Japan to allow nonguided tour groups from September but entry will still be severely limited
Japan has further relaxed its COVID-19-related travel restrictions, finally allowing travelers to visit the Land of the Rising Sun without an escort.
From Sept. 7, foreign tourists will be able to visit the Pacific archipelago without being tied to a guided tour. Additionally, the arrival cap will marginally increase from 20,000 to 50,000 daily tourists.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he hoped the new measures would awaken the former economic powerhouse's tourism industry, still groggy from almost three years of travel restrictions. He added that tourist-friendly exchange rates in particular should prove a major lure.
"In countries worldwide, international exchange is growing," said Kishida. "To participate in these exchanges and to benefit from the weaker yen, we will raise the daily arrival cap to 50,000 from Sept 7, as well as allow [tourists on] nonguided tours from all countries to enter the country."
Tourists will still need to be vaccinated and assigned to a package tour to obtain a visa, but they will no longer need to be supervised.
What exactly constitutes a package tour is not clear, but ministers said guidelines will be released in the coming days.
Related: Japan announces limited reopening plan — hope for an eventual return of tourism?
This is a big step for Japan. One of the world's last COVID-19 travel-ban holdouts, it had been closed to tourists since 2020.
In June, it began allowing foreign tourists into the country, but only on tightly controlled guided tours. On top of that, visitors were expected to provide proof of a negative test up to 72 hours before departure and apply for a visa — a laborious and time-consuming process that industry experts said turned people off from visiting Japan.
Ministers hope that loosening their current restrictions will breathe life into the nation's wheezing economy, as the strict, guided tours have not been popular with tourists. According to Japan's Immigration Services Agency, only 8,155 foreign tourists visited Japan in June and July. Maintaining a strict 50,000-tourist arrival cap could still deter some tourists from booking trips.
What do I need to enter Japan?
At the time of writing, the U.S. Department of State has not yet updated guidance on its website; however, you will no longer need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test up to 72 hours prior to your departure, nor will you have to be signed up for an approved tour.
Instead, you simply need to be fully vaccinated and signed up for a package tour, the exact details of which are not yet available.
What does it mean to be 'fully vaccinated' in Japan?
If you can prove you have received two doses of the AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines (or one of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) as well as an additional booster shot from Pfizer or Moderna, then you will be considered fully vaccinated. You will be exempt from quarantine and self-isolation. AstraZeneca is not accepted as a valid booster.
If you are identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive on arrival, you will be required to quarantine or self-isolate for seven days.
Unvaccinated travelers no longer need to self-isolate but are expected to provide proof of a negative test up to 72 hours before departure; it must be signed and stamped by the laboratory where the test was taken.
For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State website, or the Japan National Tourism Organization website.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.