Japan has been closed to tourists since the beginning of the pandemic, and for a long time, there was no sign of the country reopening for tourism purposes. This left many people frustrated and wondering if they’ll ever be able to travel to Japan again. Fortunately, things seem to be looking up. Japan has plans to reopen to tourists starting June 10, 2022. But before you make travel plans, there are some rules and restrictions that you should know about, including whether or not you’ll need to be vaccinated to enter the country.
When Exactly is Japan Reopening to Tourists?
Japan will be reopening to tourists starting June 10, 2022. This is the first time the country will reopen for tourism in nearly two years. To ease back into allowing tourists into the country, the number of authorized daily arrivals will be increased from 10,000 to 20,000, and tourists can only enter if they have booked a guided package tour.
Can I Travel to Japan If I’m Not on a Guided Tour?
You will only be able to enter Japan for tourism purposes if you are part of a guided tour group. A tour guide must escort the tour, and each tour group will be limited to a small number of people. If you want to travel to Japan without a guided tour, as of May 31, 2022, you will not be able to do so. There’s no timeframe as to when these restrictions will be lifted.
What Are the Entry Requirements For Japan Once it Reopens?
Travelers from nearly 100 countries will be able to enter Japan starting on June 10, 2022. Though, depending on what color group your country is in, you will have different rules and restrictions to follow. There are three colored groups, including the “blue group,” “yellow group,” and “red group.”
Those coming from countries in the “blue group” will be able to enter Japan without being vaccinated, without showing a negative PCR test, and without having to quarantine on arrival.
Anyone from countries in the “yellow group” will be able to enter if they can show proof of vaccination, or, if they aren’t vaccinated, they’ll need to show a negative COVID test and will need to quarantine on arrival.
Finally, those coming from “red group” countries will have to quarantine on arrival.
How Do I Know What Color Group My Country is In?
Some countries in the “blue group” include:
- The United States
- The United Kingdom
- Canada
- Germany
- Italy
Some countries in the “yellow group” include:
- Belize
- Bahamas
- Haiti
- Turkey
- Uruguay
Some of the countries in the “red group” include:
- Albania
- Fiji
- Pakistan
You can see the complete list of countries in each color group by going here.
What’s the Current Status of COVID in Japan?
According to Our World in Data, the total number of cases of COVID in Japan since the beginning of the pandemic is 8.82 million. The total number of COVID deaths in Japan is 30,580. Coronavirus case numbers have been steadily declining since February and will hopefully continue to trend this way in the upcoming months.
Do I Need a Passport or Visa to Enter Japan For Tourism Purposes?
If you plan to visit Japan for tourism purposes, you will need to obtain a passport. If you are already a US passport holder, you will not need to obtain a Japan visa for short-term stays of less than 90 days. If you have any questions about obtaining a passport or visa for Japan, please contact us for more information.
If you plan to travel to Japan and need a passport or visa for your trip, you can get the process started on the Swift website. If you have any questions about obtaining a passport or visa, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’d be happy to help! As always, no matter where you plan on going, we’ll get you there!
