel brokers may be seen in Japanese. Many hotel reservation companies, such as Booking.com and Agoda, are also participating in the Japan Go-To Travel campaign.

The discount is not only good for lodging, but also for overnight transportation such as a cruise ship, an overnight ferry, or a sleeper train, for which you might receive a discount. The campaign will pay for your transportation, meals, and activities if you choose to go on a day trip.

How to use Go To Travel Coupons

During the day(s) of your journey, coupons can be used to pay for goods and services at registered stores and restaurants, as well as transportation and other travel services in the prefecture visited and nearby prefectures. Please note that they are non-refundable. The campaign’s official website includes a list of registered businesses.

Coupons are issued in either paper or electronic form, depending on the issuing agent (to be used with a mobile device). Coupons are provided in 1000 yen increments, with the amount adjusted up or down to the closest 1000 yen (500 and more is rounded up; less than 500 is rounded down).

What do you think about the Japan go-to travel campaign? Hope you find this guide helpful to help you figure out exactly what is Japan go-to travel campaign, how to use it and some inspiration on where to go!

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Japan to launch domestic travel subsidy program on Oct. 11

Japan will launch a new subsidy program to boost domestic tourism on Oct. 11, the same day it plans to remove its daily cap for overseas arrivals as part of easing COVID-19 border control measures.

The "National Travel Discount," which Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Thursday in New York, will replace the "Go To Travel" subsidy program and expand similar existing programs operating at the prefectural level.

The scheme is expected to provide the equivalent of up to 11,000 yen ($77) in discounts and coupons per traveler per day which can be used for meals, shopping and accommodation fees.

The government plans to announce details of the program as early as Monday, but it has raised doubts about whether it will boost regional economies.

With the start of the program less than three weeks away, the announcement has also left tourism businesses and facilities with little time to prepare, as well as caused confusion about whether the program can be applied to new accommodation reservations.

Under a system where the national government subsidizes the costs borne by prefectural authorities to implement such programs, the 47 prefectures will be allowed to suspend the scheme depending on the infection situation within their jurisdiction.

Prefectural governments will also have the authority to determine the scheme's running period or whether to even implement it at all, leading to the possibility that it may not be launched simultaneously across the country.

The program was to have been introduced in July but was postponed amid the nation's seventh wave of coronavirus infections.

The new date has been set now that cases are declining, in hopes for increased demand in domestic travel in the fall and winter.

While the travel industry has welcomed the move, one operator said implementing the scheme is "complicated and time-consuming."

Small businesses will find it difficult to follow through with the procedure, the tourism operator said.

The move came as Kishida also said the government plans to abolish its cap on daily arrivals on Oct. 11, currently set at 50,000, as well as resume individual visa-free arrivals to the country.

"Japan has prospered through the free flow of people, goods, and money going to and from the rest of the world," Kishida told a press conference in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

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Japan aims to resume Go To Travel campaign in mid-January

Tourism promotion scheme to last into April if COVID cases remain at low level

TOKYO -- The government plans to resume the Go To Travel subsidy program to stimulate demand for domestic travel as early as mid-January 2022, Nikkei has learned.

The program is aimed at promoting tourism during the off-season months of February and March, avoiding the year-end and New Year holidays. The subsidies' limit will be lowered to 13,000 yen ($114), down from 20,000 yen before it was suspended last December due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. It was initially launched in July 2020.

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Japan's 'Go To Travel' campaign to restart Jan. 2022 or later if virus meds progress

November 11, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)

Japanese version

TOKYO -- The Japanese government has decided it will restart "Go To Travel" domestic tourism subsidy program as early as January 2022, depending on the progress of certain COVID-19 medications.

Figures in the tourism industry and others who have been hit by the coronavirus crisis had sought an earlier campaign restart, but the government has decided it needs first to see if oral medications to prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms can be approved for use by the end of 2021. Proof of vaccination, negative tests and other documentation are also expected to be a part of the restarted campaign.

In the Go To Travel campaign, the government subsidizes a part of individual vacationers' travel costs. It began in July 2020, but was suspended in December of the same year when coronavirus infections surged.

At a nighttime press conference on Nov. 10, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said regarding the restart, "We will use vaccines and tests to create a safer and more secure system. I want to comprehensively review it, and decide on a time for it based on a thorough examination of the state of infections."

