Can I now travel to Japan? February 20, 2022
Because of the Omicron version, Japan has once again restricted all foreign visitors, including business and student visitors. Here you will find information about travel restrictions and outbreak information
Situation Synopsis
- Japan said on November 29 that due to the Omicron version, all international visitors are barred from entering the country. This covers both professionals and students.
- The Omicron wave appears to be reaching its apex in Japan.
- Vaccinations have been given to practically everyone who requests one, and 80 percent of Japanese people have received two doses.
- Japan is still inaccessible to tourists for the time being, but it will reopen in the future. It’s time to start thinking about a trip to Japan.
- The Omicron wave in Japan appears to be peaking and appears to be following the “steep up-steep down” pattern found in other countries.
And, perhaps most crucially, we are witnessing a rapid shift in the narrative surrounding Covid around the world. England, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland have declared that practically all of their limitations will be lifted. Other countries will most likely follow suit.
Perhaps more importantly, the WHO has advocated for the abolition of international travel restrictions. The new highly transmissible Omicron variety has demonstrated the futility of such tactics.
There is a trend in Japan to treat Covid-19 as if it were a seasonal flu.
This would be consistent with some European countries, as well as the United States, where there is a growing recognition that Covid-19 will become endemic and we will have to learn to live with it.
Hopefully, as this understanding spreads, Japan will open its borders.
The fundamental question for Japan travel is this: Will Japan react quickly enough to open the country to travelers by the late March cherry blossom season, based on the aforesaid changes?
A March opening has a 25% likelihood, and an April opening has a 50% chance. If we don’t get some truly good news from the Japanese government by mid-February, it might be best to plan for a May or June opening.
Whatever you decide, I recommend that you be prepared to be adaptable. Check the cancellation and rescheduling fees, and have a backup plan ready.
A March opening has a 25% likelihood, and an April opening has a 50% chance.
If we don’t get some truly good news from the Japanese government by mid-February, it might be best to plan for a May or June opening.
Whatever you decide, I recommend that you be prepared to be adaptable. Check the cancellation and rescheduling fees, and have a backup plan ready.
Is Japan Now Open for Business?
Almost all foreign nationals are currently barred from entering Japan. Returning foreign residents are allowed to enter, but must first obtain authorization from a Japanese consulate or embassy.
Furthermore, special exceptions will be given for Japanese nationals’ children and spouses, but you must request in advance at a Japanese embassy or consulate.
Foreign visitors are still forbidden from entering Japan.
What documents will you need to enter Japan after it reopens?
Although Japan has not formally indicated how and when it would reopen to tourists, we may make educated guesses based on how they have reopened to foreign residents and business people.
Based on this information, you can begin to make prudent preparations for the eventual reopening of Japan’s doors. Here are a few highlights:
- A negative COVID test is almost certainly required within 72 hours of boarding your journey to Japan. When you check-in for your flight, you will almost probably be requested to produce proof of this, and you will be required to show it to Japanese immigration upon arrival.
At the current time, two tests are acceptable: the PCR test and the CLEIA quantitative antigen test. You may start looking into where you can get such a test on this schedule, including airports that offer such services.
- While in Japan, you will almost certainly be asked to install a monitoring app on your phone. Japan looks to be using the LINE chatting software. You may always install it now to be prepared.
- When it comes to COVID-related concerns, the Japanese government’s webpages are confused and conflicting. To get the most up-to-date information, contact your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate.
- We are unsure whether Japan will require confirmation of COVID vaccination in order to enter the country. We will keep you updated on the situation.
- If the worst happens, you want to be certain that your travel insurance policy will cover COVID treatment.
We will continue to keep a careful eye on developments around the opening. We will post the details as soon as Japan releases them.
Check back frequently as we seek to provide complete information on entrance requirements, application procedures, and actual experiences with entering Japan.
Flights to Japan are currently in service
Here are the cities with direct flights to Japan, as well as the airlines that fly them.
The majority of planes arrive in Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), however a few flights from Asia also arrive in Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto). The majority of flights here are not daily, but only a few times per week.
Due to travel limitations, this information is now only relevant to Japanese citizens and permanent residents. We anticipate that this scenario will change soon, and we will provide updates on Mondays.
Coronavirus Information from Japan
According to the Japan COVID-19 Tracker, Japan was seeing roughly 100,000 new cases each day at the time of writing.
In Japan, there have been approximately 24,000 incidents per million persons.
The Omicron wave appears to be peaking, and we expect the numbers to diminish fast, as they have in other Northern Hemisphere countries.
Visa and Travel Restrictions Pages from the Japanese Government
The three Japanese government websites listed below provide information on current Japan visa and travel restrictions.
JNTO Coronavirus and Travel Page
Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Visa and Travel Restriction Page
MOFA Phased Business Travel Reopening Page
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