Japan's ancient temples, tranquil hot springs, cherry blossoms and futuristic skyscrapers could soon be open for more people to enjoy again as the country has further eased Covid-19 restrictions.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that non-escorted visitors on package tours will be able to travel to Japan from next Wednesday. Speaking at an online press conference, he also said the daily arrival cap on visitor numbers would increase to 50,000 from the same date.
That’s an increase from the existing 20,000 policy.
Both changes, announced on Wednesday, are a significant step towards moving the nation's border restrictions on a par with other major economies. However, tourists hoping to hop on a plane and explore the Land of the Rising Sun at their leisure will have to sit tight.
The new rules allow tourists from "low-risk" countries into Japan without the need to join a guided tour, but only if visits have been arranged via a travel agency.
These agencies are responsible for managing holidaymakers' schedules and travellers must book a complete package tour. They will only be allowed to visit or experience other attractions listed on the approved itinerary.
Holidaymakers entering Japan on package tours will also need to have medical travel insurance covering Covid-19 treatment.
Last week, authorities in Japan eased Covid-19 entry requirements with tourists no longer needing to show a negative PCR test result to travel to the country so long as they have received three vaccination doses.
According to reports, tourists travelling to Japan will have to follow isolation guidelines in place if they test positive for the virus during a visit. These currently include self-quarantining for 10 days or no less than 72 hours after symptoms subside. Two negative tests are required before travellers are able to end isolation.
A slow start to post-pandemic travel in Japan
As one of the countries with the strictest lockdown measures during the pandemic, Japan reopened in June just in time for summer travel.
In the first month, only 1,500 tourists visited the country, according to its Immigration Services Agency.
That is 95 per cent less than traveller numbers in the same period pre-pandemic.
The strict travel agency rules and compulsory guide are joined by visa issues as stumbling blocks in reviving the industry.
The border is currently only open to those with pre-issued tourism visas, citizens and long-term visa holders. Visa waivers for travel, which were in place before the pandemic, have not been reinstated since they were halted.
Before the pandemic, Japan hosted 32 million foreign visitors in 2019 and had been on track to achieve its goal of 40 million in 2020.
Japan's cherry blossom season — in pictures
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Cherry blossoms in full bloom at the moat near the Imperial Palace in Chidorigafuchi, Tokyo. AP -
The Japan Meteorological Agency declared the full bloom of cherry blossoms in the capital in March 2022. EPA -
Cherry blossoms in Japan often bloom between late March and mid-April. Reuters -
A newlywed couple stand under cherry blossoms in Tokyo. EPA -
Authorities imposed restrictions in parks where cherry blossoms bloom owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Reuters -
Visitors envoy the view at the Chidorigafuchi moat. AP -
Authorities in Tokyo declared the first bloom on March 20, 2022. EPA -
Blossoms of the Somei-Yoshino variety came to full bloom in Tokyo four days earlier than on an average year. AP -
It was the first variety of cherry blossom to come to full bloom in Japan in 2022. AP -
The bloom only lasts for about a week and marks the beginning of spring in Japan. Getty -
Cherry blossoms came to full bloom five days later than the previous year. AFP