The government hopes to have the oral medication in use by the end of the year. Furthermore, booster vaccinations for older people will begin in earnest in January 2022. A government source said, "The important components for coronavirus infections countermeasures will come together (by the end of January)."

Some have pointed out that travelers tended to concentrate at major hotels and on weekends during last year's Go To Travel. In response, the government has decided the next round will include increased perks for weekday trips and stays at medium to small businesses' hotels and inns.

(Japanese original by Shiho Fujibuchi, Shun Kawaguchi and Soon Lee, Political News Department)

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Japan could resume Go to Travel subsidy campaign in February 2022

The domestic tourism programme, which provides travel and dining discounts, will include compulsory Covid-19 countermeasures

Restrictions have now been lifted and Japan is slowly reducing quarantine time for travellers, so we’re all keeping our fingers crossed for a return to something like normality.  Last December, Japan’s Go to Travel domestic tourism subsidy campaign was suspended nationwide due to a resurgence of Covid-19 cases and the programme hasn’t resumed since. 

Now that case numbers have dropped significantly and over 70 percent of Japan’s population has been fully vaccinated, The Japan Times reports that the travel campaign is looking to resume in February 2022. Although the return of the programme is not officially confirmed yet, the rebooted version of Go to Travel will apparently include compulsory Covid-19 countermeasures such as requiring travellers to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result when checking in. The Japan Tourism Agency will draft the operational guidelines for travel by the end of November.

Previously, the campaign covered 50 percent of domestic travel costs of up to a maximum of ¥20,000 per person per night, but that cap may be lowered to ¥13,000 once the programme resumes. There are also plans to reduce discounts for accommodation from 35 percent to 30 percent to encourage people to stay at local, more affordable hotels and inns rather than luxury spots. 

The revised campaign will also aim to encourage more weekday travelling by offering coupons worth ¥3,000 to use for dining and shopping on weekdays, while weekend and holiday coupons will only be worth ¥1,000.

The government is also discussing a plan to run the campaign until the end of Golden Week in May and then switch to subsidising local prefectural government tourism campaigns to promote travel for residents within their own prefectures.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are announced.

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Japan’s New Go toTravel: National Travel Support（ZenkokuRyokoShien）Begins October 11, 2022

Japan was open to foreign visitors on October 11, 2022, and the negative certificate before departure will be waived if you have proof of three vaccinations. From now on, free travel to Japan will be possible again.

At the same time, the “National Travel Support” campaign has been launched for domestic visitors. The campaign started in Tokyo on October 20, while the other 46 prefectures started from Oct. 11th.

Table of Contents

“National Travel Support”

Picture from： 全国旅行支援とは？│割引の仕組みをチェック！【楽天トラベル】

The “National Travel Support” offers discounts on travel expenses and, like the 2020 go to travel, offers discount coupons by region.

Discount of the “National Travel Support”

The “National Travel Support” offers discounts of up to 40% on travel.

The maximum amount per person per day is 8,000 yen for accommodation including transportation and 5,000 yen for other expenses.

Regional coupons (地域クーポン) can be used at some stores in your travel destination for 3,000 yen on weekdays and 1,000 yen on DAY-OFFs.

There are different criteria for determining DAY-OFF.

In the case of the day of stay, if both the day of stay and the following day are a day of rest (Saturday, Sunday and Japan Day), then the day of stay is a DAY-OFF day. For example, if the day of stay is Saturday and the following day is a Sunday, then the day of stay(Saturday) is a “DAY-OFF”; if the day of stay is a Sunday and the following day is a Japanese holiday, then the day of stay(Sunday) is also a “DAY-OFF”.

In the case of a round-trip trip on the same day, Saturday, Sunday, and Japan’s holiday will be considered as a DAY-OFF

For trips of 8 days and 7 nights or less, you are eligible for the “National Travel Support” discount, and each person can receive the discount an unlimited number of times.

However, the maximum amount of subsidy per person per trip is 11,000 yen.

Requirements for the “National Travel Support” discount

Only Japanese nationals or foreign nationals with resident status in Japan are eligible for the discount. When applying for the discount, you will need to confirm your identity and residence.

My Number Card, Driver’s License, Passport, Resident Card, Special Permanent Resident Certificate, etc.

In addition, you must have proof of three vaccinations or a negative PCR certificate.

Implementation date of “National Travel Support”

October 11, 2022 – December 20, 2022

Only in Tokyo, the program will start on October 20.

