Japan Tourism for independent travellers

[ketsuzei]

The way they were talking, it seemed like a done deal

There's really very little other way to interpret comments like that from the deputy chief cabinet secretary. With no effective opposition they only say things when they want to.

Anecdotally, many of the cabinet members (and other LDP bigwigs) were taken aback by the recent Privy Council meeting, seeing all of those elderly movers and shakers crowded together without a mask in sight. They'll keep the masks, but the general sense now is "if not now then when".

JAL and ANA announcements of new flights are reportedly coming within the next few days (with much greater use of HND), so here's hoping for some good award availability.

 

[levelnine]

JAL and ANA announcements of new flights are reportedly coming within the next few days (with much greater use of HND), so here's hoping for some good award availability.

Following this with great interest!

 

[aikman]

Just got an email that JL cancelled my MEL-NRT flight this Christmas. Doesn't sound like they are confident of a reopening soon.

Now to solve the problem of finding award flights out of Australia over Christmas

 

[levelnine]

Just got an email that JL cancelled my MEL-NRT flight this Christmas. Doesn't sound like they are confident of a reopening soon.

JL's NRT-MEL-NRT flights zeroed out until end of January 2023, it looks like.

 

[kyle]

Now I need to start thinking about Japan after Europe July next year!

Fooooooddddd...

 

[ketsuzei]

Laying more groundwork:

HIROYUKI AKIYAMA, Nikkei staff writer
September 15, 2022 02:00 JST
Updated on September 15, 2022 02:48 JST

TOKYO -- Japan will drop a ban on individual tourist visits and remove a cap on daily arrivals, Nikkei has learned, moving closer to pre-pandemic rules as the country looks to ride a global travel rebound.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to announce the changes in the coming days.

The latest easing of Japan's entry rules -- the toughest in the Group of Seven advanced economies -- is expected to take place in October, though the final decision will depend on the COVID-19 situation at home and abroad.

Japan set to announce restart of visa-free tourist travel

Limit on daily arrivals to be scrapped as country seeks economic boost

asia.nikkei.com

 

[Buzzard]

According to my TA, information they just received indicates that restrictions will be very relaxed come 1st October for free wheeling travel. Apparently a visa ($20 or $30 I'm told) will be required so that the government can monitor visitor entry.

 

[Must...Fly!]

JL's NRT-MEL-NRT flights zeroed out until end of January 2023, it looks like.

I just picked up a J award seat NRT-MEL in early Dec in anticipation of border news. Looks like it is 3 x weekly.

 

[RooFlyer]

According to my TA, information they just received indicates that restrictions will be very relaxed come 1st October for free wheeling travel. Apparently a visa ($20 or $30 I'm told) will be required so that the government can monitor visitor entry.

Yes Japanese expat friend told me much the same today

 

[drron]

Though this was in an email from JAL received 1 hour ago.

https://www.jal.co.jp/vacations/en-au/japan-open-for-tourism?utm_source=email&utm_medium=dir-mailnews&utm_campaign=12_au_bcp_fy22_q2_welcome-jpn-aor.en-20220916-syd_0_14-salespromo_lf_0&utm_content=0_aor_055_direct_jmb_0_email_1p_multi_0_0_0_0_0_&nclid=YiCVxiy-EnznMXTYGlJH6qN-tc-UbZLX2KWlkyIgexV9uOt3QLYoL0WDNvxriRce

Our service is only applicable to JAL Vacations customers who have purchased a package travel including flights to/from Japan and hotel accommodations for the entirety of your stay in Japan.

1. A copy of your passport and your contact points in Japan (email address and phone number).
2. A consent to conditions for your stay in Japan in accordance with the rules of the Japanese government.
3. A document proving you have travel insurance coverage for treatment and other expenses in the event of contracting COVID-19.
4. Payment of registration fee. (Our fee is USD 50/CAD 50)

 

[encryptededdy]

Though this was in an email from JAL received 1 hour ago.

US$50 fee for ERFS is very reasonable, compared to the other providers I've seen.


Looks like the fee for Australia is AUD$60, which is actually a tad cheaper than the USD$50 mentioned above.

 

[glasszon]

According to my TA, information they just received indicates that restrictions will be very relaxed come 1st October for free wheeling travel. Apparently a visa ($20 or $30 I'm told) will be required so that the government can monitor visitor entry.

That would be great news, although the visa could cost more for those that lives in Victoria as the consulate has outsourced the visa application to select travel agencies.

 

[Buzzard]

That would be great news, although the visa could cost more for those that lives in Victoria as the consulate has outsourced the visa application to select travel agencies.

Last week a Victorian TA quoted me $100 per visa. The hard bit was the required documentation. Said documents apparently not required from October 1.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Looks like it’s finally happening.
Japanese PM has spoken from New York
Removing cap, independent tourists allowed from October.
AFR

 

[encryptededdy]

That's excellent news. Japan to allow visa-free individual tourists from Oct. 11

Now to see if JL drops some more flights and therefore more award seats

And also, anyone with booked NRT <-> HND transits can finally relax.

 

[Must...Fly!]

That's fantastic, thank you for sharing. Planned 6 days in Tokyo/Kyoto as a first taste of Japan on the way back from Canada. Looks like it's all going to work out.

 

[Basaka]

Also hoping JL releases more reward seats (especially J) - would be nice if I can upgrade my QF J to JL J for next May/Jun ish.

Or hope they bring back the 777s they planned to swap to in Aug 2020 so I can try the F...

 

[Pele]

Also hoping JL releases more reward seats (especially J) - would be nice if I can upgrade my QF J to JL J for next May/Jun ish.

Or hope they bring back the 777s they planned to swap to in Aug 2020 so I can try the F...

JL release more award seats?!!! LOL!

11 months ago you could have booked 9 J reward seats!

 

[Must...Fly!]

There were two dates with seats in J in to Australia for the entire month of December earlier this week.

Certainly other options via Asia if you are interested in routing that way. But again you run in to issues getting from Asia to Australia, that gets in to the busy Christmas period though.

 

[Seat0B]

Well I’m really happy with this announcement. Now I have a lot of trip planning to do! In my happy place.