Japan remains a top travel destination and has finally reopened its borders to tourists on guided group tours However, entry is still closed off to independent travelers.
UPDATE! JAPAN IS REOPENING! Read the news here.
If you’re here wondering what you need to travel to Japan (you probably are). We’re here to answer your questions. Continue reading for all the latest information on what you need to know. We cover who can come to Japan, border restrictions, and the rules you must comply with if you choose to come to Japan as part of a guided group tour.
This page will be updated as conditions change, so please come back to check if you’re not ready to travel to Japan just yet.
Who Can Travel to Japan?
As of July 1, the daily entry cap has been raised to 20,000 people. You can enter Japan if you’re a foreign resident with a valid residence visa, business traveler, foreign student, or tourist on a guided package tour.
What Do I Need to Enter Japan?
Starting from September 7, travelers who are fully vaccinated (includes booster) do not need to take a pre-arrival COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure to Japan.
Entry rules do differ between the country or region you’re traveling from. Japan has divided countries and regions into three categories. The categories color coded Red, Yellow, and Blue. Depending on your category, you maybe asked to provide all or some of the following documents upon arrival:
- Sign a written pledge (only for those required to quarantine).
- Submit responses to a questionnaire administered by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (can be submitted ahead of time via Fast Track).
- Submit a COVID-19 vaccination certificate (vaccination isn’t a requirement to enter Japan, but arrivals from Red and Yellow categories can decrease quarantine time by submitting in advance. This can also be submitted via Fast Track.
- Download the MySOS health monitoring app to your phone.
- Take a PCR test upon arrival (Blue category and Yellow category fully vaccinated travelers are exempted from this).
Using Fast Track you can get through some procedures at the airport more quickly.
Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further entry requirements.
Do I Need to Quarantine Upon Arrival in Japan?
Travelers are split into three color coded categories of Red, Yellow, and Blue depending upon the country or region they;’re traveling from. These categories also determine the quarantine measures that must be followed for entry into Japan.
- Red: Travelers must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and, regardless of vaccination status, quarantine for three days at a designated government facility.
- Yellow: Travelers without a valid vaccination certificate must take an on arrival COVID-19 test and quarantine for three days at a designated government facility. Those with a valid vaccination certificate are exempt from on arrival testing and quarantine.
- Blue: No testing on arrival and no quarantine regardless of vaccination status.
Further details of which countries and regions fall into each category can be found here.
What Do I Need to Visit Japan on a Guided Group Tour?
At this time Japan is only open to those visiting through guided group tours. The Japanese government is asking these travelers to wear face masks and purchase insurance to cover potential COVID-19 medical expenses. The safety measures are made known to tour participants when they purchase their guided group tour packages. Failure to comply may disqualify travelers from participating.
When Can Independent Travelers Visit Japan?
Recent reports suggest that the government is considering the acceptance of independent travelers if the the trip has been arranged through a travel agency that will manage the traveler’s itinerary. If this is approved, these somewhat independent travelers could be admitted as early as September.
We’ll keep you updated as information is released by Japanese authorities.