The implementation of the program in 2023 will be determined based on the infection situation and demand at that time.

Minimum amount of “National Travel Support”

The minimum amount of “National Travel Support” per person per day/per person per trip is 5,000 yen on weekdays, and 2,000 yen on DAY-OFFs.

If the purchase of goods/accommodation is less than the minimum amount, the discount will not be applied.

Areas where “National Travel Support” is available

This program is available throughout Japan.

However, if there is an area in one of the 47 prefectures that does not wish to participate, that area will not be included in the program.

How to make a reservation for “National Travel Support”

There are several ways to receive discounts for “National Travel Support”.

• Reservation through the travel reservation website
• Reservation through a travel agency
• Reservation by phone or online through an accommodation facility

When making a reservation, you must select or indicate to the staff that you need to make a reservation for discounted travel under the National Travel Support.

After confirming your identity and proof of vaccination, the staff will issue a discount coupon for that area at the time of your stay.

GetAround Japan is your number one travel guide, providing the latest information on visiting and living in Japan, with tips on what to eat, things to do, and places to stay. Whether you’re planning for a trip far in the future, or already in Japan in need of some fresh ideas, our archive of posts will help you find the best way to fill your time and get the most out of your travel experience. We provide you updates on serious policies that affect visitors and foreign residents while also keeping things light and fun with articles on quirky trends and pop culture. How do we know how to provide visitors the information they need? Our affiliate company CDJapan Rental provides WIFI and Sim Card rentals to thousands of visitors to Japan every year. In other words, we are constantly in touch with and listening to the voices of our customers, and infuse our blog with the information they ask us for. For inquiries, contact us here =Company Information= CDJapan Rental (Neowing Corporation) 1-10-15-3F Nihonbashi Horidome Chuo, Tokyo 103-0012, Japan

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How To: Go to Travel Campaign 2022

Are you familiar with the “Go to Travel” campaign launched in 2020 by the Japanese government to promote tourism?

You will be happy to know that a new campaign – a better, improved version of the original one – has been started again this fall, thanks to the start of the administration of the fourth dose of the vaccine and COVID cases finally starting to curb down.

There are many news reports and articles about the Go To Travel Campaign available in Japanese, but on the other hand, navigating information in a different language and with many different points to take note of, it can be intimidating. 

So today, we have compiled this information on how to use the new Go To Travel Campaign, as well as explaining what you need to be careful about to make it as clear and straightforward as possible.

What you Need to Know about the Go To Travel Campaign in 2022

Image credits: Canva.com

The original “Go To Travel” is a campaign that was started in 2020 to boost internal tourism demand inside the country and to help the tourism and hotel industry recover after the severe setback caused by the spread of COVID 19.

It was then put on halt in 2021 when the number of COVID cases started rapidly rising in Japan as well. 

In substitution of the Go To Travel, a new and basically identical campaign restarted back in October this year: “Zenkoku Ryoko Shien” (全国旅行支援), The “National Travel Aid”.

The discount provided is equivalent to 40% of the travel price (per person, per night). The maximum discount applicable per person per night is 8,000 yen for travel packages that include transportation and 5,000 yen if transportation is not included upon reserving.

In addition, coupons that can be used locally will be issued upon check-in at the facility booked in advance for up to 10,000 yen of daily savings.

How To Use the New Go To Travel Campaign

There are two main ways to use Go To 2.0:

(1) Make a reservation at an accommodation reservation site (OTA) and apply the coupon

(2) Make a reservation at a travel agency and have the discount applied at the store.

The easiest and most convenient option of the two mentioned above, which we will explain in detail, is to book your stay through an online travel agency. 

Visit one of the main Japanese booking platforms like Rakuten , Jalan , Ikkyu and follow these simple steps to secure your discounted stay.

First, get a discount coupon for the prefecture you want to visit.

Get a discount coupon for the prefecture you want to visit first on this page (for Rakuten Travel).

Image credits: Rakuten Travel Website

Go to the desired prefecture page and find facilities eligible for coupons.

Proceed to the reservation page, and select and apply the coupon directly on the reservation page.

Your reservation is complete.

The discount coupons that you are eligible to receive (for a maximum of 3,000 yen or 1,000 per person per night, respectively on weekdays and weekends) can be collected directly at the facility you have booked upon check-in. They can be spent in local shops and restaurants that participate in the campaign. They are not refundable and any remaining balance cannot be inverted into cash.

