japan visa free travel october 2022

Japan Reopens to Visa-free Individual Tourism From October 11, 2022!

More than 2 years and a half!

The Japanese archipelago was closed to foreign tourists during more than 30 months / nearly 1,000 days: an unheard-of situation, especially for such a long time, that frustrated travelers and weakened many tour operators and travel agencies.

However, the wait is closing to the end: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on September 22 from New York that visa-free individual tourism in Japan will resume from October 11, 2022 . As usual, the country took its time to act; it is one of the latest countries in the world to reopen its borders to tourism, and the very last (and late) of the G7.

Let’s review all the aspects involved by this long-awaited good news!

🎌 When will Japanese borders will reopen to visa-free tourism?

Traveling in Japan without constraint as a tourist is possible from October 11, 2022 .

The Japanese government has been working on a borders reopening schedule since April 27 to help revive the economy. The reopening to tourism was very slow and gradual, but there are not any constraint anymore and anyone can travel freely to Japan.

Who can travel to Japan?

Anyone, regardless of citizenship , can go to Japan.

Most of people in the world regardless their citizenship can be admitted in Japan, but only nationals from the blue countries list can do so without constraint. This list is quite large, with 128 countries, including Canada and the United States for example.

For the other colors (yellow and red), some restrictions still apply, such as vaccination / PCR test before traveling, and quarantine upon arrival.

🛂 Is a visa required to enter the Japanese territory

No, getting a tourism visa is not mandatory anymore from October 11, 2022 : a valid passport is enough for any stay shorter than 3 months with touristic purpose.

Tourist visa had been reintroduced on June 2022 and it was necessary to get sponsorship by a travel agent.

From October 11, the visa waiver system between Japan and 68 other countries in the world is restored. From this date on, it will be possible again to stay up to 90 days in Japan, without tedious paperwork at the Embassy or the Consulate: you will just have your passport stamped upon arrival in Japan.

💉 Is Covid vaccine required?

No, being vaccinated against Covid is not mandatory to enter in Japan.

Regardless of the number of vaccine doses you received, you are likely to be admitted in Japan. However, if you got your 3 shots, you will be exempted from doing a PCR test before flying.

Note that having been infected by Covid does not count as a vaccine dose!

Vaccines recognized in Japan are:

• Comirnaty (Pfizer)
• Spikevax (Moderna)
• Vaxzeveria (AstraZeneca)
• Jcovden (Janssen)
• Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
• Covaxin (Bharat Biotech)

👩‍🔬 Is a Covid PCR test mandatory?

A negative PCR test shortly before arrival is required only for travelers who did not get three vaccine doses.

The Japanese immigration asks travelers to prove they don’t have Covid-19 . Travelers must submit this completed form after doing a PCR test (with a swab in the nose) within 72 hours / 3 days before departure and getting a negative result. However, people who received 3 vaccine shots don’t need to do a PCR test.

PCR testing upon arrival in Japan has been scrapped since June 2022, greatly improving the procedures for leaving the airport.

Only Chinese citizens or people who transited by China in the 7 days prior their trip to Japan must do a Covid test upon arrival in the archipelago (and a 7-days quarantine if the test comes out positive).

🧒 What about PCR tests / vaccines for minor children?

Minor children don’t need to be vaccinated , and in some cases can be exempted of PCR test.

In mid-September, the Japanese Ministry of Health provided information about babies / children / teenagers traveling to Japan:

• If the underage child enters in Japan with a parent who got their 3 doses, then the child is also considered being fully vaccinated, even if they are not. The negative PCR test before flying is therefore not required.
• If a child under 6 years old enters in Japan with a parent who did not get their 3 shots, but do have a negative PCR test, then the child is also considered having a negative PCR test, even if they haven’t done it.

In every other cases, the underage child must either prove that they have received 3 vaccine doses, or provide a negative PCR test made less than 72 hours prior to departure to Japan.

🏨 Is there a quarantine for tourists arriving in Japan?

No, there is no mandatory quarantine or self-isolation after landing in Japan.

It is therefore possible to:

• Stay a few days to visit Tokyo before going to Hakone , Kyoto or in any other prefecture in Japan,
• Take the Shinkansen bullet train directly after landing thanks to the JR Pass, or,
• Just make a stopover at the airport to hop on a domestic flight.

In short, tourists are free as birds as soon as arrival!

🔢 Is there a daily cap for travelers?

No, there is no more entry daily cap in Japan.

Since March 2020, Japan has implemented a daily cap for overseas visitors, that reached 50,000 in September. From October 11, there will be no daily entry cap in the archipelago.

For reference, in 2019, the last "norma" year before Covid, the Japanese territory welcomed on average ~140,000 daily entries, including ~87,000 foreign visitors (~80% were from Asia : ~25% China, ~19% South Korea and ~14% Taiwan).

🧍 Is it mandatory to take part to a package group tour?

No , package group tours were just part of a single test in spring   🌸 2022.

This test was conducted only for a few days overlapping the end of May and early June 2022.

📋 Is a travel insurance mandatory?

Yes , but most of travelers already have one.

Travelers must be covered by their own health insurance. This service is offered to Visa or Mastercard clients with purchases in connection to the trip (flights tickets, accommodation…) made with a bank card  💳 , especially if it is a "Gold" / "Premier".

Naturally, you may want to purchase a cancellation insurance:

📱 Do I need to install a specific app to enter in Japan?

No , this obligation was lifted in October 2022.

During Covid, the Japanese government required overseas visitors to install on their smartphone  📱 :

• MySOS to register information regarding vaccine / PCR test prior to arrival and save time at the airport in Japan ("fast track" system);
• COCOA for contact cases tracing, but the app was discontinued in September 2022.

It is however recommended to register through Visit Japan Webto save time upon arrival in Japan.

As many Wi-Fi hot-spots have disappeared due to the Covid period, it is all the more useful to book a Pocket Wi-Fi in advance to make sure to always have an unlimited high-speed access to the internet  📶 during your trip:

🤒 Is there a body temperature check upon arrival in Japan?

