I Want to Go to Japan Again

Prime Minister Kishida recently announced that Japan will bring their border policies in line with the rest of the G7 by June. They are starting with a monitored tour this month and hopes are high for a general opening soon after. Here are all the details on travel restrictions, flights, and entry procedures.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple with cherries in full bloom: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com

Situation Summary

Last update: May 23, 2022 (this page is updated every Monday)

IMPORTANT: Japan just announced that they will reopen to tourists fairly soon but has not announced a formal schedule. We will provide more details as soon as we hear them. For now, check out this Japan Times article. All the information below may be changed in view of this recent announcement.

Family members of Japanese and foreign residents of Japan can now visit Japan (you'll have to apply in advance for a visa – see details below).
Foreign business travelers and students can enter Japan as long as they have the proper visa (you must apply in advance and you'll need a sponsor in Japan).
Quarantine for business travelers and students will be three days for some and eliminated for those from countries where Covid is controlled (including the United States).
Prime Minister Kishida has promised that Japan will bring its border regulations in line with the rest of the G7. They're starting with a monitored package tour for journalists this month. The details of further opening are not clear but we expect an announcement in the week or so.
We will update this page weekly on Mondays, Japan time.
Japan is still closed to tourists now, but will reopen in the future. Now is the time to start planning a trip to Japan. Contact Chris Rowthorn to start planning.
Want to be alerted as soon as Japan announces reopening? Scroll down and sign up for our newsletter.

Odds of Japan Reopening to Independent Tourists (personal opinion/explanation below):

May 2022: 5%
June 2022: 40%
July 2022: 80%
August 2022: 90%
Fall 2022: 95%

Commentary by Chris

On May 6, at a G7 meeting in London, Japan's Prime Minister Kishida announced that Japan planned to bring their border policies in line with those of other G7 nations "by June." The euphoria felt by those in the Japan travel industry (myself included) was quickly tempered by follow-up announcements indicating that Japan intended to start with package tours this month.

It appears that the package tour approach is designed to get the Japanese public used to the idea of foreign tourists coming back to Japan. It's basically a publicity stunt and the participants are journalists who will, presumably, write gushing stories about Japan. It's possible that the government will then start allowing real tourists in on carefully monitored package tours, but it's unlikely that these will succeed, especially when the most likely participants in those tours are not allowed to travel this year.

There have been various rumors and leaks from the Japanese government about an impending announcement of the real reopening schedule. Some speculate that an announcement will coincide with this week's visit of President Biden to Japan. Personally, I expect an announcement about the reopening schedule to happen by the end of this month or in early June at the latest. I think there are decent odds for a June opening to independent tourists, and fairly good odds for July. Barring anything unforeseen, I think it's a very safe bet that Japan will be open to independent tourists this fall. And, best of all, they're going to scrap arrival testing for most nationalities.

No matter what, you should still plan with some flexibility, check rescheduling and cancellation fees for plane tickets, and have Plan B in mind if Japan does not reopen in time for your trip.

But, keep this in mind: Right now, Japan is incredibly cheap. Unlike the West, there hasn't been much inflation in Japan in the last two years. And the yen is back near the level it was in 1992, when I first arrived in Japan. So, Japan will feel like an incredible bargain. And, because it will take a while before people catch on that Japan is open, you will be able to experience Japan without the crowds.

What could be better? No crowds and incredibly low prices! The time to visit Japan will be as soon as Japan opens. Be ready to act fast!

As always, I will keep you posted. Please check back here and sign up for our newsletter to be informed of the latest news by email blast.

Details of "Kinship Visa" Entry

Close relatives of Japanese nationals and foreign permanent and long-term residents of Japan can now enter Japan provided they apply in advance.

It's rather confusing, but the Japan Times reports the following people can visit Japan on a kinship visa:

Family members within the first degree of kinship toteijūsha (long-term foreign residents) who want to come to Japan to visit their family. (First-degree kinship is defined as children and parents, while second-degree kinship refers to siblings, grandparents and grandchildren.)
Family members within the first and second degrees of kinship to Japanese nationals and permanent residents who want to come to Japan to visit their family.

So, here's the gist: If you have a Japanese relative living in Japan, you can probably visit. And, if you have a spouse, parent or child who is living in Japan as a permanent resident (eijusha, 永住者) or long-term resident (teijusha, 定住者) you can visit (one of those things must be written on their residence card). Not all foreigners living in Japan are classified as long-term or permanent residents. Many people on student or work visas are not long-term residents. The easiest way to check is to get your contact in Japan to look at their residence card (on which their status will be written in English and Japanese). Foreign military personnel are generally not classified as long-term residents.

Here are some key points:

If you qualify for a kinship visa, you can visit for social (ie, non-emergency) purposes and you are free to travel anywhere in the country.
Your relative in Japan will have to supply some paperwork. Japanese nationals will have to supply a koseki-tohon (family registry). Permanent and long-term residents will have to supply a copy, scan or photo of their residence card and juminhyo (residence certificate).
The whole application process takes around 5 or 6 weeks, but you may be able to move things along a little faster.

The Japan Consulate in Los Angeles has an excellent fact sheet on the kinship visa process.

The Japan Consulate in Seattle has a good checklist of the materials you must submit.

Latest Japan Coronavirus News

Japan Times: Weekly COVID-19 Updates and Bulletins Roundup – May 19
Japan Times: Family of Foreign Residents Can Now Enter Japan
Japan Times: Kishida Promises to Reopen Borders
Japan Times: Japan Doubles Daily Entry Cap for June
Japan Times: Japan to Scrap Arrival Test for Most Arrivals

Is Japan Open for Travel Now?