Important Points to Consider before Travelling with Go to Travel in 2022

To be able to participate and enjoy the discount, upon check-in you will have to show proof of vaccination (three times) or of a negative PCR test. Failing to provide one of the two documents will result in losing the right to enjoy the discount of the campaign.

To Summarize: Go To Travel 2022

The Go To Travel 2.0 offers a great chance to travel around Japan and discover many new and unique places for a convenient price. 

Book your hotel in advance through an online travel agency such as Rakuten, Jalan, Ikkyu, prepare a copy of your vaccine passport or a negative PCR test result and you are ready to go. 

We hope that this guide will help you navigate the information a little easier to enjoy your next trip around the country.

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Guidable Japan is a platform that offers guidance to Non-Japanese people who want to visit or are living in the Land of the Rising Sun. Whether you are just a tourist or an actual resident, living in Japan can be challenging if you are not familiar with it and don’t speak the language. Our Guidable Japan website provides you with guidance and answers so that you can make the most of the resources that Japan’s society has to offer.

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Kanagawa Prefecture Travel Campaign 2022 Day Two

Using the Hakone Free Pass forms of transportation

For our second day we traveled back to Hakone using all the Free Pass types of transportation.

We started with breakfast at Hotel Tensei-en Odawara with lots of Western and Japanese style food. It was excellent and the chef spoke to me in English. We had a fantastic view of Odawara Castle from our table on the 14th floor of the hotel. It was a great start to our second day.

We used all the forms of the free pass transportation, taking the Odakyu line the to Hakone-Yumoto station, then Hakone Tozan Train, and the Hakone Tozan Cable car stopping at the Hakone Open-Air Museum.

I have probably made 30 plus trips to Hakone over the past nine years and never visited the Open-Air Museum. It was the highlight of this trip. Started in 1969 as Japan`s first open-air museum, it covers over 17 acres with over 120 sculptures and four indoor exhibition halls. The most popular being the Picasso exhibit and the Symphonic Sculpture, an enclosed tower of beautiful stained glass. This museum is well worth the 1600 yen entrance fee, and with the free pass you get a 100 yen discount. You can easily spend a half day exploring the vast exhibits.

After a nice cup of coffee at the museum café we moved on to the ropeway with a stop at Owakudani. At first it was very foggy then coming over the sulfur pits it became clear enough to see the steaming sulfur rising up into the air. The black egg stores were reopened and selling out very quickly. Hiro tried his first black egg and was very impressed. The pits are now open for tours with a guide and a hard hat.

We then transferred to the next cable car and headed to Togendai for a cruise on one of the pirate ships. After arriving at Hakonemachi-Ko port we headed out in search of some good food for a late lunch. Just across the street is Daimasa restaurant. The staff were super nice and the food outstanding. I had the seafood salad with avocado and it was so good. I will be visiting this place again on my next trip to Hakone.

We rode the Tozan bus all the way back to Odawara. Since we had not used our 2000 yen coupons we visited the information center to find some local shops. We ended up back at Minaka shopping center where we used the coupons for several Odawara souvenir items.

All in all, a great two-day trip close to Tokyo.

See link for Day One .

Getting there

From Odawara Station take either the Hakone Tozan Bus or Odakyu Line to Hakone Yumoto and then continue on via cable car or bus

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1 Chome-1-1-9 Sakaecho, Odawara, Kanagawa 〒250-0011 ( Directions )

0465-22-2339

odawara-kankou.com

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Nishimuraya – celebrating 160 years in Kinosaki Onsen, a classic Japanese hot spring town

Domestic Travel Campaign

For residents of Japan ONLY.

last updated: April 8th, 2022

IMPORTANT : As of April 8, 2023 the All Japan Wide Discount campaign has suspended new registrations and is not available for guests who have not yet registered.

Hyogo Prefecture Travel Discount

Residents of Hyogo and other applicable prefectures who met certain requirements may qualify for the Hyogo Prefecture travel campaign discount: ひょうごを旅しようキャンペーン＋(プラス)

IMPORTANT : If non-qualified guests are traveling with un-qualified guests then qualified guests may still apply for discount, but ALL guests must meet the vaccination/COVID test requirements.

