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Latest Japan Travel Requirements
Last updated 03 May 2023, 00:00 BST
Summary
Since October 2022, Japan is fully open without the requirement for a visa for most visitors and, as of 29 April 2023, vaccination certificates and pre-departure tests are no longer required either. Read on to find out more!
- Who is currently allowed to travel to Japan?
- What is required to travel to Japan and what about visas?
- Do I need to be vaccinated to go to Japan?
- Do I need to do a pre-departure Covid test?
- Do I need to download any tracing apps in Japan?
- What measures are in place when I arrive in Japan?
- Will I need to wear a mask in Japan?
- Can I use public transport in Japan?
- Are there any restrictions on where tourists can travel?
- What happens if I get Covid during the trip?
- More information
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Who is currently allowed to travel to Japan?
Entry to Japan is back to pre-pandemic visa arrangements. In other words, passport holders of countries including the UK, most of Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can make use of Japan's 90-day visa-free short term stay arrangements just as it was before March 2020.
During the pandemic, the Japanese government separated all countries into 'red', 'yellow' and 'blue' categories, based on covid safety levels. The 98 “low risk” countries were categorized as “blue” - this included Australia, Britain, most of Europe, the US and Canada. Travellers from these areas did not need to self-isolate or test upon arrival. This has since been rolled back to pre-Covid entry conditions, i.e. normal entry requirements and visa conditions as stipulated between Japan and each individual country.
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What is required to travel to Japan and what about visas?
For arrivals from most countries from October 11th, 2022, a visa is no longer required to visit Japan. And from April 29th 2023, vaccination proof and pre-departure testing are no longer required either.
In other words, there are no more requirements to travel to Japan other than ensuring having a passport with enough validity and a visa waiver agreement between your country and Japan, as is the case for the UK and most of Europe, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand among other countries.
The points below are optional, but we recommend to:
- Preregister on Visit Japan Web for smoother entry into Japan - both the customs and immigration declarations can be made online in advance.
- Have a travel insurance plan that covers covid-related medical expenses and disruptions.
For more information on entering Japan, you can refer to the Japan National Tourism Organization’s (JNTO) website : General Checklist For Traveling to Japan
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Do I need to be vaccinated to go to Japan?
There is no vaccination requirement to enter Japan. Additionally, as of 29 April 2023 vaccination proof or pre-departure testing are no longer required either.
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Do I need to do a pre-departure Covid test?
From 07 September 2022, triple vaccinated visitors did not need to do a pre-departure test. From 29 April 2023, all visitors can travel to Japan regardless of vaccination status, as vaccination proof and pre-departure tests are no longer required.
We can advise further if you have any questions - just let us know!
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Do I need to download any tracing apps in Japan?
There is no requirement to download any apps to enter Japan.
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What measures are in place when I arrive in Japan?
Japanese are travelling in their country and life in Japan is back to normal with restaurants and sights welcoming back visitors.
The Japanese government originally established a set of etiquette guidelines for tourists and locals encouraging widespread use of masks, which has now shifted towards a less strict and more personal approach. You’ll notice many people -though not all- will be wearing masks and there will be no shortage of hand sanitizer in public places. You will also see markers on shop/store floors to encourage social distancing and some digital thermometers at entrances, both implemented at the height of the pandemic but no longer actively enforced.
The Japan Tourism Agency has put together a nice set of graphics to illustrate the current travel etiquette guidelines:
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Will I need to wear a mask in Japan?
Not anymore! Though it is recommended by the government to do so at medical facilities, nursing homes and crowded trains and buses. Additionally, some venues may require you to wear a mask, so always carry one just in case! (In practice, we haven't found many places doing this.)
As you will see when you arrive in Japan, mask wearing is quite widespread, though not everyone will be wearing one. Even at the height of the pandemic, all Covid "requirements" were actually advisory rather than set in law.
Starting in May 2022, the Japanese government had slowly been easing restrictions on mask wearing, allowing more leeway to take masks off when outdoors or in places that have good ventilation, proper social distancing, or a general lack of conversation. It was already normal to wear a mask if you were feeling under the weather even before Covid, and after the height of the pandemic wearing a mask almost became a form of politeness in Japan. While walking around you will notice that many people are choosing to continue wearing masks, though not everyone! It's becoming more and more acceptable to not be wearing a mask, especially after the government announced they would officially put Covid-19 in the same category as the common flu.
The current guidelines on wearing masks can be seen here.
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Can I use public transport in Japan?
Yes! Wearing a mask is optional, but recommended at crowded times.
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Are there any restrictions on where tourists can travel?
No - There are no restrictions in this regard.
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What happens if I get Covid during the trip?
Should you contract coronavirus during your travels, you will have either your tour leader or our 24/7 customer support team available to assist you. We have protocols in place to ensure that any testing, self-isolation, or doctor visits will be conducted to ensure everyone’s trip is as smooth and safe as possible.
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More information
To learn more about how InsideJapan is prepared now that travel is officially resuming, head to our Travel with Confidence page.
We have summarised the current government advisories of various countries below. To find out more, click on each header to visit the website for your location.
No quarantine, testing or locator forms are required for entrants from the UK, regardless of vaccination status.
U.S. Department of State - Travel.State.Gov
Earlier this year the U.S. Department of State changed their travel advisory for Japan from a Level 3: “Reconsider Travel” to Level 1: “Exercise Normal Precautions,” which was the level Japan before the start of the pandemic.
Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs now advises that you need only exercise normal safety precautions while traveling in Japan.
Government of Canada - Official Global Travel Advisories - Japan
The Canadian Government allows fully-vaccinated travellers to travel freely and avoid quarantine on return. Japan's risk level has been revised to "Exercise Normal Security Precautions" and vaccinated returnees to Canada will simply have to provide evidence of a negative PCR test within 72hrs and submit travel plans to ArriveCAN prior to their arrival. Please note that you may still be subject to random medical screenings on return to Canada.
To find out more about how specific airlines are operating their flights and their terms and conditions, visit the pages below:
British Airways - COVID-19 Travel and Service Updates
United - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Qantas - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Updates
American Airlines - Travel Updates
Delta Air Lines - Coronavirus Updates
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Latest Coronavirus News From Japan
Find out more about coronavirus related news in Japan and hear from our Insiders on the ground.
Read more > -
Inside Japan UK office
Inside Japan US office
Inside Japan Australia office
Inside Japan - Japan office
