Japan is Fully Reopening to Tourists!

Japan
Holidays to Japan are back! Photo: David Edelstein on Unsplash.

The wait for Japan to reopen its border to independent tourists is almost over with the country set to remove its strict COVID-19 entry restrictions on 11 October 2022, Japanese media is reporting.

From 11 October, the daily international arrival cap and visa requirements for overseas tourists will be lifted. The requirement for tourists entering Japan to book through a travel agency will also be removed.

PCR tests are no longer required before departure for tourists entering Japan who’ve received at least three COVID-19 vaccine doses.

This is welcome news for travellers. Although tourists have theoretically been allowed to enter Japan since June, the reopening has been gradual. Initially, only a limited number of international tourists from certain countries were allowed to enter – and only when travelling on an escorted tour organised by a Japanese travel agent. This requirement was very restrictive and put off a lot of would-be tourists.

Earlier this month, the Japanese government removed the requirement for international tourists to travel on an escorted package tour, but the need to book a tour through a travel agency remained. Some Australians were unable to contact Japanese travel agencies who were largely overwhelmed with the demand.

The Japanese government is hoping the expected increase in tourism will boost Japan’s struggling economy. Like many countries, Japan closed its border to international visitors in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. But it has been one of the last major countries to reopen.

Many flights from Haneda Airport were cancelled in March 2020 after Japan closed its border
Many flights from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport were cancelled in March 2020 after Japan closed its border. Photo: Matt Graham.

The reopening of Japan’s international border also makes transits between Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports possible again. Currently, foreigners cannot technically make such connections because this requires entry into Japan.

After many foreign passengers were denied boarding due to booking an unworkable connection between Haneda and Narita, Japan Airlines temporarily increased the minimum connection time in July for transits between the two airports from 3.5 hours to 24 hours.

In exquisite timing, Qantas just restarted services between Sydney and Tokyo last week. Qantas’ Airbus A330-300 flights from Sydney to Haneda (QF25/26) are currently operating only three times per week, but will increase to daily from the end of October.

Qantas is currently scheduling a resumption of Brisbane-Tokyo flights, with services operating into Haneda Airport three times per week, from December 2022. Melbourne-Haneda flights are due to resume in March 2023.

Jetstar restarted its flights to Japan in July, while All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have maintained flights to/from Australia throughout the pandemic.

Flights are expected to be in high demand as Australians flock back to Japan – especially over Christmas and New Year during the country’s ski season.

Taiwan and Hong Kong also reopening

Just two days after Japan reopens to tourists, Taiwan is expected to remove quarantine requirements for inbound arrivals. It’s also removing visa requirements for overseas tourists.

Hong Kong, too, is in the processing of removing mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival. However, a 7-day “self monitoring” requirement may remain.

Cathay Pacific A350, Japan Airlines 767 and a Condor 767 at Vancouver Airport
The reopening of Hong Kong and Japan’s borders will be welcome news for airlines like Cathay Pacific and JAL. Photo: Matt Graham.

Mainland China will soon be one of the last countries with borders still closed to international tourists due to COVID-19.

 

Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Japan Tourism for independent travellers

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
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According to TPG Japan isn’t a realistic option until Spring 2023
I think that’s realistic

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According to TPG Japan isn’t a realistic option until Spring 2023
I think that’s realistic

I think I will leave Japan to 2024.

Reply 1 Like

The situation in Japan for travellers like us is still unclear. At present they are allowing Test group travel. groups are 4 people and a guide. basically limited to TAs.

If this is successful they will open to more tour groups from June 10. No word at all in the latest announcements as to when independent travel will be allowed but unlikely before their July election.

The paperwork though is going to be a nightmare. Australia will be in Group Yellow so as long as a valid vaccination certificate - 3 doses then no on arrival test or quarantine.

However you do need a pre arrival test. And a simple RAT test will not suffice.
You still also need to submit a certificate of eligibility to enter Japan From June 10th it does say only tourists arranged by TAs.

This link explains it.
2) Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a short-term stay for tourism (only when a travel agency among others organizing the trip serves as the receiving organization of the entrants) (note)

However we have decided it is all to hard and our plans to travel to Japan have been pushed back to October 2023 with a back up plan of March 24.

I’m the same. All too hard. Cancelled my Sept trip to Japan last night. Amazingly the QF award points were refunded within 2 hours.

Reply 3 Likes

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What are the current requirements for same airport transits via Japan?

I haven't had much luck finding a link that sets it out clearly.

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What are the current requirements for same airport transits via Japan?

I haven't had much luck finding a link that sets it out clearly.

You have to stay in the terminal. Will only change most likely when independent travellers allowed in. First reports are that formalities are taking 2 hours to complete on arrival.

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What are the current requirements for same airport transits via Japan?

I haven't had much luck finding a link that sets it out clearly.

As I understand it, there are no pre flight tests necessary for transit. You cannot go land side and at HND the transit hotel is closed. You can sleep overnight on the benches, apparently a lot of people do, however NRT closes at night so that’s not an option. You cannot transfer from NRT to HND as that would involve entering the country.

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You have to stay in the terminal.

Thanks, yes that much I did know. Must remain air-side, but I believe an airside terminal change is OK? I'm trying to find some clear instructions from preferably a JP Govt site confirming whether pre-departure PCR's/Supervised RATs etc are required for this scenario.

I've got 3-4hr transits at Haneda both ways to and from the US, so fortunately it doesn't involve a problematic change of airport. All flights are JAL on the one itinerary.

As I understand it, there are no pre flight tests necessary for transit.

Yes I have heard that also, but struggling to find something definitive from an official source.

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If your flights are Intl>Intl transit on JAL, is there a need to change terminals?

According to this: International to International | Use Connecting Flights | Flights | Haneda Airport Passenger Terminal

"For the time being, some operations have been changed as of April 11 as follows.
・ All international flights depart and arrive from Terminal 3"

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Customers Connecting in Japan between International Flights​

Travelers who are not entering Japan and transferring directly to a third country by transit, are not required to submit any documents and undergo inspections in Japan. Nonetheless, travelers are still subject to the travel/entry restrictions and requirements of their final destination.
However, the following cases require entry into Japan. Please be informed that foreign nationals arriving from prohibited countries will not be allowed to enter Japan.

  • Transferring between Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) and Narita International Airport
  • Travelers with a connecting flight out of Narita International Airport the following day

Source : https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/topics/coronavirus-travel-information/immigration/

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Customers Connecting in Japan between International Flights​

Source : https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/topics/coronavirus-travel-information/immigration/

Thanks that should be useful. I'm trying to plan for the possibility of a misinformed check-in person in Sydney (incorrectly) insisting on JP entry requirements/documentation! I'll print that page off and have it handy just in case that should occur.

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