The following conditions apply for guests staying until October 10th, 2022 :

• Guests staying must be residents of Hyogo, Osaka, Kyoto, Shiga, Wakayama, Nara, Tottori, Okayama, Tokushima or Kagawa prefectures.
• Unvaccinated guests will still qualify if presenting a negative COVID test (see FAQ for details).
• Guests who are family living with the accompanying travelers and are 11 or younger are excluded from COVID test requirement.
• Must pre-register at the STAYNAVI web site all guest names & addresses.
• Provide copies of the vaccine certificates for all applicable guests at check-in.
• Provide all guest ID at check-in which verifies the addresses registered with STAYNAVI.

All Japan Wide Discount

Until June 30th, 2023 , a discount for residents of Japan only is available. The campaign in Hyogo prefecture (where Nishimuraya Honkan & Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei are located) is called ひょうご旅しようキャンペーン「ワイド」 。Guests with residency in Japan will qualify for the discount if meeting the following conditions:

IMPORTANT : the discount is NOT available for the period of 29 April to 7 May , regardless of residency or other conditions.

• Guests have been at least triple vaccinated or provide a negative qualifying corona virus test and provide proof (copy of vaccine certificate or applicable negative test result form) at check-in.
• Guests have residency in Japan (Japanese address) and provide ID which shows address at check-in.
• Children 11 or younger when traveling with family they reside together with are exempt from test requirements as long as at least one guardian/parent is vaccinated.

The Alll Japan Wide Campaign can be applied on a per-guest basis. Meaning, if the guest is travelling with others who do not qualify for the discount, then the qualifying guest may still receive the discount provided all above requirements are met. Please note that address and ID of all accompanying guests must be checked regardless of whether they qualify or not.

How to Book?

If you qualify for the discount, book any stay plan from our official web site on a qualifying date and provide us (through booking message or by emailing to [email protected]) with representative traveller name, address (including postal code) and contact telephone number. If any guests do not qualify please also provide the number of non-qualifying guests. We will perform the registration for discount on your behalf. Please bring all guest IDs (and if necessary vaccination certificates / negative test result) on check-in day.

Q: What is the Hyogo travel discount campaign? Officially called ひょうごを旅しよう (Hyogo wo tabi shiyou), it is a campaign to incentivize residents of Hyogo and other applicable prefectures to travel inside of Hyogo prefecture. Foreign residents living in Hyogo or applicable prefectures are eligible to enjoy this campaign. Foreign tourists visiting Japan are NOT applicable. NOTE: presently this campaign is suspended in favor of the All Japan Wide campaign.

Q: What is the All Japan Wide discount campaign? Officially called ひょうごを旅しようワイド (Hyogo wo tabi shiyou waido), it is a campaign to incentivize residents of Japan to travel inside of Hyogo prefecture. Foreign residents living in Hyogo or applicable prefectures are eligible to enjoy this campaign. Foreign tourists visiting Japan are NOT applicable.

Q: How much is the discount? Discount is calculated based on the per night total of lodging fees per traveler. The maximum discount is 3,000 JPY per person, per night is provided.

Additionally, a special coupon is provided which can be used at participating shops, etc. for a limited time. This is to encourage additional purchases both inside and outside of the hotel during travel. The amount of the coupon varies by the date you are staying.

Q: How do I make a reservation at Nishimuraya Honkan or Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei with this campaign? Book directly with Nishimuraya on either our web site, by e-mail, phone (English speaking staff available), or chat. In the booking message or in a separate email ([email protected]) please provide us with all guest names and addresses and indicate you wish to apply for the discount. Please also indicate if guests have been vaccinated, will test, etc. If your stay date is applicable and you meet all the requirements, Nishimuraya can register for the discount at on your behalf.

When reserving, please select “onsite payment” which is payment at the hotel. At checkout you will pay your lodging fees with the discount taken out. Nishimuraya accepts major credit cards and JPY cash for payment onsite.

Q: What are the vaccine requirements? All guests must provide proof of 3rd vaccination shot. There is no particular requirement for a certain time period to have passed after the third shot. 4th shot is also applicable.

Q: Which vaccines are eligible, and what constitutes proof of vaccination? COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Japan are eligible. At present Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Novavax and Johnson & Johnson are approved. PLEASE NOTE the list of vaccines that eligibile for entry into Japan is differrent and not related to this campaign.

Paper originals or legible copies, legible photographs or electronic verification of vaccination status are acceptable and must be shown for all applicable guests at check-in time.

