BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images
Japan’s intoxicating blend of cutting edge and tradition.
Editor’s note: Coronavirus cases remain high worldwide. Health officials have warned that travel increases the chances of catching and spreading the virus. Staying home is the best way to stop the spread. Here’s what you need to know if you’re still planning to travel, last updated September 27.
CNN
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If you’re planning a trip to Japan, here’s what you need to know and what to expect when traveling to Japan during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It’s official: Japan will reopen to tourism on October 11.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made the announcement at a press conference in September.
“We will raise the cap on the number of people entering Japan, lift the personal travel ban, and lift the visa-free travel ban,” he said.
Learn more here.
Blending cutting-edge with tradition, Japan remains a huge draw for tourists from around the world.Whether participating in a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, hunting for cheap tech gadgets in Tokyo’s Akihabara district or soaking in hot water spa In the forests of the Northeast, the country leaves its mark on all who visit.
A full list of countries that citizens can enter can be found here.
Please consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the latest information.
From October 11, anyone entering Japan will not need to undergo a PCR or rapid test.
Masks are not required to be worn in public places, but are recommended in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, around the elderly and on public transport.
As of Sept. 27, Japan had reported more than 21 million confirmed cases and 44,401 deaths.
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has allowed prefectures to allow young patients deemed to be at low risk to self-test for antigens and begin self-isolation at home without waiting for a doctor’s diagnosis.
Previously, patients had to be registered as Covid-19 patients by their doctors, who reported every new case to the government. If passed, the new policy would allow patients to contact their local public health centers themselves.
The measure aims to reduce the number of people visiting hospitals and health centres.
Japan is considering following in Israel’s footsteps and encouraging elderly residents to get a fourth dose of the vaccine. The government’s health ministry has ordered more vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer to implement the program, which has yet to set a date.
While most of Japan remains open for business, cities have been much quieter than usual, and the government has the power to order businesses in high-transmission areas to close. Masks must be worn in public.
foreign ministry
Japan Tourism Organization
Osaka is now home to the world’s first and so far only Super Nintendo World, where visitors can don virtual reality goggles and play a real-life version of Mario Kart.
Fukushima is ready for tourists again, and you can practice Celine Ukuor forest bathing, at Sagano Bamboo Forest in Kyoto.
For something a little less idyllic, Yokohama has a museum dedicated to poop. Or immerse yourself in the famous food scene with record-breaking snow crab and a $185 steak sandwich.
Olympic fans who can’t make it in person can still visit many of the venues hosting the events.
