Japan Tourism for independent travellers

[drron]

The situation in Japan for travellers like us is still unclear. At present they are allowing Test group travel. groups are 4 people and a guide. basically limited to TAs.

Japan begins trial to allow in small foreign tour groups

First U.S. tourists land, with more from Singapore, Thailand, Australia expected

asia.nikkei.com

Confirmed: Japan to accept foreign tourists on group tours from June 10

Package tour groups will pave the way for a full resumption of tourism

www.timeout.com

If this is successful they will open to more tour groups from June 10. No word at all in the latest announcements as to when independent travel will be allowed but unlikely before their July election.

The paperwork though is going to be a nightmare. Australia will be in Group Yellow so as long as a valid vaccination certificate - 3 doses then no on arrival test or quarantine.

COVID-19: Current Japanese Border Measures

This site summarizes Japan's border measures for enter to Japan, including required documentation, quarantine measures, and behavioral restrictions such as isolation after entry. It also introduces

www.mhlw.go.jp

However you do need a pre arrival test. And a simple RAT test will not suffice.
You still also need to submit a certificate of eligibility to enter Japan From June 10th it does say only tourists arranged by TAs.

2) Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a short-term stay for tourism (only when a travel agency among others organizing the trip serves as the receiving organization of the entrants) (note)

This link explains it.
2) Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a short-term stay for tourism (only when a travel agency among others organizing the trip serves as the receiving organization of the entrants) (note)

However we have decided it is all to hard and our plans to travel to Japan have been pushed back to October 2023 with a back up plan of March 24.

 

[Princess Fiona]

According to TPG Japan isn’t a realistic option until Spring 2023
I think that’s realistic

 

[lovetravellingoz]

According to TPG Japan isn’t a realistic option until Spring 2023
I think that’s realistic

I think I will leave Japan to 2024.

 

[Guvner]

The situation in Japan for travellers like us is still unclear. At present they are allowing Test group travel. groups are 4 people and a guide. basically limited to TAs.

Japan begins trial to allow in small foreign tour groups

First U.S. tourists land, with more from Singapore, Thailand, Australia expected

asia.nikkei.com

Confirmed: Japan to accept foreign tourists on group tours from June 10

Package tour groups will pave the way for a full resumption of tourism

www.timeout.com

If this is successful they will open to more tour groups from June 10. No word at all in the latest announcements as to when independent travel will be allowed but unlikely before their July election.

The paperwork though is going to be a nightmare. Australia will be in Group Yellow so as long as a valid vaccination certificate - 3 doses then no on arrival test or quarantine.

COVID-19: Current Japanese Border Measures

This site summarizes Japan's border measures for enter to Japan, including required documentation, quarantine measures, and behavioral restrictions such as isolation after entry. It also introduces

www.mhlw.go.jp

However you do need a pre arrival test. And a simple RAT test will not suffice.
You still also need to submit a certificate of eligibility to enter Japan From June 10th it does say only tourists arranged by TAs.


This link explains it.
2) Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a short-term stay for tourism (only when a travel agency among others organizing the trip serves as the receiving organization of the entrants) (note)

However we have decided it is all to hard and our plans to travel to Japan have been pushed back to October 2023 with a back up plan of March 24.

I’m the same. All too hard. Cancelled my Sept trip to Japan last night. Amazingly the QF award points were refunded within 2 hours.

 

[offshore171]

What are the current requirements for same airport transits via Japan?

I haven't had much luck finding a link that sets it out clearly.

 

[drron]

What are the current requirements for same airport transits via Japan?

I haven't had much luck finding a link that sets it out clearly.

You have to stay in the terminal. Will only change most likely when independent travellers allowed in. First reports are that formalities are taking 2 hours to complete on arrival.

Tests, chaperones, little free time: First tourists visit Japan - but is it worth the hassle?

For the first time in two-plus years, tourists are coming back to Japan. The few allowed in under a trial program were subject to tight hygiene measures and closely monitored, giving a glimpse of what visiting will be like after next month's limited border reopening.

www.traveller.com.au

 

[kelvedon]

What are the current requirements for same airport transits via Japan?

I haven't had much luck finding a link that sets it out clearly.

