This was published 1 year ago
Japan border reopening: One of Australia's favourite destinations opens, with strict rules
Japan National Tourism Organisation's Sydney-based executive director Yoko Tanaka.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone
International travel to Japan is back on for Australians after more than two years.
But the holiday favourite, which had some of the strictest COVID-19 border controls in the world, will require all foreign visitors to wear masks, travel with an organised tour group, and buy private medical insurance as a condition of entry.
The strict tourism measures are part of the country's multi-phased reopening plan, designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 when it reopens from June 10.
Japan will reopen to tourists, but under strict conditions including them having to be part of organised tour groups.Credit: iStock
Japan's visa-waiver program remains suspended, with approved tour companies alone able to lodge visa applications on behalf of customers. Foreign tourists will require an Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS) certificate, applied for by the tour company's local tourism partners.
As part of the chaperone requirement, visitors will need to be fully escorted from the moment they touch down to the moment they depart, according to Japan National Tourism Organisation's Sydney-based executive director Yoko Tanaka.
"There is no requirement for number of days or number of passengers, and flights may be booked separately, but the trip must be fully escorted from arrival airport to departure airport," says Tanaka.
Australians aren't required to quarantine or complete a COVID-19 test on arrival, though visitors will need to produce a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their departure for Japan.
Although international arrivals are currently capped at 20,000 a day as of June 1, Tanaka says the timing of the reopening gives Australians a headstart in planning a trip for Japan's peak travel seasons.
"Japan's winter ski season [mid-January to April] and cherry blossom season [late March to mid-April] remain hugely popular for both international and domestic tourists, so we always encourage people to plan well in advance," Tanaka says.
Japan has become one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations in recent years, with the number of visitors to the country surging more than 300 per cent over the past decade prior to the pandemic. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows 158,000 Australians visited in 2009, by 2019 this had increased to more than half a million.
Wendy Wu Tours will be among the first companies to recommence operations in Japan; they have just added a 12-day itinerary departing July 26, following an uptick in demand.
Founder Wendy Wu says the company has been laying groundwork for some time to be among the first to go.
"Japan is the biggest market for Wendy Wu Tours as a business. The reopening news is so significant for us and our customers," says Wu.
Wu, who has been working closely with local authorities, confirmed visa processing times are currently estimated at five days, with approval from local operators.
"The visa is free for Australians, and a small cost for other passport holders," she added.
Despite Japan's fraught reopening framework, the travel industry has already seen a sharp surge in interest for travel to Japan.
Flight Centre noted a nine per cent jump in Japan flight and holiday searches in the week of the reopening announcement.
Brent Novak, general manager at Flight Centre Australia, says people have adapted quickly to the complexities of overseas travel.
"I think that because so many Aussies are keen to visit Japan, they'll take its remaining COVID restrictions in their stride," says Novak.
John McGilvray, 80, will be taking his fourth trip to Japan in September with Wendy Wu Tours, and says he isn't put off by the nation's notoriously strict COVID-19 measures.
"I understand the restrictions, and that not everyone in Japan is happy about opening up. And they're trying to manage COVID with group tours," says the Blue Mountains-based retiree.
McGilvray says, in his age bracket, there's safety appeal in doing an organised tour.
"Wendy Wu's are all encompassing, where transport, accommodation and meals are all covered, so at this stage in life I thought that was better for me than perhaps when I was first in Japan in 1965," McGilvray says.
However, the cost and lack of freedom may be a barrier to some travellers.
Sydney pilot Sandy Nagesh, 29, and his brother Ansul, 23, last week bought flights to Tokyo before realising they would need to book an organised tour.
"More than the additional costs involved in booking a packaged tour, what puts us off is the lack of freedom and flexibility in choosing where to go," Nagesh says.
"I am sure not many youngsters would prefer to holiday this way either. Unfortunately, we don't see an option other than to cancel our trip to Japan."
TOP JAPAN TOURS
Wendy Wu Tours: Jewels of Japan
Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt Fuji, Hiroshima, and Osaka. Rub shoulders with a real-life Geisha, learn the art of Origami, and get a delicious lesson in the art of making soba noodles. From $9900 a person, departs July 26, 2022. See wendywutours.com.au
Intrepid Travel: Japan - Land of the Rising Sun
Explore Japan's lesser-known destinations over 13 adventure-packed days, sipping sake in Takayama and marvelling at the iconic floating torii gate of Miyajima. From $6475 a person, departs July 3. See intrepidtravel.com/au
Luxury Escapes Small-Group Japan Tour
Zig-zagging between Tokyo to Kyoto, this indulgent itinerary includes multiple gourmet dining and tasting experiences, a ryokan stay, high-speed bullet train and more. Available online from early July, from $3999 a person, multiple departure dates. See luxuryescapes.com/au
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