No , this mesure was discontinued before the first easing to tourists at the end of spring.

A health center for foreign tourists is based in Tokyo, and is the reference if a question or problem arised (fever, Coronavirus  🦠 symptoms...)

😷 Is masking mandatory in Japan?

Generally no , but some places may require their visitors to do so.

On a legal basis, wearing a face mask  😷 is not mandatory in Japan. However, in the wake of the reopening, the government allowed hotels  🏨 to refuse customers who would not wear a mask at their premises.

Regardless, wearing a face covering is akin to a social duty in the archipelago. Many Japanese wear one permanently, even in the outdoors. Thus, the Japanese government published a document to sum up all the situations where wearing a mask was a necessity. In addition, many places ( temples , shops, etc.) require that people wear a mask on their grounds.

Therefore, wearing a face mask as often as possible is not required but socially desirable, especially when indoor.

🗾 Are there prefectures or places that are off-limits?

No , Japan’s whole territory is opened to travelers.

There is no geographical restriction for traveling in Japan, and the Japan Rail pass is still a convenient asset:

🏥 Is it safe to travel in Japan in 2022 and 2023 with the Coronavirus?

Yes, Japan is one of the countries that best resisted against the Coronavirus . It is way safer to travel in Japan than in many other places in the world.

The spreading was contained since the beginning of the pandemic. With only 34 deceased for 100,000 inhabitants, the Japanese succeeded in protecting themselves thanks to basic precautionary measures:

• The widespread use of sanitary face masks;
• The natural social distancing; and,
• An unparalleled civic-minded attitude.

Moreover, Japan benefits from a solid and modern health system that can treat with great care the severe forms of Covid, as well as any other disease.

From May 8, 2023, the Coronavirus will be downgraded from Category II to a Category V disease, like the seasonal flu. Which likely means:

• No more PCR Test required to enter Japan;
• No more indoor face mask mandate;
• No more sudden border closure.

❌ Are there places still closed in Tokyo or anywhere else?

No, everything is open as Japan has been resuming usual activities for a long time.

While there has been no lock-down in Japan, some museums or themed parks did close for a few weeks in spring 2020. Events (conventions, matsuri, sports competitions) may have been canceled, aired on line only, or postponed. We have a list of places closed at the moment, but most closures are not related to Covid anymore.

Now, the only difference with 2019 and the previous years are:

• Wearing a face mask is sometimes mandatory to enter some places;
• Staff may (seldom) take people’s temperature with a no-touch thermometer at the entrance of shops;
• Hand sanitizer is often freely available.

But this measures are certainly not specific to Japan.

🙇🏻 Are Japanese people welcoming to foreigners?

Yes, Japanese people have an unparalleled hospitality culture .

In Japanese, there is the concept of omotenashi and it encompasses the idea of welcoming the other in a broader sense. Moreover, the tourism industry has greatly suffered since March 2020, as well as the Japanese economy, all the more with the recent inflation.

Many Japanese are eager to welcome back tourism on their country.

💣 What is the impact of the war in Ukraine on the trip to Japan?

Direct flights last 2 more hours.

Since February 2022 and the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, Russia’s airspace is off-limits to airways flying to Japan. Flights must travel by the southern route, which lengthen the flight  ✈️ duration for a total 14~15 hours for a direct flight (with Air France, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways).

Japanese airways’ suspended connections with Europe (except for London), resumed in early may. Other companies, like Qatar, Emirates, Etihad, are not impacted as they were already using the southern route.

💴 Is it more costly to travel to Japan after Covid?

Yes, unfortunately , due to several factors.

The budget for a trip to Japan increased due to:

• More expensive flight tickets, due to kerosene costs, longer routes and the rule of supply / demand;
• Accommodation also rose their prices to compensate the low revenues since March 2020.

However, the Yen  💴 has been very weak for a few months compared to Euro and Dollar, which results in unexpected advantages for international travelers in Japan on services such as:

• The must-have to order before departure: transportation Passes and Pocket Wi-Fi;
• Private guides: airport guidance and / or bilingual private tours in cities or on excursions;
• Tickets and admissions to temples, museums and other places to visit;
• Restaurants;

Now is the good moment to buy Yens before going to Japan.

⚠️ How to postpone an already booked travel?

If your travel was scheduled by October 2022 included, you may need to postpone it .

Do not wait to secure new holiday dates as many travelers are in the same situation:

• If you booked everything by yourself: you must contact each service provider (airway, accommodation, guide, etc.) to modify every items in your plan, with modification fees to pay;
• If you booked a full travel with a travel agent: just contact them to change the dates and the agency will take care of all the modifications for you, usually without additional fee (unless you want to lengthen the trip, upgrade or add services).

✈️ How to plan a post-Covid travel to Japan?

It is possible to organize a trip to Japan alone or with a specialized travel agency .

If you have time but a limited budget, you can prepare your travel in Japan by yourself, especially if you use our many articles on Kanpai.

However, the experience from the last 2 years and a half has proved that travelers who prepared their holidays alone had a harder time to postpone or cancel their trip.

While it might be a little bit more expensive, reaching out to a Japan-specialized travel agency offers a greatly enjoyable peace of mind as you hire an expert of the destination who will take care of everything:

• Understanding your needs;
• Organizing and booking according to what you want;
• Postponing if necessary, with no additional charge; and,
• Support if any problem arises.

It also helps supporting the tourism industry, that was one of the hardest hit by Covid on economic level, but also the local economy as any good Japan-specialized travel agency is working with sister companies in the archipelago.

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Japan to Reintroduce Visa-Free Travel

Japan has announced that it will reinstate its visa waiver program for all eligible nationalities, starting October 11, 2022 .

Citizens of visa exempt countries will once again be allowed to enter the country without a Japanese visa. Other nationalities still need to obtain a valid visa to visit Japan , though some may soon be permitted to apply for a Japan eVisa—making the application process much easier.

After implementing strict border control measures for the last 2 years, the country has now begun to reopen to international tourists . The recent move is one of a number of travel restrictions which will be removed for foreign arrivals.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave the announcement at a news conference in New York, commenting that Japan will “relax border control measures to be on par with the US ”.

