Japan will remove all border restrictions on 11 October 2022, including the daily arrivals cap and requirement for international travellers to apply for tourist visas, after recent speculation and a gradual reopening process for overseas visitors.
Individual visitors will be allowed to enter the country and Japan will reinstate visa waivers, allowing travellers from countries such as Australia, the UK and the US to receive a visa on arrival.
Triple-vaccinated travellers do not need to test before travelling or on arrival however, unvaccinated travellers will still need to provide proof of a negative test before departure.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the update at a New York news conference and the easing of Japan’s final border restrictions comes in an attempt to fully open to international tourism in time for the ‘Koyo’ autumn leaf season and aid a lagging Japanese economy.
The announcement follows recent comments by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara that the government would review restrictions and remove them in the “not-so-distant future”.
Inside Travel Group and InsideJapan Tours Co-Founder Simon King has welcomed the news as one of the first tour operators to reintroduce small-group tours in late August.
InsideJapan saw a massive increase in enquiries and bookings after the previous announcements with tour bookings exceeding the same month in 2019. Web traffic also saw an impressive 250 per cent increase on August 2019.
“After two and a half years of various restrictions, Japan is now fully open to tourists without the hassle of visas. For our customers and agents, this removes the final barrier to travel and any uncertainty around travel, allowing them to plan and look forward to their trips,” he said.
“Despite being one of the last few countries in the world to keep restrictions in place, Japan really is very keen to welcome visitors again.
“Our recent customer feedback has shown that the welcome they received from ryokan owners, restauranteurs and locals alike has been incredible. Japan really does not disappoint.”