Since March 1, foreign business travelers and students can enter Japan provided they have the proper visa (apply in advance at the nearest Japan embassy or consulate – you will need a sponsor in Japan). Also, as mentioned above, some relatives of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and long-term residents can enter (see the above "Kinship Visa" section for details). Tourists cannot presently enter but we hope to hear an announcement soon about when they will be able to enter.

Please check the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (MOFA) for the latest details. Because that page is quite confusing, you may also want to call the Japanese embassy or consulate nearest you.

Alternatively, the United States Embassy in Tokyo has the clearest information on the specifics of the new entry policy here (scroll down to "Entry and Exit Requirements"). Another good source is the ANA website.

What Will You Need to Enter Japan When It Reopens?

Although Japan has not formally announced how and when they will reopen to tourists, we can guess about what a reopening will look like based on how they've been reopening to foreign residents and business people. Based on this information, you can start to make some sensible preparations for the time when Japan does actually open its doors again. Here are some key points:

A negative COVID test will likely be necessary within 72 hours of boarding your flight to Japan. You'll almost certainly be asked to show proof of this when you check in for your flight, and you'll have to show it to Japanese immigration upon arrival. At this point, there are two acceptable tests: the PCR test and the CLEIA quantitative antigen test. You might start researching where you can get such a test on this timetable, including airports where such testing services are available.
The Japanese government websites are confusing and self-contradictory regarding COVID-related issues. See the US Embassy in Tokyo's site listed above for the clearest and most up-to-date details.
If worst comes to worst, you want to be sure that your travel insurance policy. World Nomads policies do cover COVID treatment. For more details, visit our travel insurance page.

We will continue to monitor developments around opening closely. As soon as Japan announces the details, we will publish them here. We aim to give full details on entry requirements, application procedures, and actual experiences with entering Japan, so check back frequently.

Flights to Japan Currently Operating

Here are cities with direct flights to Japan and the airlines that operate them. Most flights go to Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), but some flights also go to Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto). Most flights here are not daily, but a few times a week.

Japan Airlines planes at Narita International Airport: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

North America

Vancouver: Air Canada, ANA, Japan Airlines, American Airlines
Seattle: ANA, Japan Airlines, Delta, American, United
San Francisco: United, American, ANA, Japan Airlines
Los Angeles: United, American, ANA, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines
Chicago: United, American, ANA, Japan Airlines
Dallas/Fort Worth: American, Japan Airlines
Atlanta: Delta
New York: United, American, ANA, Japan Airlines

Europe

London: ANA, Japan Airlines
Paris: Air France, ANA, Japan Airlines
Frankfurt: Lufthansa, ANA, Japan Airlines, Finnair, British Airways
Helsinki: Finnair, British Airways, Japan Airlines
Istanbul: Turkish Airlines, ANA

Oceania

Sydney: Qantas, ANA, Japan Airlines

Asia

Bangkok: Thai, Bangkok Airways, ZIPAIR, ANA, Japan Airlines
KL: Malaysia, ANA, Japan Airlines
HCMC: Viet Jet Air, Vietname, ANA, Japan Airlines
Hong Kong: Cathay, Hong Kong Express, ANA, Japan Airlines
Taipei: China Airlines, EVA, Scoot, Starlux, ANA, Japan Airlines
Singapore: Singapore Airlines, ANA, Japan Airlines
Seoul: Korean Air, Asiana, Ethiopian, ANA, Japan Airlines

Here are links to Japanese airlines COVID-19 countermeasures pages:

JAL COVID-19 countermeasures
ANA COVID-19 countermeasures

Hotels Emphasizing Safety and Hygiene in Japan

Almost all hotels in Japan are taking extreme precautions to make their properties as safe as possible. Other forms of accommodation are also taking extensive safety measures. Click the links below for the details on their COVID countermeasures.

Mandarin Oriental Tokyo guest room

Kyoto

Four Seasons Kyoto
Old Kyoto Machiya (traditional home rentals)

Tokyo

Peninsula Tokyo
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Marunouchi Hotel

Japan Coronavirus Information

At the time of writing, Japan has been experiencing around 37,000 new cases a day, according to the Japan COVID-19 Tracker. Japan has had around total 68,000 cases per million people. The Omicron wave has peaked and cases are falling rapidly.

Here is a useful link for the latest coronavirus numbers on Japan:

Japan COVID-19 Coronavirus Tracker

People wearing masks in Kobe. Editorial credit: Hinochika / Shutterstock.com
People wearing masks in Kobe: Hinochika / Shutterstock.com

Tips for Safe Travel in Japan

Here are some useful tips to ensure a safe trip during these unusual times.

Masks are available at drug stores, supermarkets and some department stores. You can also pick them up at airports in Japan. If you can't find them, you can simply ask someone: "masuku arimasu-ka?" (Do you have masks?) or show them this: マスクを探しています。
Hand sanitizer is available at most places that sell masks (see above).
If you want as much distance around you as possible on trains, consider green cars, especially on the shinkansen.
Many restaurants in Japan offer private rooms, which are called "koshitsu." Your hotel concierge can help you locate such restaurants and reserve them for you.
Consider visiting popular destinations early in the morning or just before they close in the late afternoon. Or, consider visiting off-the-beaten-track destinations.
Avoid crowded areas. Here are some tips on how to avoid the crowds in Kyoto.

Kyoto in cherry blossom season: f11 photo / Shutterstock.com

More Useful Information

Best Hotels in Kyoto
Best Hotels in Tokyo
Japan Rail Pass Guide

Kyoto District Map

Click a Kyoto District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation

Arashiyama
Central Kyoto
Northwest Kyoto
Nishijin
Northern Higashiyama
Southern Higashiyama
Downtown Kyoto
Kyoto Station Area
South East Kyoto

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Source: https://www.insidekyoto.com/can-i-travel-to-japan-now