Currently, passengers traveling to the United States only need a COVID-19 vaccine certificate to enter the country. With the new rules, visitors to Japan will either need to be boosted with a vaccine , or show a negative test result.

Japan’s Strict COVID-19 Measures

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan has been completely closed to tourists — only Japanese citizens and residents could enter the country.

These restrictions have been met with mixed reactions , with some praising Kishida for remaining cautious, while others have complained about the damage to Japan’s economy.

On June 10, 2022, Japan reopened to tourism, however with strict requisites. Only tourists who are traveling as part of an organized package tour group can visit Japan, and there is a 50,000 cap on daily arrivals.

From October 11, 2022 , there will be no limit on daily arrivals and individual travel will resume.

Japan visa exemptions suspended

As part of its COVID-19 safety measures, Japan also suspended all visa waivers .

Usually, over 60 nationalities can enter the country without a visa and stay for up to 90 days . With the suspension of this program, citizens of these countries have been required to obtain a visa, along with all other nationalities.

With the reintroduction of visa-free travel , visitors from many nations will be able to take a trip to Japan without a travel permit.

Boosting Japan’s Tourism Industry

Japan’s tourism sector has suffered greatly from the strict border measures during the pandemic.

Pre-pandemic, Japan was one of the most-visited countries in Asia , ranking No. 1 on the World Economic Forum's latest Travel & Tourism Development Index.

In 2019, before COVID-19 hit the country, over 31.8 million people visited Japan. This number drastically declined to just 246,000 in 2021.

With the easing of almost all travel restrictions, Japan hopes to boost its tourism industry and start moving back to pre-COVID-19 numbers.

In addition to removing safety measures, Kishida announced that there will be a nationwide travel discount program to encourage international tourists to visit the country.

President Kishida said:

“I hope many people will utilize them. I want to support the travel, entertainment and other industries that have been struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.”

Who Can Travel to Japan Without a Visa?

Citizens of over 60 countries can travel to Japan without a visa, as part of its visa waiver program. When the policy is reinstated, all travelers with a passport from an eligible nation will be granted visa-free entry.

Eligible countries include: all European Union nations, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Taiwan.

Do I Need a Visa for Japan?

Travelers who are not part of Japan’s visa waiver program must still obtain a valid visa to enter the country.

Currently, the only way to get a visa for Japan is through a diplomatic government office. Applicants must go in person to a Japanese embassy or consulate to request a visa for their trip.

Japan has an electronic visa system which is in motion. Certain nationalities may soon become eligible for the online eVisa service. This type of travel permit is ideal for visitors, as it removes the need to apply in person.

Applicants will simply need to complete the Japan eVisa form , pay a small fee, and wait for the visa to be sent to them by email. The process is 100% online , and only takes a few minutes.

Latest news about Japan Entry Visas

New Japan eVisa for Canadian, U.S., and Taiwanese Citizens

Crossing Japan’s Borders

Autumn Festivals in Japan

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Japan Will Restart Visa-Free Tourism in October—Here's What to Know for Your Next Visit

By Melinda Joe

The moment the world has been waiting for has finally arrived: Individual tourists can once again visit Japan freely, with no requirement to be part of an organized group tour or to have a special visa.

Starting October 11, Japan will lift the majority of its strict entry requirements for tourists, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced in a speech on Thursday. The country—a favorite destination among travelers around the world that saw a record number of visitors in 2019 —was one of the slower and more cautious countries to welcome back travelers.

For more than two years, Japan's borders remained closed to tourists. In June, the country first reopened to leisure travelers from 98 countries including the U.S., but officials required a visa for entry and capped daily visitors at 20,000 people (later elevating it to 50,000 daily visitors). Tourists were also required to be part of a tour-operator group and to purchase private insurance that would cover any medical expenses related to COVID-19.

But, as of October 11, all those requirements will fall by the wayside. "We will remove the cap on the number of people entering the country, and will resume accepting individual travel and visa-free travel," Kishida said on Thursday, according to Nikkei Asia . All visitors will need to be vaccinated three times or submit a negative COVID-19 test result before arrival, Japan Times reported. 

The lifting of restrictions is sure to bring a host of first-time visitors to the country. But even returning travelers will find much to discover in the Land of the Rising Sun. Here are the best new hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Japan following the reopening—from Tokyo , Kyoto , and Osaka , to the northern island of Hokkaido and the southern paradise of Okinawa .

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The pool at Four Seasons Otemachi

What's new in Tokyo

Prior to the pandemic, Olympic fever sparked a frenzy of development in Tokyo, adding a host of new hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafes. With more venues slated to open this summer and autumn, there’s never been a more exciting time to visit Japan’s capital.

The hottest hotel openings were Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, the Four Seasons Otemachi , and The Tokyo Edition Toranomon . The buzzy vibe at the Kimpton channels Manhattan with design inspired by New York’s art world, and dog-friendly dining at District brasserie. With expansive views of the Imperial Palace, a tranquility pool in the lounge, and Zen-influenced accents in the guest rooms, the Four Seasons Otemachi is an oasis of calm in the financial district—with Michelin-starred French cuisine at Est and sophisticated cocktails at bar Virtus. Over at the Tokyo Edition, the glittering new Gold Bar offers prime people-watching and a drinks list that pays homage to the pre-Prohibition golden age of tipples—and it's worth a visit even if you’re not staying at the hotel.

Despite a tumultuous two years of pandemic-induced dining restrictions, the food scene is thriving with the arrival of a new wave of ambitious, young chefs bringing fresh perspective and international flair to the Japanese capital. British-born Daniel Calvert kicked off the trend with Sezanne , situated in an art-filled space inside the Four Seasons Marunouchi . In its first year, the venue has already racked up a string of accolades—including a Michelin star and the number 17 slot on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants—for impeccable signatures like a layered heirloom tomato tart with burrata cream and Calvert’s French riff on Shanghainese drunken chicken. 

At Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura , head chef Antonio Iacoviello interprets Japanese ingredients through the lens of Italian cuisine (think eggplant Parmigiana-meets-spaghetti aglio e olio, in a smoky dashi of fermented eggplant). Iacoviello’s dazzling presentations match the interior outfitted with antique mirrors and tables set with Gucci cups and plates. A few blocks away at Ginza Yuzan , Japanese-American chef Keiichiro Kurobe (of L.A.’s Hinoki and The Bird fame) offers a taste of California-style multiculturalism with dishes such as claypot-cooked arroz con pollo and egg-filled arancini with umami sauce. Virgilio Martinez’s brand-new Maz Tokyo , led by Santiago Fernandez, explores Peru’s diverse terrain and food culture in inventive combinations like iwana river fish topped with watermelon granita and coconut-herb sauce, and desserts that use every part of the cacao fruit—from the fermented and roasted rind to a sweet-and-tart jelly made from the pulp inside the pod.

Other notable additions include 3110NZ by LDH Kitchen , an art gallery-cum-sushi joint collaboration between gallery Nanzuka Underground and renowned Sushi Saito, set in a futuristic space with glowing recessed lighting cut into the white walls. At Nine by La Cime , chefs Yusuke Takada (of Osaka’s two-Michelin-starred La Cime ) and Toru Tokushima create provocative, seafood-centric tasting menus, and Ippei Hanten a hidden six-seat counter devoted to Cantonese fine dining. After 9:00 p.m., the restaurant transforms into the more casual Ye Hong Kong, serving epic family-style feasts in two private rooms.

Looking to indulge your sweet tooth? Head to Azuki to Kouri , a stylish shaved ice spot specializing in fresh-fruit kakigori, or pick up one of Jerome Quilbeuf’s signature burnt Basque cheesecakes at the chef’s eponymous shop in Ginza’s new Exit Melsa. This summer, Quilbeuf will also roll out a second branch of his popular Spanish gastrobar, Gracia , in a larger space with terrace seating in Ichigaya.

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Former World Barista Champion Hide Izaki creates “the ultimate coffee break” with rare specialty brews, bespoke Japanese ceramics, and seasonal sweets prepared by restaurant Narisawa at Cokuun, which launches in early autumn. The experience marries coffee culture with elements of traditional tea ceremony and takes place inside a pod-like tea room, shaped like an iron pot, with seats for four guests.

A room at the new Ace Hotel Kyoto

The past two years have seen expansion in Kyoto’s luxury hotel space, starting with Kengo Kuma’s lattice-covered Ace Hotel and the elegant Hotel the Mitsui , a 161-room property built on the grounds of the Mitsui family’s centuries-old former residence opposite Nijo Castle. The recently opened The Shinmonzen in the historic Gion district blends the amenities of a Western boutique hotel with the hospitality and aesthetics of a traditional Japanese ryokan . Designed by Tadao Ando with interiors by Remi Tessier, the luxe nine-suite hotel features spacious rooms appointed with hinoki wood bath tubs and boasts an astounding collection of contemporary art. A restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten will launch in late autumn; in the meantime, staying guests can enjoy delightful dinners that make excellent use of organic produce from the mountains north of Kyoto, served in suite, and Provençal-inflected afternoon tea in the lounge overlooking the Shirakawa River.

Opening in August, Maana Kiyomizu offers a unique alternative to a conventional hotel. The handsome complex comprises three suites, a retail shop, and a café within a row of splendidly refurbished machiya townhouses. The light-filled suites come with tea sets, paper lanterns, and textiles from POJ Studio, a collective of artisans crafting modern pieces using traditional techniques.

On the food front, newcomers So Kawahagishi , which serves updated twists on izakaya classics like panko-crusted venison katsu (cutlets) with housemade marmalade, and Suba , a stylish standing soba bar where they make the noodles upstairs, stand out for excellent casual eats and a chilled-out vibe. While Kyoto is best known for traditional fare, creative cuisine is on the rise. Hidden inside the Ritz Carlton’s Italian restaurant Locanda, the six-seat Chef’s Table reflects Katsuhiko Inoue’s experiences working in Spain, South America, and at Tokyo’s Bulgari Il Ristorante Luca Fantin . Inoue prepares genre-blurring dishes beside a table covered with an elaborately constructed miniature moss garden.

A 90-minute drive from Kyoto on the shores of Lake Biwa, Benu alum Coleman Griffin takes inspiration from the landscape to craft innovative terroir-driven tasting menus at Sower , in a minimalist space designed by Teruhiro Yanagihara.

The Living Room bar at W Osaka

Osaka, which captured more than 46 percent of the 4.8 trillion yen spent by visitors to Japan in 2019, was hit hard by the lack of tourists. Although sluggish during the pandemic, development has picked up, meaning there is plenty for taking advantage of Japan reopening. Last year, the city welcomed the W Osaka , a dark monolith designed by Tadao Ando that opens onto an exuberant world of colorful design accented with modern Japanese detailing. The hotel’s six dining outlets—including trendy sushi restaurant Ukiyo; teppanyaki Mydo; and neobistro Oh.lala, overseen by La Cime’s Yusuke Takada—add to the allure.

The arts got a boost with the Nakanoshima Museum of Art , which opened in early February after nearly 30 years of planning. Housed in a boxy, five-story structure with a jet-black exterior (a popular look for new buildings in Osaka), the museum boasts one of Japan’s largest collections—more than 6,000 art pieces by modern masters such as Magritte, Dali, and Japanese artists like painter Jiro Yoshihara.

Osaka will always be the street-food capital of Japan, but new establishments are adding a touch of sophistication to the restaurant scene. Innovative chef Hiroyuki Kosuda worked at famed fusion temple Kahala for 20 years before breaking out on his own this year; with only five seats, his eponymous restaurant has become one of the city’s hardest to book. The brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Noguchi Taro, the specialty at Noguchi Taro Ramen is a steaming bowl of housemade noodles floating in an umami-dense shellfish broth, topped with sliced char siu and a truffle-scented fishcake. Wine enthusiasts will find much to love at Rilo Wine Lounge , a sleek and moody speakeasy-style spot (DM them on Instagram for the pass code) with an eye-watering collection of vintage champagne.

