Japan is Finally Open To The World: What To Expect!

Japan, one of the world’s last significant holdouts throughout the pandemic, is dismantling its Covid-19 restrictions and resuming mass tourism. Japan is finally open to the world and will reopen its borders to independent foreign travelers after nearly three years, which many believe could stimulate the economy and accelerate its post-pandemic recovery. 

Since this stage has been reached through gradual steps, it can be difficult for those outside Japan. Many have lost work or school opportunities, struggled to maintain long-distance relationships, or could not enjoy a culture they love to determine how open the country will become. 

Even though japan is finally open to the world. Here are the answers to the most critical questions that would-be tourists and other arrivals should ask as they prepare for a trip to Japan by dusting off their suitcases and opening their phrasebooks. 

How Democratic Will The Nation Become? 

Because Japan’s border was first closed to arrivals from countries most affected by the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020, it prolonged a ban on arrivals from 159 countries and regions by late August that year. False dawns and U-turns have marked Japan’s reopening.

Due to the spread of the contagious omicron variant, a previous attempt to loosen border restrictions last year failed. This year, the door to international arrivals began slowly opening, first to business travelers, students, and those arriving on compassionate grounds, such as to attend a wedding or funeral in March. And then to tourists on guided tours beginning in June; Japan is finally open to the world.

Japan will lift its daily limit of 50,000 entries and resume visa-free travel for people traveling from any of the 68 countries formerly exempt from short-term visa requirements. Travelers from countries not included on the visa exemption list are still subject to the same entry regulations as before the outbreak. 

Should I Book A Guided Tour? 

The response is no. Beginning in June, visitors to Japan were required to do so as part of a guided trip. Many passengers objected to the constraints this imposed on their freedom of movement. some social media users compared the measures to those of North Korea. Which employs a similar system for foreign visitors; consequently, participation was limited. 

Beginning in early September, the government let passengers on so-called self-guided tours that needed arrivals book their flights and lodging through registered travel firms. Then, agencies might act as sponsors, monitoring the whereabouts of particular passengers, pushing them to adhere to local antiviral rules — such as frequent hand-washing and mask use — and providing help in the event of coronavirus infection in Japan. 

Japan is finally open to the world, and the requirement to participate in guided or unguided tours will no longer exist. The government is hoping for an influx of independent tourists, looking to take advantage of the weaker yen as they travel throughout the country. — will assist local tourism industries suffering from an extended period of near-total isolation. 

However, there is some issue that the benefits of tourism-related economic recovery will be limited by a lack of Chinese tourists, who contributes a large proportion of Japan’s visitors but are currently prohibited from traveling abroad due to China’s continued adherence to its “COVID zero” policy. 

Do I Need To Quarantine?

In principle, travelers will no longer be compelled to isolate upon arrival. Allowing them to roam freely unless diagnosed with coronavirus after arrival in Japan. Suppose a traveler to Japan suspects they may have contracted COVID-19 after their arrival.

In that case, the government advises calling the Japan Visitor Hotline at 050-3816-2787 for an over-the-phone consultation. A health expert will assess the severity of the case and provide recommendations for the next steps. The language options for this service include Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. 

Do I Need Vaccination To Enter? 

Once you are in Japan, a COVID-19 exam is no longer required. Japan is finally open to the world! And to be eligible for entry, you must meet one of the two following conditions: 

Get a certificate proving you have received at least three doses of a World Health Organization-recognized vaccine (WHO). An official organization such as a government agency must issue the documents. A Japanese or English translation should be available if it was originally written in another language. 

Provide a certificate verifying the negative result of a COVID-19 test administered 72 hours before departure from your country of origin for Japan. 

In both cases, travelers must fill out a pre-arrival COVID-19 questionnaire. The government recommends they complete online using their “Fast Track” service. It is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indonesian. Besides, here’s one of the best travel apps like MySOS, which you can install on your smartphone by scanning a QR code or following a link. 

Should I Wear A Face Mask? 

As a general rule, yes. The problem is complex. Despite the government’s repeated requests for the public to remove their face masks outdoors. The vast majority of Japanese people continue to wear masks outdoors. Even in situations where it may not be essential for foreigners. 

The government anticipates to alter the law to permit hoteliers to refuse access to anyone not wearing a mask. Until an increase in cases throughout the summer momentarily made Japan with the most significant number of daily cases. The country’s infection rate remained relatively low in contrast to that of other nations. Many Japanese ascribe this partially to the widespread usage of masks during the pandemic. 

While some Japanese individuals may not wear a face mask in public. Several cultural factors, including some attitudes toward foreign nationals, make it advisable for visitors to wear a mask in public situations. Such as when cruising crowded trains and buses and accessing hotels and restaurants, if only to avert discomfort to others. Hence, Japan is finally open to the world.