Japan Tourism for independent travellers

[jpp42]

My company has a large Japanese office and business travel (for permanent residents) is back to normal, and we have had a number of non-Japanese getting the correct permits to travel also. The biggest complaint is the special Covid test which requires the super long brain-scraping swabs (which every other country has agreed is not necessary).

 

[rbjhan]

I have a November 2022 trip booked, which was originally planned for Nov 2020, then Nov 2021, then Mar 2022....

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I have a November 2022 trip booked, which was originally planned for Nov 2020, then Nov 2021, then Mar 2022....

Yes I was looking at coming back from the USA via Japan in July/Aug 2023 ( I mainly tend to redeem almost a year out)......but the way things are going I might just unfortunately have to give Japan a miss till after then on another trip.

Like many other Japan watchers, we were looking go in 2022. Then 2023. Looking more and more like 2024 now.

 

[VPS]

I have a reward flight where I have to transfer airports in November so just about to cancel that

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

And now this !!

Sakurajima volcano: Evacuations in Japan as volcano erupts on Kyushu​

A large volcanic eruption on the Japanese island of Kyushu has sparked evacuation orders, with the country on high alert.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the volcano began exploding at 8.05pm local time on Sunday.
It said falling volcanic rock and searing gas and lava has been reported within 2 miles of the crater.
Kagoshima sits across from the volcano and a nearby nuclear power plant.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/sakurajima-volcano-evacuations-in-japan-as-volcano-erupts-on-kyushu/news-story/b83dfd946d8ce767d1ac287a5d83fa23

 

[Pushka]

Is Japan accepting smaller cruise ships yet?

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Is Japan accepting smaller cruise ships yet?

Not at the moment. We are booked for October 2023

 

[Pushka]

Not at the moment. We are booked for October 2023

Interesting. Thanks for confirming. I'm having a discussion on a Viking FB page whose (guess citizenship) are having a hard time believing that their cruise in a few weeks might not happen. They think because they are on the Blue list they will be fine.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Interesting. Thanks for confirming. I'm having a discussion on a Viking FB page whose (guess citizenship) are having a hard time believing that their cruise in a few weeks might not happen. They think because they are on the Blue list they will be fine.

Well they could cruise PAST Japan, but currently guests are not allowed OFF the ship - NO tours ! No independent travelling off the ship !!

 

[Pushka]

Furthermore it states that

Well they could cruise PAST Japan, but currently guests are not allowed OFF the ship - NO tours ! No independent travelling off the ship !!

The cruise has three days in Tokyo, Then the usual other stops eg Sapporo. Now they've worked out that Hong Kong will be an issue too. And some have discovered that Japans new visa rules requires a visit to the nearest Japan Embassy. It's a bit of a hot mess. But they still think they are going, in Sept/October.

 

[drron]

And there is no easy solution to the cruise line's problems. South korea and Taiwan are also not letting people along with Japan and all of China.
The major cruise lines have mostly cancelled their Japan cruises this year.

 

[Pushka]

And there is no easy solution to the cruise line's problems. South korea and Taiwan are also not letting people along with Japan and all of China.
The major cruise lines have mostly cancelled their Japan cruises this year.

Viking aren't helping. This was dated July 10. "I've been on LiveChat with Viking about Japan, and according to the rep, no visas are required, and "As of right now, you are able to explore on your own in the ports!""
And this "Those going to Hong Kong: you do know that Hong Kong still requires a 5 day mandatory quarantine for all entrees, including HK citizens. They have special hotels arranged. My family goes back and forth a lot to HK."

And some are flying into and embarking and also disembarking and flying out of Tokyo. Need to tell 'em they're dreamin.

 

[VPS]

Viking aren't helping. This was dated July 10. "I've been on LiveChat with Viking about Japan, and according to the rep, no visas are required, and "As of right now, you are able to explore on your own in the ports!""
And this "Those going to Hong Kong: you do know that Hong Kong still requires a 5 day mandatory quarantine for all entrees, including HK citizens. They have special hotels arranged. My family goes back and forth a lot to HK."

And some are flying into and embarking and also disembarking and flying out of Tokyo. Need to tell 'em they're dreamin.

Viking aren't helping but you do need to take a bit of responsibility for yourselves don't you but then if you're from the LOTFAP

 

[Pushka]

Viking aren't helping but you do need to take a bit of responsibility for yourselves don't you but then if you're from the LOTFAP

Agree somewhat. This is for a cruise where the lowest fare is $45k pp. It's a three month cruise starting from Vancouver. And the log in portal has the old information. There are so many ports. It won't end well.

 

[Buzzard]

Not at the moment. We are booked for October 2023

We are booked to board a ship ex Tokyo in April 2023. Hopefully.

 

[Seat0B]

Starting to feel nervous about a late January 2023 ski trip to Japan.

 

[ramsesgerber]

currently guests are not allowed OFF the ship - NO tours ! No independent travelling off the ship !!

Showbox jiofi.local.html tplinklogin​

 

[Maisy33]

You're all making me nervous about transiting through Haneda to LAX in April next year.....

 

[drron]

You're all making me nervous about transiting through Haneda to LAX in April next year.....

I think April should be fine. The case numbers are still going up but I would expect in a month at the latest they will start heading down again. The Government really is keen to have tourism return but They have to persuade the Japanese people it isn't dangerous.

 

[VPS]

You're all making me nervous about transiting through Haneda to LAX in April next year.....

what about me in November. I've pretty much given that up