Hot pot at the new Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono

Japan’s ski haven and northernmost island, Hokkaido has been trending as an off-the-beaten-track destination for the past five years. But recent developments are turning it into a hub for luxury travel: Most of the ski resorts are concentrated around Niseko, which encompasses six areas surrounding towering Mount Yotei. In 2020, Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono unveiled a sprawling 100-room property with 11 restaurants, a soothing hot spring spa, and its own four-seat ski lifts. Nestled between Mount Yotei and Mount Annapurni on the Shiribetsu River, Raku Suisan ’s 18 ample rooms are equipped with baths filled with alkaline-rich water sourced directly from a natural hot spring. Anchored by a traditional Japanese irori fireplace, the resort’s inviting lounge features a cozy piano bar. Shiguchi is a new complex of five beautifully renovated Japanese farmhouses, each adorned with ceramics, paintings, and sculptures from the private collection of founder Shouya Grigg. Grigg’s photography is also on display, along with an ongoing exhibition of art and artifacts spanning the region’s history, including pottery from the Jomon period and work created by the indigenous Ainu, in the Somoza gallery nearby.

Farther afield in the Tokachi region, on the island’s southeastern side, Memu Earth Hotel ’s five villas are stunning examples of eco-friendly contemporary architecture set amid a wide-open pasture. Each house has a distinctive character; the white-clad Meme House reflects the light and blends into the scenery, while the Horizon House offers 360-degree panoramic views. The resort’s restaurant serves simple but elegant cuisine made with seasonal, local products in a former warehouse designed by architect Toya Ito.

A sandbar in Kerama Islands National Park, Okinawa

Looking for something warmer? With fewer new openings during the pandemic, the pace of life on Okinawa remains leisurely—but changes are afoot in Japan’s tropical paradise. Last summer, luxury group One Suite launched The Grand resort on secluded Kouri Island, accessible by car from the main island. The Grand’s trump card is its 114-meter Ocean View Panorama Suite, equipped with a jacuzzi on the 30-meter terrace and offering sweeping views of the East China Sea. Playful French fine dining is on the menu at the property’s La Bombance, an outpost of the Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo. Among the latest of star bartender Shingo Gokan’s ever-growing empire of watering holes, El Lequio exudes an island vibe with its kitschy-cool Tiki-bar décor and line-up of cocktails based on rum, tequila, and mezcal.

Located in Onna village, between the main island’s forested mountains and sea, the restaurant inside the brand-new Yumiha resort incorporates unique local ingredients—kokuto black sugar, shimadofu tofu, and Okinawan honey—into modern French preparations like perfectly roasted Agu pork with a sauce made from awamori, the island’s fiery distilled spirit: Staying guests can sample around 30 kinds (included in the price of accommodation) in the resort’s roomy suites.

This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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Japan Restores Visa-free Travel From October 11, 2022

The Japanese government has announced that restrictions on new entries of foreign nationals will be lifted, effective October 11, 2022 (midnight, Japan time). Foreign nationals will be allowed to visit Japan for tourism purposes without any limitations of purchasing through a travel agency or traveling as part of a guided tour. Visas are no longer required to enter Japan for short-term stays within 90 days.*

*Visa exemptions for short-term stays apply only if you are a citizen of an eligible country (including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico).  

All eligible passengers entering Japan with a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Those who do not meet vaccination requirements still need to present a negative COVID-19 test result before departure. Please click here for details. For the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Home Page, click here (Japanese page)

For the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Home Page, click here .

Information about travel requirements is subject to change at short notice by the issuing government authorities. Travelers should confirm requirements directly with the offices/websites of the place of origin/destination.

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Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap, Kishida says

Japan will allow visa-free, independent tourism and abolish its daily arrival cap as of Oct. 11, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday, marking a major policy shift after nearly 2½ years of strict COVID-19 restrictions.

Kishida made the long-awaited announcement during his visit to New York for the U.N. General Assembly .

“I hope many people will utilize them,” Kishida said at a news conference. "I want to support the travel, entertainment and other industries that have been struggling during the coronavirus pandemic."

The decision was hailed by the nation's top two airlines.

"We are extremely happy to see the long-awaited easing of restrictions," Shinichi Inoue, president of All Nippon Airways, the core unit of ANA Holdings, told reporters Friday. "We will increase flights from the end of October to welcome customers from abroad."

"The economic impact of inbound travelers before the COVID-19 pandemic is said to be roughly ¥5 trillion, and we are pinning great hopes that there will be economic effects of similar size," Inoue said, adding that the yen's sharp decline against the dollar "will definitely serve as an incentive" for foreign people to come to Japan.

He said it will lead to stimulating regional economies as well, as there are many people who want to travel to different areas of Japan.

Japan Airlines also welcomed the move, saying in a statement that the company will fully prepare to welcome visitors and contribute to revitalizing the Japanese economy.

Japan has been allowing tourists since June, starting with people on guided tours. On Sept. 7, the government allowed those on nonguided tours who had booked their flights and hotels through registered travel agencies.

But those measures have been unpopular with many foreign tourists who want greater freedom during their trips.

Tourists will need to be vaccinated three times or submit a negative COVID-19 test result ahead of their trip, Kyodo News reported, citing government sources.

A nationwide domestic travel program offering discounts for travel, entry to theme parks, and for sporting events and concerts is also set to start on Oct. 11. People who have been vaccinated three times or submit a negative test result will be eligible for the discounts, according to the report.

The program offers financial assistance of up to ¥11,000 ($77) per person for a one-night stay.

The moves will be welcomed by the nation’s tourism sector , which has been hit hard by the pandemic.

Travel agencies have been urging the government to waive the visa requirement for tourists, which has been a major hurdle for those wishing to come to Japan. In some cases, prospective tourists had to submit their visa application in person to the nearest embassy or consulate, while others did not get their visas in time for their travel plans.

In 2019, a record 31.88 million foreign travelers visited Japan , but the figure plummeted to about 250,000 in 2021 due to the closed borders .

