Japan has reopened to international travellers who have booked an approved packaged tour since June 10, but there are still caps and regulations in place.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has set a daily cap on the number of visitor arrivals, including Japanese nationals and returning foreign residents, at 20 000.
The Economist Intelligence Unit reports that Japan welcomed about 32 million foreign visitors in 2019 and had been on track to achieve its goal of 40 million in 2022. The COVID pandemic caused arrival numbers to plummet, and there were only 250 000 foreign visitors in 2021 according to government data.
Countries wanting to travel to Japan are classified into three categories — blue, red and yellow and travellers may be subjected to additional restrictions depending on where they are coming from.
René Swart, Tour Operations Manager at Wendy Wu Tours, reports increased interest in travel to Japan. “Although bookings are not yet being made for Japan, there is definitely an increased interest, and enquiries and quotes are starting to stream in especially for the upcoming cherry blossom season beginning in March 2023. We do foresee restrictions being further eased by then.”
Said Swart: “Our operations department will assist travellers with regard to the COVID protocols and entry requirement for tourists entering Japan in the meantime. Other than having to be sponsored and registered by an approved Japanese agency, the current travel requirements to Japan are much like every other destination, and travel agents should not be deterred from selling, nor their travellers from travelling to Japan.”
Current entry regulations for Japan
- Foreigners can enter for tourism purposes provided they are sponsored and registered on the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS) by an approved Japanese travel agency.
- Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from isolation requirements.
- All travellers must present negative results from a COVID-19 test performed within 72 hours before departure.
- Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to take a test on arrival.
- Travellers must install the contact confirmation application, COCOA, the location confirmation application, OEL, and the video-calling application (Skype or WhatsApp) designated by MHLW.
- Before departure, travellers should complete an inspection certificate, a written pledge, and a questionnaire, and submit these to immigration on arrival.
- Travel insurance is not mandatory.
