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Japan Travel News (Latest Update)

A summary of entry requirements for foreign national tourists:

Japan is now OPEN for tourists

Some COVID requirements are still in place.
General individual tourism has resumed since 11 October 2022.

*** Updated: 26th November 2022 ***

BREAKING NEWS!

The date for the resumption of visa-free travel to Japan has just been confirmed:

11 October 2022!

Since that date, travel to Japan has reverted to pre-pandemic conditions with the only exception being that non-vaccinated tourists (or tourists with fewer than 3 COVID vaccinations) need to take a PCR test 72 prior to departure to Japan (and the test result must be negative). More details below:

Entry Requirements since 11 October 2022:

  • Visas: Pre-pandemic Visa exemption arrangements are back in place, meaning that many nationals do not require tourist visa application prior to departure.  This currently includes visitors from 68 countries including USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, EU countries, some Latin America …  For a full list please visit the Japanese Government website: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html
  • COVID requirements: to enter Japan you must either have proof of receiving 3 doses of a WHO-approved vaccine (current list: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/border_vaccine.html) or proof of a negative result of a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours (test certificate format: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/border_test.html) prior to your departure to Japan.
  • Visit Japan Web Service (Entry QR Codes): To ensure a smooth entry into Japan, visitors are urged to use the Visit Japan Web service.  It is not mandatory, however it does enable a much faster and smoother arrivals process as it combines COVID-19 certificates, immigration documents and customs declarations into a cellphone/mobile phone QR code which can be shown at the airport: https://www.digital.go.jp/en/services/visit_japan_web-en/
  • Travel insurance: Tourists should purchase travel insurance that covers them for COVID-19 related illness. They must also, throughout their stay in Japan, adhere to the COVID behavorial rules as outlined by the Japanese travel agent (mask wearing, social distancing etc.)
  • Discontinued App: The MySOS (Health and Location Monitoring App) is no longer being used (use Visit Japan Web Service instead) 
  • No more quarantine requirements or colour-coded country separation
  • No more cap on daily entrants into Japan

*** OLDER POSTS ***

Entry Requirements 7 September – 10 October 2022:

  • Foreign tourists for short-term stays (less than 3 months) can apply for visas to enter Japan
  • You must apply for a short-term tourist visa at your Japanese Embassy / Consulate prior to departure for Japan.  The usual Visa Exemption Arrangements have been suspended for the time being i.e. “Visa on Arrival” arrangements are not possible at this time) 
  • Tourists must be on an approved package tour (currently no individual / general tourism is allowed).  They must get an invitation from a Japanese travel agency and receive an ERFS (Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System) registration certificate.  NEW: From 7th September 2022, these package tours no longer need to be fully escorted (but tourists must still book some elements of their trip through a Japanese agent)
  • Tourists must purchase travel insurance that covers them for COVID-19 related illness. They must also, throughout their stay in Japan, adhere to the COVID behavorial rules as outlined by the Japanese travel agent (mask wearing, social distancing etc.)
  • From 7th September 2022, fully-vaccinated tourists (triple vaccinated) do not need any pre-departure PCR test. Other tourists require a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to their departure for Japan. 
  • All tourists must also a download mobile phone application that enables health tracking and contact tracing (and also allows Fast Track immigration procedures):
    • MySOS: Health and Location Monitoring App 
  • Tourists can use the Visit Japan Web web service for quarantine, immigration and customs procedures.  This allows faster customs procedures upon arrival in Japan (for example, you can input your negative PCR test certificate into electronic format).
  • Arrival countries are separated into three groups: BLUE, YELLOW, RED (full list of countries: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html )
    • BLUE (for both fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated travellers): “On-arrival test” not required, quarantine not required.  Current blue countries: Most of Western Europe, some Eastern Europe; USA/Canada; Australia/New Zealand; most of Asia; most of South America; some African countries
    • YELLOW (If fully vaccinated): “On-arrival test” not required, quarantine not required
    • YELLOW (If not fully vaccinated): “On-arrival test” required, 3 day home self-isolation quarantine required
    • RED: (for both fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated travellers): “On-arrival test” required, 3 day home self-isolation quarantine required
  • From 7th September, the cap of daily entrants into Japan is increased from 20,000 to 50,000 people
*Disclaimer: This information is updated as often as possible.  It may not totally accurately reflect the exact Japan border control situation; please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Consular Services) website for official information.

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