The daily arrival cap has been raised gradually over the past six months, first to 5,000 on March 1 and eventually to the current 50,000.

Timeline of Japan’s COVID-19 border restrictions

Jan. 31, 2020: Japan bans the entry of foreign nationals arriving from China’s Hubei province, the first entry ban imposed due to the coronavirus. The ban was gradually expanded to 24 countries through the end of March.

April 1: Less than a month after the spread of COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, Japan halts entries into the country by foreign nationals, including foreign residents of Japan, from 49 countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and South Korea, bringing the total number up to 73 nations.

May 14: Japan expands its entry ban to cover a total of 100 countries and regions.

Aug. 28: The entry ban is expanded further to cover 159 countries and regions.

Sept. 1: Japan lifts ban on re-entry of foreign residents.

Oct. 1: Japan lifts its ban on entry by foreign nationals planning to relocate to the country.

Dec. 28: Japan again implements a ban on the entry of nonresident foreign nationals.

Jan. 14, 2021: Japan suspends a business-track travel program with some countries and mandates that all people arriving in the country quarantine at home for 14 days.

Nov. 8: Japan opens its borders to foreign students, interns and other business travelers.

Nov. 30: Japan bans the entry of nonresident foreign nationals after the discovery of the highly contagious omicron variant.

March 1, 2022: Japan allows foreign nationals arriving for purposes other than tourism to enter the country.

June 1: Japan raises daily arrival cap to 20,000.

June 10: Japan allows entry of foreign tourists on guided tours.

Sept. 7: Pre-arrival PCR tests are dropped for travelers who have received three shots of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Japan also raises the daily arrival cap to 50,000 and allows entry of foreign tourists on nonguided tours.

Oct. 11: Japan to allow entry of visa-free independent tourists and abolish the daily arrival cap.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

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Confirmed: independent tourists can visit Japan visa-free from October 11

Japan to reopen fully for tourism: visa-free entry and tourists no longer need to go through a travel agency

After more than two years of tight border restrictions, Japan will finally reopen to independent tourists on October 11. As reported by The Japan Times and Nikkei Asia , this full reopening means that tourists can visit the country without a visa and they no longer need to go through a travel agency. Plus, the daily entry cap will also be lifted entirely.

Japan's reopening for international tourism was a slow and cautious move. In June, the country began to accept tourists, provided that they visit the country as part of a guided package tour. Earlier this month, the restriction was further eased: tourists can travel to Japan without a guide but must still apply for a visa and book their flights and accommodation through a travel agency.

This full reopening, which takes effect on October 11, is a highly anticipated development for international tourists who have been waiting patiently to visit the country. And it comes at the right time, not just because of the weak yen, but also because of the coming autumn season, which traditionally has been a peak time for inbound travel.

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Japan set to announce restart of visa-free tourist travel

Limit on daily arrivals to be scrapped as country seeks economic boost

TOKYO -- Japan will drop a ban on individual tourist visits and remove a cap on daily arrivals, Nikkei has learned, moving closer to pre-pandemic rules as the country looks to ride a global travel rebound.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to announce the changes in the coming days.

Japan to allow visa-free individual tourists from Oct. 11

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Japan's Border Reopening on October 11th

From visas to vaccinations – we've got you covered

After what has felt like an eternity to many, Japan is set to open its borders for visa-free, independent travel as of October 11th. The entry cap, which was set at 50,000 people a day, will also be lifted at the same time.

There still are a few requirements that visitors will need to meet for entry, so if you're planning a trip in the near future be sure to stay up to date with the latest regulations.

Please note, while the information in this guide is correct at the time of writing, we always recommend referring to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the most up-to-date guidance.

Vaccinations

Travelers are still required to have three doses of an approved COVID vaccine, or submit the results of a negative PCR test before their visit (within 72 hours prior to departure). The list of approved vaccines can be found on Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

The proof of vaccination requirements are as follows:

• All relevant items described below should be listed on the certificate either in Japanese or English: Name, date of birth, product name or manufacturer of vaccines, vaccination date, and number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered. Please note that COVID-19 vaccination certificates in languages other than Japanese or English are considered as valid if the translation (Japanese/English) is attached and all the items listed above are clearly identifiable.
• The proof of vaccination certificate should be issued by an official body, such as a government.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website does note that mix and match doses are acceptable provided you've had three in total – i.e. you could have 2 x Moderna and 1 x Pfizer and you're considered as fully vaccinated with three doses.

For children, the rules are slightly different. Please refer to the table below.

Visa-free Travel

The list of countries with visa-free status can be found on Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. At the time of writing, there are 68 countries on the visa-free list, and citizens of those countries and regions receive 90 days of visa-free travel. Do note that from that list, the visa-free timeframe is shortened to 15 days for citizens of Indonesia and Thailand, 14 days for citizens of Brunei, and 30 days for citizens of the United Arab Emirates.

If your country does not feature on the visa-free travel list, you will still need to apply for a tourist visa via the usual channels.

To confirm, the Visa-free travel status means you no longer need to register your plans via a travel agency. In saying that, if you do want or need travel agent services, our team here at Japan Travel is always willing and able to assist. Details on how to contact our travel agents can be found on our tours page here.

Sayonara to quarantine

Japan will also be removing its quarantine requirement as of October 11th. Before that date, travelers from countries deemed as high-risk are required to take a test and quarantine depending their vaccination status.

Mask wearing

A number of questions came through from our followers on social media asking about mask wearing requirements and regulations. As many of you already know, Japan is no stranger to mask wearing – people here wore masks when ill well before the pandemic, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future. The suggestions on mask wearing can be found on the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare website.

