Resource on Japan’s current stance: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/09/1058685225a1-japan-to-balance-easing-border-controls-with-covid-countermeasures.html
JR EAST head calls for further easing of border-control measures https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220906_34/amp.html
▶︎ New ONLY in JAPAN channel with edited stories: http://youtube.com/johndaub
▶︎ Instagram: http://instagram.com/onlyinjapantv
▶︎ Twitter: http://twitter.com/onlyinjapantv
▶︎ Facebook: http://facebook.com/onlyinjapantv
▶︎ Discord: http://discord.gg/onlyinjapan (Our community online!)
SUPPORT the channel:
★ Patreon Postcard Club http://patreon.com/onlyinjapan
★ Join the ONLY in JAPAN * GO Traveler YouTube Group here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDsvL48jluG3tvlyurB4K3g/join
It unlocks the emoji and content for member’s only in the community space 🙂
◉ Media Inquiries & Questions: Please contact me through http://onlyinjapan.tv
ONLY in JAPAN ® is a registered trademark – All rights reserved.
John Daub has been a reporter for NHK World TV since 2008 and YouTube creator & producer of the ONLY in JAPAN ® series building a community of over 1.6M. Thanks for watching!
#onlyinjapan #japantravelupdate
49 Comments
Thanks, John for this video. My stepson has tickets to fly on Oct 10 and my husband and I are hoping we won't have to cancel. I saw a promising article on discord today that the restrictions may be removed as early as Oct 1 🙏🤞 We have his plane tickets and hotels booked. I am glued to discord but I am sure as soon as anything significant comes up, you will let us know.
Japan won't fully open until fall 2023 the earliest.
PASSWORD IS PATIENCE
Japan going keep slamming that door until it permanently stays open. The stuff thats around the corner… Im gonna hope im wrong and Japan has just as big eyes as I do.
Excellent advice, John. Indeed, if people want to be able to visit Japan independently without any restriction, now is NOT the time to travel. The longer Japan is starved of package-tour customers, the faster they will relax restrictions further. We’ve already seen some of this relaxation take place when the government moved from tour group to independent tour with no restriction a few weeks ago due to almost nobody signing up for those ridiculous tours.
I like the adopt a donkey add to start off! I think Japan probably didn't realize how much it depends on tourism. Like it or not it's needed. It has taken this to highlight to Japan's leaders that a lot has changed from the old ways and principles and there is no option but to turn over a new leaf. Before the economy is destroyed.
They don’t want some people illegally stay in Japan.
This is so frustrating John, We have already planned this coming December we will visit Japan. We were so excited when they announced that individual tour is already opened for tourists. But thanks anyway John for the updates. Still hoping that before December this will be possible. I miss Japan so much. 🍜🍣⛩️🗼🇯🇵
I'm done waiting, I'm going to scotland or Ireland instead.
American's are too entitled. American's don't discipline and honor. American's can't even wait for the signal to walk at a "cross-walk"__
The prime minister of japan has a poor approval rating and seems like it's falling even more
Japan is smart, never rush into things but still gets it done
the Japanese government is a joke 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
I thought on your live stream that Japan is open and you said we don't need to book group tour but now you have to book a group tour 🤔
I already booked November and December. I really hope I can come without any tours since I have traveled Japan all around previously using JR pass.
There have been a lot of articles over the Google news feed over the last 12-24 hours casting out hints that independent travel could be announced for implementation sometime in October. The common thread seems to be desire/pressure to make the country a lot more accessible in time for the fall leaves.
It’s time for Japan to move on with Covid matter as long as majority of their population vaccinated. What the government is doing has no sense at all.
Arriving Narita on 9/19 from Hawaii. Most crazy process in following Japan’s requirements for entry was doing the mysos! It took over 2 hours to figure out how to get it done. It even asked for my seat # on the flight to Narita ! I’m considering another trip in December but will not go if I have to go through all those hoops. Hope Japan will ease up!
What about visiting as a spouse of a Japanese citizen? I don't think there are any restrictions on travel or have to book with a tour.
October hopefully
Fax machines are still used in America too, I work for delta airlines and most airports still use it. Japan is fast, just the government is slow, not the the rest of Japan.
Just open up . We need to get visas like other countries and have to have vaccine.