Q: There are unvaccinated travelers in my group, am I still eligible? All guests who are unvaccinated must show a negative PCR or quantitative antigen (こうげんていりょうけんさ/抗原定量検査) test result taken within 3 days of the check-in day to qualify for the campaign. Alterantively, a negative qualitative antigen test (こうげんていせいけんさ/抗原定性検査) taken the day of or one day before check-in is also acceptable.

NOTE: guests living in the same residence as the other guests who are 11 or younger are excempt from needing to provide a negative test result.

Q: Instead of vaccine proof some or all guests will provide a negative COVID test. What are the rest requirements? Three types of negative tests are valid… (1) PCR (2) Quantitative antigen test 抗原定量検査 (3) Qualitative antigen test 抗原定性検査

Tests (1) & (2) must be taken at latest 3 days before arrival. Test (3) must be taken at latest the day of or day before arrival.

The negative test result must be in paper and have this information included (written at least in Japanese): (1) Name of the guest reiving test 受験者氏名 (2) Negative result indicated 検査結果 (3) The type of the test 検査方法 (4) The testing location name 検査所名 (5) The date of the test 検体採取日 (6) The name of the administrator for the test 検査管理者氏名 (7) The valid period of the negative test certificate 有効期限

Q: What is acceptable ID to present at check-in time? All guests must provide valid identification that proves their residency in Hyogo prefecture or other applicable prefecture and matches the address registered. A zairyu card is usually sufficient for this but alternatives such as Japanese driver’s license, Japanese health insurance card, My Number card, etc. is also acceptable. For ID, please bring the original (not a copy).

Q: Are foreigners eligible for this campaign? Foreign residents of Hyogo prefecture and other applicable prefectures, irrespective of citizenship, may utilize campaign as long as they meet the other requirements (vaccine, etc). Foreign tourists visiting Japan are NOT applicable.

Q: I have more questions, where can I ask? Please contact us by e-mail with any specific questions: [email protected]

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Ukraine-Russia war: Latest updates

Follow our Ukraine war live page for all the latest developments and analysis of the conflict. Listen to a Daily podcast episode on the notion of the UK putting troops on the ground in Ukraine as you scroll.

Monday 15 April 2024 18:50, UK

• The big picture: What's happening with the war as we enter a new week?
• Your questions answered: Is it too late to save Ukraine?

Good morning, and welcome to our overview of the war between Russia and Ukraine as it rolls into another week.

The big news of the weekend came from the Middle East as Iran launched a significant missile and drone attack on Israel. Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack and said Ukraine knows "very well the horror of similar attacks by Russia".

Meanwhile, a Kremlin-installed official in the southern Zaporizhzhia region said 16 people were killed in an attack on the occupied town of Tokmak, which Russia has blamed on Ukraine. Two  people were also killed in a separate shelling in the Russian-occupied Kherson region.

While our live coverage remains paused, we've zoomed out to give you the bigger picture of the war today.

The frontline

Concerns appear to be increasing that Ukraine's defences may be at risk of collapse in the face of a new Russian assault. 

Sources in numerous media outlets over the past couple of weeks have raised this fear as Ukraine is facing shortages of both manpower and ammunition, and appears outmanned and outgunned on the battlefield.

Western officials told Bloomberg the country is now at its most fragile moment since the war began. 

Ukraine's military chief said on Saturday that the battlefield situation in the east had "significantly worsened in recent days" and that Moscow had ramped up its assaults since Vladimir Putin extended his rule in the Russian presidential election.

Reports also suggest Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, could be among the targets for a renewed Russian assault. 

Kharkiv has faced intense bombardment from Russia in recent months, coming under fire from S-300 ballistic missiles and glide bombs, and was the target of repeated attacks last week. 

The city is not the most likely target of a fresh assault, media reports say, but Russian news outlets have raised the prospect. 

'Massive strikes' on energy infrastructure 

Overnight into Thursday saw a huge assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, with 40 missiles and 40 drones reportedly sent into the country by Russia. 

A thermal power plant just outside Kyiv was completely destroyed and went up in flames, while 200,000 residents in Kharkiv were left without power. 

Vladimir Putin later said he had been "obliged" to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure after Kyiv conducted attacks on Russian oil refineries.

Attacks at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Russia accused Ukraine of attacking the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in a series of drone strikes over three days. 