To summarize from their site, at present:

• Wear a mask when meeting with the elderly or spending time in a hospital. Remove your mask if you do not need it outdoors, to prevent heatstroke in summer.
• When Outdoors: You do not need to wear a mask outdoors when you are approximately 2 meters apart from others, or when you are not talking at a distance of less than 2 meters.
• When Indoors: You do not need to wear a mask indoors when you are approximately 2 meters apart from others and when you are not talking.
• For Children: Children don’t need to wear masks at a distance of approximately 2 meters from others. All preschool children are not required to wear a mask.
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Japan will fully open the border on October 11 2022 by lifting visa requirement for foreigners and the limited entry cap a day

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced in New York on September 22 2022 that the government has decided to lift visa requirement for foreign visitors and the limited cap of entries a day and also begin accepting international individual travelers on October 11 2022. 

In addition, the government will also launch a nationwide travel discount program and a discount program for events, which had been shelved due to the spread of COVID-19 infections, on the same day.

The Japanese government has gradually eased the cap of entries to 20,000 a day with acceptance of tourism-purpose guided tours in June 2022 and to 50,000 a day with acceptance of tourism-purpose tours without guides in September. Visa requirement and complicated procedures, however, have discouraged foreign travelers to visit Japan. 

Open of FIT will also be a big opportunity to resume international visitors to Japan because the inbound travel market of Japan used to be propped up with free individual travels before the pandemic. 

Taking an advantage of weaker Yen, the government is trying to rebuild the tourism industry. 

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JRailPass.com » Japan Travel Blog » Japan to open to visa-free individual tourists from October 11

Japan to open to visa-free individual tourists from October 11

September 23, 2022

The Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, has announced that Japan is lifting the majority of its remaining COVID entry restrictions for tourists from October 11 .

Kishida revealed the long-awaited news during a press conference in New York on September 22. He confirmed that Japan will open its borders to individual tourists and resistate visa exemptions. The cap on 50.000 daily arrivals will also be lifted, he said.

At the New York Stock Exchange later that day, Kishida said that Japan “will relax border control measures to be on par with the US”. The announcement received rapturous applause from the audience.

Nevertheless, Japanese government sources confirmed that foreign tourists will still need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result for the time being (unless they have been fully vaccinated) before they can travel to Japan .

Package tour requirement to travel to Japan removed

The reopening will mark the first time that Japan will allow individual tourism in over 2 and a half years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country relaxed some of its strict restrictions against tourist entry in June 2022, when it began allowing foreign tourists to enter in limited numbers on a guided package tour.

In September, the Japanese government began allowing entry to tourists on non-guided tours who had booked their flights and hotels through registered travel agencies.

However, these moves did little to increase the number of tourist arrivals or revive Japan’s flagging tourism industry, as many foreign tourists were unhappy with the limited freedom of movement afforded to them.

The relaxation of restrictions also sees the reinstatement of visa exemption for 68 countries who can travel to Japan without a visa for up to 90 days. These travelers include nationals of the United States and all citizens of the European Union.

This announcement is great news for anyone who has been waiting years to travel to Japan visa-free without restrictions. You can now finally buy your JR Pass and start planning your trip around Japan!

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Japan set to resume visa-free tourist travel in October

A view of the domestic departure lobby of Tokyo’s Haneda airport on July 25, 2020. AFP FILE PHOTO

TOKYO – Japan is expected to lift a ban on individual tourist visa requirements and remove a limit on daily arrivals in October, as it aims to benefit from a rebound in global tourism, Nikkei reported Thursday.

Following the change, Japan will not require visas for short-term travelers from the United States and certain other countries, and will scrap the daily entry cap of 50,000 people, the media outlet said.

ST understands that Singapore will be one of the countries where tourists will not be required to have a visa to enter Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to announce the changes in the coming days, the report said.

With the yen languishing near a 24-year low against the dollar, owing to a hawkish US Federal Reserve, the Japanese government could benefit from capitalizing on the increased buying power of tourists by easing travel requirements, the report added.

Japan last week raised the daily ceiling of inbound travelers to 50,000 from 20,000. It eliminated a requirement for pre-departure Covid-19 tests, easing what has been among the most restrictive border measures among major economies.

Before the pandemic, Japan did not require tourist visas for 68 countries and regions.

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Japan to open for visa-free entry for all tourists with no daily arrival cap from 11 October 2022

If you ask any Singaporean which country they’re most eager to travel to right now , the answer might probably be Japan . News of Japan potentially opening its doors to free travel broke in September, with many wondering whether all travel restrictions, including the mandatory packaged tours and daily arrival cap, would be abolished.

Finally, that long-anticipated time has come — all tourists will be able to travel to Japan with visa-free entry from 11 October 2022 onwards.

Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, announced that Japan will be removing COVID-19 border controls , as well as the daily arrival cap, allowing visa-free entry to all individual visitors and foreign tourists . This comes after the news that pre-arrival PCR tests were scrapped for travellers with a valid vaccination certification (three doses of an approved vaccine).

If you’ve yet to make plans for the year-end holidays, here’s the perfect time to seize the opportunity to travel to one of our all-time favourite countries. We’ve missed the scenic sights and sounds of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, and more — all brimming with their own unique beauty and charm. You can also take advantage of Scoot’s direct flights and find yourself in Tokyo and Osaka in no time at all!

Personally, I can’t wait to feast on all the ramen , yakiniku , sushi , and authentic Japanese cuisine (also, a visit to Hokkaido’s Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho , better known as ‘Ramen Alley’, is long overdue). Travellers can also take advantage of Scoot’s daily flights and plan that trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

So if you’ve been eyeing tickets to Ghibli Park , which opens later this year, or are anticipating a visit to Warners Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo in 2023, it’s time to have a proper sit-down and start making those Japan travel dreams materialise!

For more lifestyle updates like this, subscribe to our Telegram channel at  @confirmgood .

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Japan set to lift visa requirements and daily arrival cap from October

Japan is expected to lift its visa requirements for tourists and remove the daily arrival cap from October, as it prepares for year-end visitors.

Earlier this week came news that Japan could lift its remaining restrictions on tourism, with a potential implementation date from October 2022 . This would involve removing the daily arrival cap, scrapping mandatory tourist visas, and allowing independent travel to resume. 

It looks like things are shaping up nicely indeed, with media reports that the daily arrival cap and visa requirement will soon be gone. 