As I understand it, there are no pre flight tests necessary for transit. You cannot go land side and at HND the transit hotel is closed. You can sleep overnight on the benches, apparently a lot of people do, however NRT closes at night so that’s not an option. You cannot transfer from NRT to HND as that would involve entering the country.

https://www.ana.co.jp/asw/topinfo/info_branch_g.jsp?infoID=vn_e20200501133159&info_tool_flag=1

 

[offshore171]

You have to stay in the terminal.

Thanks, yes that much I did know. Must remain air-side, but I believe an airside terminal change is OK? I'm trying to find some clear instructions from preferably a JP Govt site confirming whether pre-departure PCR's/Supervised RATs etc are required for this scenario.

I've got 3-4hr transits at Haneda both ways to and from the US, so fortunately it doesn't involve a problematic change of airport. All flights are JAL on the one itinerary.

As I understand it, there are no pre flight tests necessary for transit.

Yes I have heard that also, but struggling to find something definitive from an official source.

 

[Guvner]

If your flights are Intl>Intl transit on JAL, is there a need to change terminals?

According to this: International to International | Use Connecting Flights | Flights | Haneda Airport Passenger Terminal

"For the time being, some operations have been changed as of April 11 as follows.
・ All international flights depart and arrive from Terminal 3"

 

[kelvedon]

Customers Connecting in Japan between International Flights​

Travelers who are not entering Japan and transferring directly to a third country by transit, are not required to submit any documents and undergo inspections in Japan. Nonetheless, travelers are still subject to the travel/entry restrictions and requirements of their final destination.
However, the following cases require entry into Japan. Please be informed that foreign nationals arriving from prohibited countries will not be allowed to enter Japan.

• Transferring between Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) and Narita International Airport
• Travelers with a connecting flight out of Narita International Airport the following day

Source : https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/topics/coronavirus-travel-information/immigration/

 

[offshore171]

Customers Connecting in Japan between International Flights​

Source : https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/topics/coronavirus-travel-information/immigration/

Thanks that should be useful. I'm trying to plan for the possibility of a misinformed check-in person in Sydney (incorrectly) insisting on JP entry requirements/documentation! I'll print that page off and have it handy just in case that should occur.

 

[offshore171]

If your flights are Intl>Intl transit on JAL, is there a need to change terminals?

At this stage no, but everything seems to be subject to unexpected changes these days. I'm dreading one of those "your flights have changed" emails!

 

[VPS]

So my flight in November transferring from Narita to Haneda is at risk then.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Geez by November it should be OK !!

 

[pyffii]

Some reports suggest Japan wont be open to all tourists until the spring of 2023

 

[drron]

New guidelines were issued today for the group tours. can't imagine they will be very popular.
Masks to be worn at all times.
A tour guide present at all times who will monitor mask use.
Only allowed on a predetermined itinerary organised by a Japanese travel agency.
Plus insurance for covid.

Travel Alerts and Disaster Updates

Travel alerts and disaster updates for Travelers in Japan.

www.japan-guide.com

 

[drron]

The reopening of Japan has taken another hit. This is why.


Record number of cases. And a message for all those TV pundits who say we can stop this happening with a mask mandate. in Japan the great majority of the public is wearing them outdoors. Like this -

Despite official nudges, Japanese still not unmasking outside

Amid a brutal heatwave, the government is urging people to shed their masks when outside, but peer pressure still prevails for now.

www.japantimes.co.jp

However there is some good news despite the gloom. Despite record case levels severe covid is less than 10% of previous outbreaks. there are 155 severe cases at present compared to more than 2000 in previous outbreaks.

Visualizing the data: information on COVID-19 infections

 

[Vic]

Yeah, the Japanese member of my international committee has said 2023 is about when they think it will be ok for them to leave the country. But they're not sure they can make it out in February, or May.

And Japan had some of the highest mask wearing pre-covid, in my experience.

 

[OZDUCK]

This is obviously having an effect on JAL.

JAL to reassign 3,000 workers, expecting long business travel slump

Exclusive: Flag carrier staff will go to budget airlines, shopping and e-commerce

asia.nikkei.com

 

[encryptededdy]

This is obviously having an effect on JAL.

JAL to reassign 3,000 workers, expecting long business travel slump

Exclusive: Flag carrier staff will go to budget airlines, shopping and e-commerce

asia.nikkei.com

I find it wild that the article doesn't mention a single time that Japan's borders are still more closed than everyone else. Is the explanation really business travel slump?