An article just came out on the Japan Today website (8/18/22) that said “Over 100,000 foreign visitors came to Japan in July for the 4th month in a row.” I am sorry, but their title is actually misleading and in this video, I explain the facts of exactly how many foreign visitors/tourists/travelers actually came to Japan on a group package tour for sightseeing on a tourist visa in June and July 2022. I also share a thought about the popularity of group package tours among Japanese wherever they travel to. In the second part of the video, there are edited news clips from August 10, 2022, which was the two-month anniversary of the reopening of Japan to group package tours that will update you on the tourism situation happening now in Japan. Lastly, I show a cell phone video from NHK Ohaiyo Japan which gives a quick breakdown of the reasons that foreign visitors and tourists are not coming to Japan.
Japan Today website article: https://japantoday.com/category/national/over-100-000-foreign-visitors-to-japan-in-july-for-4th-month-in-row?
Sources: NHK evening news, Ohaiyo Japan morning show, NHK World
Other videos of interest:
Where are the group package tours in Japan?
What happened to the Foreign Group Tourists’ entry into Japan? (started June 10, 2022)
Best Rice in the World: https://youtu.be/QFyfOB6vyMs
Japan Bath: https://youtu.be/tPyJliDAm4Q
Japanese curry: https://youtu.be/FFseCI802R4
Please subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/MikeMatsuno
Mike’s website: https://www.goglobal.me/.
33 Comments
Mahalo Mike, your videos are the most informative about the current situation. BTW I’m in Honolulu and waiting to go to Tokyo. Can you give more information about the health insurance requirements.
Thanks for the update. Unfortunately the travel requirements are to difficult and strict to be enticing for most travelers. Hopefully the restrictions will be lifted soon.
And how many were US military traveling to visit family -first time allowed this summer in two years & newly stationed troops? I’m thinking a lot based on how many I personally know.
Don’t go there in Japan when you catch Covid . Lack of bed for Covid .
Welcome to North Korea 2.0
Thanks Mike! Am I dreaming if I believe the border will open by Oct 15?
Am an ANA mileage holder. ANA just gave us a survey to fill regarding our opinions on what our travel preferences are..I replied I would cancel my existing Japan flights / hotel bookings and go elsewhere for Autumn and December if Japan can`t handle independent tourists by November.. perhaps the results of such surveys are to show the government what real stats and preferences are.. ANA is the more dynamic/proactive of the 2 main Japanese carriers and it is likely they would do something about the survey stats.. And for those of you who can`t go to Japan, come over to Singapore! We got the Grand Prix end Sept .. you can pop by Malaysia or Bali after that.. there is also the World Cup.. relax in Bali ,watch the Cup games in a tropical resort this November!
Are we talking about Japan or North Korea?
Thank you for the update! I reacon we will see possibly Nov 2022 but I reacon for sure April 2023 Japan fully opening
I mean, i dont mind package tour. There are certain travel agencies that gives out enjoyable itenerary, but the options they are offering right now are outrageous and expensive!
Countries should close their borders to the Japanese until they open their doors. Fairs fair
So we have Japanese Tourist coming and going with no testing or vaccine requirement to Australia but can I go their as an Individual, NO. I thought Japan would be different than the rest of the world, but this is getting ridicules. Cheers.
Like other people said before. Japan is being rather hypocrit. You could almost stumble over the Japanese people in Zurich and Munich at the train stations. There seems to be no restriction to their travel. Perhaps 200k+ infections a day continuing for a month and their economy breaking down will change things.
I went to Japan on the 28th of July and stayed until Aug 4th with a tour group. I saw one other tourist group during the whole stay (at Akakusa Temple). There were very little tourists (Japanese included) at many popular spots we went (Nikko). Outside travelers were so rare that many of the shops we went pretty much forgot how to process tax refund.
At most places (Tohoku area) we went to, we were greeted very nicely though. The stores were not expect outside travelers at all and were very happy to see foreign tourists.
During our stay, I notice that outside urban areas people were somewhat strict on the mask rule. However, in Tokyo I saw a lot of people (Japanese included) that didn't seem to care about this.
Hey Mike, Do you think it were put to a vote " Should Japan allow foreign tourist, Yes or No? Which side would win???? How do you think Japan would vote?
I enjoy your videos. Keep them up! 😊
That's sucks
Thank you for your update videos about Japan Mike! I've been looking into it. Would you be able to list down the hotels and places that you've mentioned in this video? I would like to research more about them. Thank you so much.
My fiancee and I planned to spend 3 weeks in October in Japan, but only if we can travel individual. The prices are no reason for us, Japan is such a big wish on our bucket list that cost or effort don't matter. But if cannot go individual to the places we want to see is an absolut killer.
So as long as we have to travel in a group, we won't come. Very sad…
Nope I will respect and wait. Even though I wanted to visit, I have to wait for pandemic significantly decreased. I'll take this time to respectfully learn language and culture first. I just hope to pick a right tourist group that won't put me in a rude situation (without realizing) to the locals.
Man!!! Tell the citizens to rise up and argue the government, that its killing many industries!
So bizarre. Mandatory outside mask wearing? No independent venturing around? Is this North Korea or Japan?
Why nobody talks about the record numbers of infected people in Japan even though the borders are closed to foreigners? Why nobody is talking about pachinkos and Sunakus never getting shutdown during covid??? Foreigners used to be the scapegoat but now that it is clear that they weren’t, no NHK reporter is going to ask people on the streets about opening borders???
Nice work Mike
I've been to Japan eight times and do NOT need to be guided around especially since I know where I want to go and how to get there. The one benefit for me is that this has encouraged me to book tours to other countries in South and North East Asia. I won't be waiting for Japan to open up.
American Tourists are going to end up going to South Korea instead. K-pop culture is big with younger generations.
Good morning Mike is there any word when Japan will be open to all tourists not just group bookings
Yes the whole world is not afraid of Covid. Japan needs to wake up and understand it’s ok. And also the 72 hour pcr is bs. Why when I had Covid I had the sore throat for 2 days and was negetive and then became positive. So stupid outdated rule. Just open the borders and if not I think Japanese citizens shouldn’t be allowed to travel freely around the world.
@Mike Matsuno True. Essentially, they want any potential tourist to take an expensive packaged trip when it’s obvious that “going solo” is far more inexpensive. They want us to visit 4-5 star hotels and restaurants when other folks are visiting $20 dollar Internet cafes, capsule hotels and 7-11’s / Lawson’s / Family Mart’s!😂 I want to see the “Real Japan”, the place they don’t display out of embarrassment!
Eventually most people are just going move on and leave Japan in the past. And visit South Korea.
Eventually when they realize no one is talking about them or showing any interest in them then perhaps they will wake up. I suggest for all of you who arent happy about whats going on perhaps its time to move on and visit other places. The world is a big and filled with so many amazing destinations.
Tokyo to Osaka: A SEISHUN ticket experience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuleUCYQo5g&t=19s
How do you expect tourists to enjoy Japan with all its restrictions? No konbini, no foods of our choices and cant go out without guide? We travel to relax, not to stress ourself with the strict rules. Its not helping at all with all covid restrictions.
Mike can you tell us why JP has so many cases when the borders have been closed for almost 3 years now.