Japan Tourism for independent travellers

[mrsterryn]

I thought transiting was fine ? Within HND ?
LHR to HND, HND to SYD

 

[VPS]

I thought transiting was fine ? Within HND ?
LHR to HND, HND to SYD

but you can't go from Haneda to Narita or vv

 

[mrsterryn]

but you can't go from Haneda to Narita or vv

Phew . This trip of husband's is stressful enough
PS I can't send you a private message lol. So thank you

 

[rbjhan]

but you can't go from Haneda to Narita or vv

To be fair, in the best of pre-covid times I would not recommend this

 

[ketsuzei]

Prime Minister Kishida indicated last night that they're planning to remove the pre-arrival testing requirement for those who are vaccinated, and hike the cap on daily arrivals. No word on timing as yet (but Japan is not known for speedy and efficient bureaucracy). The initial focus was of course on Japanese citizens returning from overseas, not independent tourists.

From elsewhere within the Diet I'm told that independent tourism should be possible from late September or early October.

From the English-language version of the Nikkei:

Japan's government is considering ending the pre-arrival COVID-19 testing requirement for inbound travelers who are vaccinated, Nikkei has learned.

The current border controls require travelers to show proof of a negative test result from within 72 hours of departure. As some countries curtail their testing capabilities, obtaining the necessary documents has become more difficult.

A decision will be made soon, taking the country's case count into consideration. The easing is likely to take effect within a few weeks.

(...)

The government also will consider raising the daily cap on people arriving in Japan from the current 20,000.

 

[ketsuzei]

From the English-language version of the Nikkei:

The government also will consider raising the daily cap on people arriving in Japan from the current 20,000.

Apparently there'll be an announcement tomorrow about raising the cap to 50,000 a day.

 

[ketsuzei]

False dawn on the independent tourism front, I’m afraid. Next step is “tours without guides”, but it will still need to be a tour. Baby steps.

 

[encryptededdy]

What even is a tour without guide anyway? I guess just a tour company pre-planned and approved itinerary?

I wonder what the intent of Japan is here. I thought wanting guided tours before was because they didn't trust foreigners to follow COVID restrictions, but now...

 

[ketsuzei]

What even is a tour without guide anyway? I guess just a tour company pre-planned and approved itinerary?

Right, they want someone (i.e. a tour company) to take responsibility for where people will be at all times *and look after them if they should happen to get sick*. And I guess only certain types of activity will be approved. So it looks like I won't be free to wander around just coughing on people as is my usual objective for a holiday.

It's been largely political for a long time now. One of the problems of having no effective opposition is that the LDP spends way too much time focusing on each dip and pop in the opinion polls.

Yesterday was Japan's highest number of daily "covid deaths" to date, so there's probably a little while to go before public sentiment turns more favorable.

 

[encryptededdy]

Presser just finished and the only changes announced were people with 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be exempt from pre-departure testing.

No announcements regarding the previously speculated raising of the arrival caps or the allowance of tours without a guide.

 

[ketsuzei]

Presser just finished and the only changes announced were people with 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be exempt from pre-departure testing.

No announcements regarding the previously speculated raising of the arrival caps or the allowance of tours without a guide.

Exemption applies from September 7.

Everything else was basically just "We're still working on it, details to follow". Including in response to a question about raising the cap.

 

[rbjhan]

This is frustrating to say the least.
I've given up on my Nov trip basically. Booked a trip to NZ in Dec and another one to Thailand next Feb.

 

[FishFood]

I'm staying 2 nights in Japan in January, hopefully it is open then otherwise I'm getting very well acquainted with the airport

 

[jpp42]

Now I'm wondering if we will be good in April '23 with a three-night stopover (and HND arrival, NRT departure).... plenty of time to stress over it!

 

[ketsuzei]

More of the same from Kishida just now:

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday that Japan will allow non-escorted visitors on package tours and raise the daily arrival cap to 50,000 starting Sept. 7 — a significant step toward putting the country’s border restrictions on par with other major economies.

Japan has been allowing foreign tourists into the country since June, but only on guided tours. The new rules mean that tourists on nonguided package tours can visit the country. It was not immediately clear what criteria will be used to determine what constitutes a package tour.

 

[rbjhan]

I think you still need to go through an agency to issue erfs.
A friend is currently on this, she's going in Sep....I'm watching her every move

 

[ketsuzei]

I think you still need to go through an agency to issue erfs.

Ridiculous that they still require one... I guess that'll be the next thing to go as they try to make things look as incremental as possible.

In parallel they're working on dialing back the domestic reporting requirements to basically just potentially serious cases... they'll need to push that through first.

 

[drron]

Strong rumour that in the not too distant future citizens of G7 countries will be granted the right to Independent tourism. Comes from a US friend whose predictions on Japan have been close to the mark.
Sadly won't include us.

 

[encryptededdy]

Looks like at least one agency is issuing ERFS as long as you provide your itinerary to them: About ERFS certification - Organize Nationally-Licensed and Experienced Guides in Japan

 

[SYD]

Looks like at least one agency is issuing ERFS as long as you provide your itinerary to them: About ERFS certification - Organize Nationally-Licensed and Experienced Guides in Japan

and pay.

Japan Increases Daily Arrivals Cap To 50,000 & Soon Allows Tourists On Non Guided Tours

Japan increases the daily arrivals cap to 50,000 and will soon allow tourists on non-guided tours.

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