The attacks at the Russian-occupied plant began on 7 April, with the roof of reactor 6 damaged. 

Ukraine has repeatedly denied involvement and said it would never target a nuclear facility, suggesting Russia was behind the attacks.

The UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, has warned the "reckless" attacks "significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident". 

It has not said who it believes is behind the attacks. 

Civilian casualties increase sharply

The UN recorded a dramatic increase in civilian casualties in Ukraine in the last month. 

At least 57 children were killed or injured in March - double the number in February - as Russian forces stepped up their attacks. 

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission said it had verified at least 604 civilians killed or injured in Ukraine in March, a 20% increase from the previous month. 

"The March increase in civilian casualties was mainly due to attacks by the Russian armed forces using missiles and loitering munitions across Ukraine and increased aerial bombardments near the frontline," the Rights Office said.

It followed warnings from Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine country could run out of air defence missiles if Russia keeps up its intense bombing campaign. 

On Saturday, Uk

At least 10 people, including children, have been killed by shelling in a Russian-occupied town in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region, a local Kremlin-installed official said.

International diplomacy

In a rare meeting between a head of state and a minister, Chinese President Xi Jinping met Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov for talks on Monday. 

The pair met in the Chinese capital, where they pledged to strengthen communication. 

It was also a big week of diplomatic talks for the UK foreign secretary, who headed to Washington to appeal to Congress over the stalled multi-billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine. 

Lord Cameron made what was seen by some as an unusual trip to visit Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago - likely because Republicans blocking the aid bill in the House of Representatives are aligned with Mr Trump. 

The foreign secretary was tight-lipped about what was discussed afterwards, saying the pair had "discussed a range of important geopolitical subjects". 

While live coverage of the war remains paused, here's a quick round-up of the key updates: 

• Two people were killed by Ukrainian strikes on the Russian-held parts of Kherson, the Moscow-installed regional governor said;
• Russia's defence ministry said its air defence systems destroyed 10 Ukraine-launched drones over the Krasnodar region in southern Russia and five drones over the Black Sea overnight; 
• Ukraine similarly claimed to have downed 10 Russian drones;
• The death toll in Zaporizhzhia from yesterday's attack, which Russia blames on Ukraine, rose to 16;
• President Zelenskyy condemned last night's attack by Iran on Israel.

While we haven't been able to bring you live updates today, we have been keeping an eye on what's been happening in the Ukraine conflict. 

Here's a quick round-up of the key updates so far: 

A Ukrainian rocket also struck a machine-building plant in Russian-occupied Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, injuring three civilians, according to Moscow-based official Vladimir Rogov.

Meanwhile, Russia has claimed to have taken a village in Ukraine's Donetsk region. 

Russia's defence ministry said the capturing of Pervomaiske had improved its tactical position on the frontline. 

Ukraine's army chief has also warned the situation on the eastern front had deteriorated in recent days, with Moscow's forces intensifying its armoured assaults. 

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said battles were still raging for control of a village west of the devastated Bakhmut - an area that has seen some of the bloodiest fighting throughout the war.

We'll be back tomorrow morning with more updates on the war in Ukraine.

Two Biden administration officials have revealed the extent of China's involvement in Russia's war on Ukraine.

The officials spoke to Reuters news agency and said China has massively increased its sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology to Moscow.

These items are important because Russia is using them to make tanks, aircraft, missiles and other weapons for the war.

They also said:

• About 90% of Russia's microelectronics came from China
• Nearly 70% of Russia's approximately $900m in machine tool imports in the last quarter of last year came from China
• Chinese and Russian entities have been working together to make drones in Russia
• China is helping Russia improve its satellite and other space-based capabilities for use in the war. This could increase the threat Russia poses across Europe

US President Joe Biden has previously raised concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Beijing's indirect involvement in the war.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen returned this week from a visit to Beijing and said she had warned China that the Biden administration was prepared to sanction Chinese banks, companies and Beijing's leadership if they helped Russia's military in the war.

She has already been given the go-ahead from Mr Biden to sanction financial institutions that help Russia's military-industrial complex.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to travel to China for talks next month.

Russia, increasingly isolated economically and diplomatically, has become more reliant on China in recent months.

One official said Chinese materials are helping Moscow undertake its "most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible early on in this conflict".

