progol

What I read in the Washington Post suggests that tourists still need to be “sponsored” by an agent and accompanied by a guide, although a tourist d is not necessarily required to be within an actual group. It seems like a slow transition to independent travel, which hasn’t yet been implemented.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/trave...ons-reopening/

treybum2

I really REALLY have no desire to do a group tour in Japan. However, our son (US Marine) is now stationed there and we want...need to see his new baby, our first grandchild! I'm getting desperate and considering the guided tour thing since it might be a while before individual tourists are allowed into the country on their own.

I'd love to know about group tours people have been using. The costs I've seen have been pretty expensive and I'm guessing the flight prices are not included. Any tips, recommendations, and other info would be greatly appreciated! This would be our first time visiting Japan.

Mara

I thought I read that family members could visit US Service people stationed in Japan....have you investigated that? I did a search and an article from Stars and Stripes came up with information.

treybum2

I think it's something called a compassionate visit or something like that. There are stipulations that we didn't meet, unfortunately. However, I'd love to read the article if you have a link to it. Thanks so much for posting!

lcuy

You don't need to be on a group tour. You do need to have a guide, who will pretty much accompany you everywhere. Friends who just returned said this article is a pretty accurate picture of the current conditions in Japan.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/trave...ons-reopening/
I'm a subscriber, so not sure if non-subscribers you are allowed limited articles or not at all. Let me know if anyone would like me to cut and paste.

Mara

I can't post a link as it is a subscription only newspaper - but you should find it if you google 'visiting a us serviceman in Japan'. It's on stripes.com.

Wilk67

It has been announced that starting September 7th, tourists can enter on independent tours that are non-guided. Full details have not yet been announced (including whether travel insurance will be necessary). But this is believed to be the situation:

Essentially it is understood that it is being changed so that tourists just need to book their trip via a travel agent that is based in Japan (or a foreign agency connected to one based in Japan). Airline tickets do not need to be booked via the agent, its mainly just accommodations and/or day-trip tours and activities. Again, having a full-time (or even part-time) guide will no longer be necessary to enter. Depending on the agency, you can probably. make your own itinerary. The agency would then be responsible for the tourist while in the country if there is any issue with Covid (so they would provide telephone or online assistance and translation).

https://japantoday.com/category/nati...0-from-sept.-7

There are lots of agencies in Japan offering self-guided tours. A basic Google search will give a variety of providers.

Upon booking through the agency, the agent will give an official document called an ERFS, which the tourist needs to submit to an embassy to get a tourist visa (all countries for now still need to get visas, including ones which were previously allowed in via visa waiver like the US, Europe, Australia, etc). For people in Canada and the US you can submit the ERFS online to get an eVisa (this is a brand new system) but for all other countries you will need to go to an embassy or consulate in person (with an appointment usually) to get a tourist visa. It is believed that other countries will soon be offering the eVisa, but no announcement when.

Mara

I believe you are supposed to book hotels though the agent as well....not the least bit appealing to me as I like to move around and stay in inexpensive hotels like Toyoko Inn and Comfort Inn. Will wait til the old-fashioned type of independent traveling reopens. Plus I assume it will be a lot more expensive.....just saying....

crellston

Too little too late for me. Japan will not be back on my travel wish list anytime soon.

laurieco

I loved Japan both times I was there and will go back, but not until we can go independently and make all of our arrangements ourselves, as we did the other times.

mrwunrfl

1 usd = 140 jpy
Japan is on sale and no telling how long it will last. If the BoJ starts to increase interest rates then the exchange rate will drop. The inflation rate has been higher than the target rate for a few months.

If I could use one of those TAs like it was a lodging book site for some, but not all, of my stays then I would not have a problem paying a bit more for their service. Basically, I am willing to pay for the ERFS as if it was an entry fee.

I will have to find out more. I would use FF awares for the flights and prefer to use some hotel points and awards for some of the lodging I definitely would prefer to go when I can see the faces of the people,assuming more/most/all Japanese will stop wearing masks (unless they are sick) at some point. Would be nice to go before the tourists hordes return.

MmePerdu

On my return to the US from SE Asia in early Feb. I'll have a 12 hour stop at Haneda. I've been wondering if I'll be allowed to leave the airport or will I just be stuck, hopefully in a JAL lounge. I guess I'll find out but I'm not optimistic.

mrwunrfl

It occurred to me that a limit of 50,00 entries per day to Japan would amount to about 18 million in a year. That would count all Japanwese and foreigners. Japan had about 32 million foreign visitors in 2019. That limit means there would be far fewer foreign tourists than in the pre-pandemic recent past,

They expecft to administer a new vaccine in October.

Mara

Many posts on japan-guide's forum discussing this issue. According to what I read there the Japanese TA's have to make incoming and outgoing flight reservations as well as those of accommodations - at least at this point. This is for the 'independent' tours....ugh!!

mrwunrfl

yep

treybum2

Thanks so much for posting this video. I was looking for a way to subscribe to something that would keep me updated!

treybum2

Thanks for your post! Do you have any suggestions for finding a good travel agent?

treybum2

Agreed. My husband works for a hotel so we get discounts. No desire to use an agent

treybum2

Thanks for this helpful post!

mrwunrfl

Looks like the reopening will be October - according to several news reports on Monday. Lots of pressure on the govt to open up. Pressure coming froim businesses, domestic and international.

The yen shoiuld stay weak. The BOJ meets next week and is expected to maintain ultra-low interest rates. This is inteded to encourage more domestic spending. The currently low level of domestic spending is part of the push to open the country They want/need foreigners to come to Japan to spend.

The Fed also meets next week and is expected to again raise interest rates significantly. The combination of BOJ not increasing while the Fed increases interest rates should be good for the USD. I think it is the same situation with the Euro. Also good for the AUD, I think.

Also learned that Japan will be getting the bivalent covid vaccine in October, so maybe they will plan the reopening for November.

A few weeks ago, I booked an award ticket to arrive in Japan on November 1, betting that would be the reopening day.