Japan looking to drop entry requirements

Himeji, Japan - March 26, 2019 : On the day of cherry blossoms in full bloom at Himeji-Jo Castle, In the last week of marchevery year is the time of cherry blossom viewing season

A Japanese Government spokesperson said that Japan is looking to further relax entry rules “in the not too distant future.”

This update will include dropping the requirement to get a visa and book a travel package through a travel company registered in Japan. These restrictions would be lifted for tourists who have had three vaccines or proof of a negative COVID test.

Japan is also looking to ditch its daily limits on overseas arrivals, currently sitting at 50,000, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida could make the decision as soon as this week, according to local broadcaster FNN.

They also identified that Japan’s upcoming autumn and winter travel seasons typically attract large numbers of visitors, so with October and Japan’s autumn leaf season just around the corner, those in the travel industry are hopeful of an official announcement in the next few weeks.

This news came after deputy chief cabinet secretary Seiji Kihara told a TV program on the weekend that the weak yen could help the Japanese tourism industry and that the country can’t afford to fall behind the rest of the world. Kihara said that restrictions would be removed at “an appropriate time.”

There has already been strong interest among Aussie travellers to head back over to Japan, with Harry Sargant, the marketing manager at InsideJapan, saying there has been “a huge spike in enquiries for visiting Japan over the Dec/Jan school holidays, and of course for cherry blossom season in Mar/Apr 2023.”

This will be the first time since 2019 that overseas visitors will be able to experience cherry blossom season.

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]