Travel to Japan just became easier
After imposing some of the toughest travel restrictions during the pandemic, conditions of entry into the land of the rising sun have been relaxed.
After imposing some of the toughest travel restrictions during the pandemic, conditions of entry into the land of the rising sun have been relaxed.
Local authorities confirmed early on Thursday that entry numbers into Japan will be boosted and requirements about pre-arranged guided travel will be scrapped.
Starting from midnight on September 7 (local time), travellers will be allowed to move freely around the country unchaperoned. Daily arrival caps increase from 20,000 and to a maximum of 50,000 tourists.
However, some requirements still remain in place, with travellers needing to apply for a visa and purchase a "packaged tour" which will be unsupervised for the duration of their stay. Licensed tour operator Walk Japan offers self-guided tours to various regions including Kumano, Basho, Kunisaki and Tokaido, ranging in price and duration, and is among local agencies set to benefit from the change.
Simon King, co-founder of tour company InsideJapan, says they have "been waiting a long time" for the announcement.
While the exact requirements of the unsupervised "packaged tours" are yet to be confirmed, it's a big change from Japan's previous measure.
Under the first stage, travellers from a list of 98 countries deemed “low risk” were allowed to enter as part of a chaperoned tour with local guides.
“Tour guides should frequently remind participants of necessary infection prevention measures, including wearing and removing masks, at each stage of the tour,” the JTA said at the time. “Even outdoors, the wearing of masks should continue in situations where people are conversing in close proximity.”
The list of low-risk countries included Australia, the United States, Britain, China and South Korea. Travellers also had wear face masks indoors and social distance while maskless in outdoor spaces.
Japan’s tourism minister Tetsuo Saito said understanding and complying with the guidelines will lead to the “smooth resumption of inbound tourism” and its expansion.
“If travel agencies and others comply with the guidelines, inbound tourism will resume smoothly and lead to a further increase in visitors,” he said.
Local authorities said travellers will also need to take out private medical insurance in case they contract coronavirus during their stay. Any traveller who tests positive for Covid-19 while in the country will be moved to a medical institution. They will also be asked to report back if they test positive within seven days of returning home.
The first phase of reopening began on June 10. Japanese travel agencies set tours that avoided crowded areas and selected hotels and attractions with strict coronavirus rules.