"Our view is that one of the most game-changing moves available to us at this time to support Ukraine is to persuade the PRC (China) to stop helping Russia reconstitute its military industrial base. Russia would struggle to sustain its war effort without PRC input," the official said. 

Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Reuters that Beijing has not provided weapons to any party and that it is "not a producer of or party involved in the Ukraine crisis".

"We urge the US side to refrain from disparaging and scapegoating the normal relationship between China and Russia."

If Russia defeats Ukraine it will be a "turning point in history", former UK prime minister Boris Johnson says.

Writing in the Daily Mail, he criticised Western countries for not providing Ukraine with the weapons it needs to defeat Russia.

"Every week in which we fail to do the obvious — and give the Ukrainians the weapons they need — is a week in which Putin gets closer to his disgusting ambition, to torture a European country to death.

"Every day the pressure on the Ukrainians is growing — and yet the solution is within our grasp."

Mr Johnson, who visited Ukraine a number of times during his premiership, said: "A defeat for Ukraine would usher in a new era of fear in the whole Euro-Atlantic area, as Putin continues his drive to rebuild the Soviet empire: from the Baltics to Georgia to Moldova to Central Asia to the Arctic.

"It will be a terrifying moment for the people of Taiwan and the clearest possible signal to China that the West has lost the willpower to protect democracy.

"It will be a turning point in history, the moment when the West finally loses its post-war hegemony, the moment when borders everywhere are suddenly up for grabs and aggression is seen to pay — and all because of a failure to stand up for Ukraine."

Mr Johnson warned the world is "on a knife-edge, with a real risk that Western democracies are about to be humiliated, and autocracies emboldened around the world — because of our lassitude, our pathetic refusal to do what is necessary".

He said Ukraine is so short of shells that its troops sometimes have to wait under Russian bombardment because they can't fire back.

The shortage of air defences means Kharkiv, the second-largest city, is "in danger of being turned into another Mariupol", he added.

Ukrainians were able to intercept 90% of incoming strikes, he said, but now "we are starving them, for reasons I do not understand, of the protective shields they need".

Mr Johnson called on the US Congress to approve a $60bn military aid package earmarked for Ukraine and on the Germans to supply Taurus missiles.

The West - including Britain - needs to "snap out of our sleep-walk", he said, adding: "The simplest and most cost-effective way to defend freedom is to invest now in the defence of Ukraine."

Rescue workers in Ukraine have saved five puppies from under the debris of a destroyed building.

The non-residential building was on fire in the north-eastern city of Sumy, close to the border with Russia.

A video from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine showed the firefighters cuddling the squealing puppies and rinsing them off with water.

In a post of the emergency service's Telegram channel, officials said the "little ones" were not injured.

"This rescue story reminds us of the importance of human compassion and the willingness to help everyone, regardless of the circumstances," they added.

Ex-armed forces minister James Heappey has told Sky's defence and security editor Deborah Haynes the UK should consider sending its forces to Ukraine to train troops.  

On the Sky News Daily, host Tom Cheshire talks to her and Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke about the interview with Mr Heappey, who stepped down from his role last month.  

They assess the bleak situation in Ukraine and why the conflict is at a critical stage. They also discuss how prepared the UK would be if it faced a war in the near future.

A former Ukrainian secret service employee has been injured in Moscow after a device under his car exploded.

Vasily Prozorov suffered leg injuries that are not considered life threatening after the device detonated as he tried to start his car, Radio Free Europe cited Russian media as saying.

According to RFE, Mr Prozorov worked for Ukraine's SBU until 2018.

The following year, he told media in Moscow that he had collaborated with Russia "for ideological reasons" from April 2014 until he left the SBU.

These photos show the damage to a thermal power plant in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine.

A massive missile and drone attack destroyed and damaged a number of power plants across Ukraine overnight, part of a renewed Russian campaign targeting energy infrastructure.

The Trypilska plant, which was the biggest energy supplier for the Kyiv, Cherkasy and Zhytomyr regions, was struck numerous times, destroying the transformer, turbines and generators.

Vladimir Putin said the attacks were a response to Ukrainian strikes that targeted Russian oil refineries.

In Kharkiv, there were at least 10 other strikes on energy infrastructure, resulting in damage like that seen in these photos.

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said more than 200,000 people in the region were without power.

Herman Halushchenko, its energy minister, said it was a "large scale, enormous, missile attack that affected our energy sector very badly".

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