Japan to scrap daily arrival cap and visa requirement

As per a report in Nikkei (paywalled, you can also read it on Straits Times ), Japan is expected to scrap its daily arrival cap and restore its visa waiver programme imminently. 

For context, Japan currently enforces a daily entry cap of 50,000 people , which was recently increased from 20,000. This isn’t a dedicated cap for tourists; it includes all types of travellers, even Japanese nationals. In any case, it’s safe to say that tourists aren’t putting much pressure on this cap, given the onerous requirements imposed on their visits. 

Another major barrier to travel is the mandatory visa requirement for tourists. Before the arrangement was suspended due to COVID-19, Japan allowed nationals from the following 68 countries and regions to visit for up to 90 days without the need for a visa. 

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to announce the removal of the arrival cap and restoration of visa-free travel in the coming days.

What’s not been explicitly stated is whether independent travel will be permitted, but the smart money points to yes. After all, the whole purpose of requiring a visa was so that travellers’ profiles and itineraries could be vetted. This task was outsourced to an approved tour agency, who would issue the ERFS required for a visa application. 

But if visas are no longer necessary, it seems that it would be a lot harder logistically to enforce the tour package rule. Stranger things have happened, I suppose, but I’d be very surprised if independent travel did not resume at the same time as the lifting of visa requirements. 

What are travel requirements expected to look like?

Japan has scrapped the requirement for a pre-departure COVID-19 test for all vaccinated travellers. As a reminder, Japan defines “fully vaccinated” as individuals who have received at least three jabs of the following vaccines:

• AstraZeneca
• Bharat Biotech
• Pfizer-BioNTech

Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccinations are not recognised. Travellers who have received such vaccinations are still required to produce a negative pre-departure PCR test result, taken within 72 hours of travel.

On-arrival measures depend on an individual’s travel history. Singapore is currently classified as a Blue List country , which does not require on-arrival testing or quarantine, regardless of vaccination status.

Visitors from Yellow or Red List countries may be required to take on-arrival tests or quarantine, depending on their vaccination status.

Yellow List

If your 14-day travel history cuts across various categories, the restrictions of the strictest one will apply. You can view the categorisation of countries here.

Japan looks set to scrap its daily arrival cap and visa requirement in the next few days, which would almost certainly mean that year-end travel is back on the cards. 

The airlines have been expecting this for a while now; Scoot plans to resume daily services to Sapporo from November, and Singapore Airlines is currently due to increase Haneda flights to 2x daily from November as well.

Fingers crossed!

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Checking of vaccination status by the airport airline staff again?

How about Philippines ? why other Asian Countries are Visa Free! why not Philippines too? how about individual travellers that dont need package tour and guide,because we live in Japan before as a resident and have a place to stay and family friends to visit especially in Tokyo that i always do visit almost 3x a year and do 90 days stay,,

Pre-covid, PH were not visa exempted. I doubt that will change

What about children who are not vaccinated?

Just need to do PCR if kids are not fully vaxxed.

Crossing fingers that they also lift the suspension of all short stay visas issued before 2020… I still have one year left on my multiple entry visa (two years eaten by pandemic ban)

what if booster shots are pfizer and moderna but first two shots are sinovac, is pre departure test still required?

per my understanding all 3 must be recognised vaccines.

Can you read? 3 shots of those vaccines. You’ve had 2. What do you think?

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Report: Japan’s Visa-Free Travel to Start in October

Japan's new travel rules are expected to start in October. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Japan is expected to make a formal announcement about new inbound travel rules in the coming days that will see the country move closer to a pre-COVID normal.

According to Nikkei , an official announcement from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected in the coming days, with the new rules taking effect in October.

The changes, which were reported by other news outlets including Reuters this week , include axing the visa requirement for short-term travelers from most countries including the U.S., and dropping the daily 50,000 people entry cap. The cap had previously been at 20,000 until Japan moved it up in September.

There will still be some requirements for travelers, according to Nikkei, which could include vaccination or testing requirements.

When the announcement is made, the change is expected to boost Japan’s struggling tourism industry, which has been held back by strict entry rules, including a near-full ban on new entries by foreigners that was imposed in 2021.

Tourists coming into Japan will be able to take advantage of a weakened yen, which has dropped to its lowest point, compared with the U.S. dollar, in almost 25 years.

The changes would be a significant boon for Japan, which had been struggling to bring back tourists in light of those rules, post-COVID.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of international travelers to Japan in June 2022 was 120,400, up more than 1,000% compared to 2021, but down 95% over 2019.

Japan’s high point for tourism since 2018 came in June 2019, a month when the country had 991,189 international visitors.

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Japan Looks to Resume Visa Waiver For Some Countries From October

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

September 15th, 2022 at 5:18 AM EDT

As Japan learns to live with the virus, the government has indicated plans to ease all travel restrictions in the “not-so-distant future,” which according to the local media could be as early as next month.

The relaxation in entry restrictions would entail putting an end to the entry ban on independent tourists, removing the daily arrival cap and restoring the pre-pandemic visa waiver for short-term visitors from 68 countries, including the U.S.

Announcing the government’s intention to relax restrictions, Seiji Kihara, the deputy chief cabinet secretary, had said this week that Japan should not fall behind other destinations in attracting foreign tourists.

Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has also talked about strengthening Japan’s earning power by taking advantage of the yen’s weakness , which is currently at a 24-year low against the dollar.

A weak yen would make the country an attractive destination for foreign travelers.

Japan recently raised the daily arrival cap of inbound tourists to 50,000 from 20,000. However, even this increment is only around 45 percent of the pre-pandemic daily average arrival of 140,000 travelers.

Earlier this month, the Japanese government removed mandatory pre-arrival Covid tests for visitors, provided they are able to submit proof of being vaccinated thrice. It has also scrapped the requirement for guides on group tours.

While Japan has been easing restrictions in a phased manner even since it reopened to foreign tourists in June, travelers are still required to apply for a short-term visa and need to enter the country as part of approved package tours through a recognized travel agency.

Tags: asia monthly , coronavirus recovery , japan , package holidays , visa waiver