Kathie Callum, sales director at adventure travel company Oku Japan, said their sales met or exceeded 2019 levels, marking a record high. “Demand that has been pent up for three years is surfacing.”
Midori Matsumoto, a spokeswoman for the JNTO, said some Japanese travel agencies had to turn away clients interested in spring travel because of the high volume of bookings. The surge in demand will continue well beyond the busy cherry blossom season in spring, and international tourists should plan accordingly.
“I can’t predict the future, but I recommend that you book in advance for anything, such as tours, popular restaurants, museums, theme parks, etc.,” Matsumoto said in an email.
Knowledge about COVID and entry requirements
Travelers from the United States do not require a visa for a visit of up to three months. They can enter Japan with a valid coronavirus vaccination certificate or a negative test result taken within 72 hours of departure. From November 2022, travelers can use the “fast track” service at major airports in Japan to pre-register for immigration, customs and vaccination screening.
On March 13, all mask guidelines in public places like transportation, schools, theme parks, and airlines were lifted, but you may encounter many people who continue to wear masks as they did before the pandemic. “There has always been a tradition of wearing masks in Japan,” Callum said.
“Some private companies and organizations can require people to wear masks,” Callum said. “But these days it’s usually up to people to decide.”
Before travelling, the US embassy recommends checking the latest regulations on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. The embassy also warns travelers that “many common U.S. medications and over-the-counter medicines are illegal in Japan, regardless of whether you have a valid U.S. prescription.” This may include cold remedies, such as Sudafed, and treatments for ADD/ADHD (Adderall) wait. Check the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website and this FAQ for more information on prohibited prescriptions and general regulations.
A place beyond Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto
Most people are looking for classic Japanese travel experiences like getting lost in a maze of skyscrapers in Tokyo; visiting temples and experiencing a tea ceremony in Kyoto; and exploring street food in Osaka. “Of course, they want to see the classics,” said Jeffrey M. Krevitt, vice president of marketing for Inside Travel Group, which owns InsideJapan Tours. “If it’s your first time in Japan, of course you have to go to Tokyo and Kyoto,” Hield said. “But then add a site or two that’s off the beaten path.” Here are some options.
- For the food scene: Hokkaido. While Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin stars in the world, Naomi Mano, president and CEO of Tokyo-based luxury travel company Luxurique, sends tourists to Japan’s northernmost prefecture for incredible eats—especially Seafood, Sapporo-style ramen, and breweries. “The reason people go there is because the food is great,” Mano said. Still, for “the best crab in the world,” she recommends Fukui prefecture.
- See rural Japan: ShikokuThe smallest of Japan’s major islands “is almost like a secret place where you can see the outdoors and traditional life,” Krewitt said of Shikoku. Hield sends nature lovers to the island, home to Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest onsen resorts.
- If you want a beach: Okinawa. Okinawa has some of the best beaches and scuba diving opportunities in Japan, Mano said. An option that’s closer to Tokyo — but not a draw for foreign tourists — is Hachijo Island, a 50-minute boat or 50-minute flight away. “You can soak your feet in the hot springs and watch whales,” she said. “No one really knows about it.”
Book accommodation and dining in advance
No matter where you plan to go, lock down your accommodation as early as possible. With foreigners pouring back into Japan and Japan’s hotel industry experiencing labor shortages, it can be difficult to find accommodations for your travel dates, Callum and Heald said. This is especially true during busy travel periods, “even with the hotel explosion that happened on the eve of and even after the Olympics.”
Competition for smaller lodging options such as ryokans (traditional inns), hot spring resorts and temple lodgings has increased. Still, Callum encourages travelers to include these traditional hotels in their trips, even if just for a few nights, for “a great lodging experience that can only be found in Japan.” Weekends may not be possible in some places, but you might consider staying on weekdays as there are fewer domestic tourists.
The same advice applies to other parts of your trip. Don’t let your plans come to naught, book restaurants, tea ceremonies and sporting events.
“If there’s something you absolutely want to have as part of your experience … I would definitely recommend booking in advance because there are so many people coming to Japan,” Callum said.
Mode of travel: Subway and Japan Rail Pass
The best way to see Japan is by using its world-famous train system, from the Tokyo subway to long-distance trains. Train etiquette in Japan is very different from New York City or Amtrak, so brush up on train etiquette before boarding.
For those planning to visit more than one city, consider purchasing a Japan Rail (JR) pass before heading out. Check the prices of any individual train tickets you might buy, as well as the costs of different passes, to see if it’s a good deal.
Exclusively for foreign visitors, these passes are available in 7-day, 14-day or 21-day increments and can be purchased online or at JR’s designated overseas sales offices or agents. This is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Callum recommends researching different regional rail passes. For example, for a two-week trip, Callum said it might make more sense to buy a standard Japan Rail Pass one week and a Regional Pass the next.
The JR Pass does not cover subways and trams within the city. Buying a subway day pass can make your life in Tokyo easier. For about $6, you can get a Tokyo Metro ticket that gives you unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for the day. Two- and three-day tickets cost only a few dollars more.
Hot in 2023: Theme parks and forest bathing
Crewitt said more and more clients are asking about “forest bathing,” the Japanese practice of “feeling the atmosphere of the forest.” Forest bathing involves “walking through the forest and experiencing it in a very purposeful way,” he said. “It’s just a rejuvenating and refreshing feeling.”
Forest bathing destinations Krevitt picked include the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route; the Shin-Etsu Trail; the woods around Japan’s ancient capital Nara; and Kyoto’s Arashiyama.
But “there are plenty of places where you can go forest bathing,” says Luxurique’s Mano. Her first choice is the islands of Kyushu and Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture, one-fifth of which are registered world natural heritage sites. The island and its ancient cedar trees can be reached by jet boat, ferry or 40 minutes by plane.
Visitors can also take a forest bath at the new 494-acre attraction Park Ghibli, which features re-created sets from 14 classic films produced by the Studio Ghibli animation company. Located a few hours southwest of Tokyo, the park was built around an existing public space to minimize environmental harm.
Japan, on the other hand, recently opened Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, which has been described as an escape from the natural world into video games.