I would like Japan to restrict entry to only areas/countries that are more understanding of Japan’s culture (including the need to wear masks). Tho’ I don’t think Japan would restrict entry to only certain areas/countries…not for long anyway. What will happen when they open their country up to everyone, and all these people who don’t believe in wearing masks, not talking on trains, etc. enter the country? For the USA, the majority of people no longer wear masks; and there are those will refuse to wear masks even if it’s required by Japan. Can Japan kick them out, or will they be stuck having these inconsiderate people touring their country?
It's counter productive for Japan to let their residents to travel out and back while placing restrictions on outside visitors. Infections are inevitable in that case.
Japan will be the last country to come around to OPEN UP….NO visa at embassy……return to Visa free 90 days stay like before….NO tour group…NO travel agent for buying ticket..NO NOTHING>>> just open…everyone else is.
I really want to go to Japan, the waiting has been so long. But, the future for Japan holidays looks pretty dismal to us from UK. Costs of flying to Tokyo gone up so much, average tickets for 2 ppl are 2000-2600 pounds. (used to be 1400 pound/2pp) I may have to wait for a long time to save up. Very sad.
after this , we need to know exactly if we need 3,,4,5,6,7 or 8 shots. I have some egg katsu waiting!😂✨🌎☘️🍺
Thanks for the info. Family and I plan to go back this December and I'm glad we didn't make any booking yet.
If it’s about mask wearing. They just need to in-force it. In Australia we were required to wear masks for a long time. Police we’re fining people who weren’t wearing masks out in parks!!! Even still we need to wear masks in medical clinics. A lot of people, here, still feel comfortable wearing masks in public even though the requirement has ended. For the gov’t to assume all tourists will be reluctant to wear a mask whilst in Japan is silly.
wanted to celebrated my birthday but will wait til next year
We use fax machines in the US. Fax machines will never go away.
I asked a few travel agencies. Some would offer pre-arranged self-guided package. Some would offer the flight and hotel but with high prices ("premium value"). Finally, I booked my own flights and hotel for November. I already have my EFRS with my own itinerary (the travel agency sent it to me in less than 12 hours). With these news, we will be waiting until october to issue our visa if it still needed. But now I'm hopeful that we can make it to Japan this autumn some way o the other.
I would also advised to check if the flights are actually active. I used to have a booking with Air Canada and the flight from Canada to Japan was not active. I have found some other flights with the same problem (usually they are the cheapest). They will probably start flying with more tourists, but for now is too risky.
If I were in a hurry to travel I'd just go to a different country.
11:33 that’s because it’s foolish at this point to wear a mask. If the mask would’ve worked then Japan would’ve stop the spread a long time ago.
Any tourist that doesn’t wear a mask in public in Japan is being disrespectful of their culture. I consider such people to be assholes.
I got eVisa and can't wait for my tour in October! As first timer I don't mind the group tour since is very focused on what I would like to see! Hopefully is not restricted where to go on my free 4-5 days by then!!
Rion is nice but his staff is rude! That's why i unsubscribed from his channel.
I like this videos but it great to get one from a family perspective. Don’t know if it’s me but when I see this videos I feel they are more focused on individuals or couples, but not from a family perspective. Not saying that this don’t apply to family but would be nice a family travel oriented video.
Rion is very nice youtuber. Thanks for the update
im coming back in 2024, u guys have fun 1st ok!
That apple phone really left a bitter taste in your mouth, didn't it? 😅
I’m going to Japan this November to visit my Japanese National son… and of course I need to get visa regardless of my passport which is not fair, is there any possibility that they could deny my application.? I’m a US citizen but regardless need to follow the rule… but not guarantee that they will approve my application 🙏
I think we are in the same wavelength. There's likely to be at least one more step before Visa Waiver will happen. Nothing in the news actually promises a Visa Waiver from any country. It merely mentions "considering" Visa waiver along with other easement measures and a decision will be made as soon as end of this week. As for speculating what the next intermediate step might be, I suspect daily limit will be removed along with expansion of the eVisa to more than just the U.S. and Canadian Citizens. That way, the politicians did do exactly what was announced–to do away with the quota and ease Visa restrictions after considering the Visa Waiver option.
This will buy some time for Japanese residents to get their updated vaccine. I also believe when Visa Waiver resume, it'll be limited to certain countries and even for those eligible, other requirements may be added which weren't in place in 2019. Maybe an insurance requirement to cover cost of quarantine, medical treatment, and change in flight plans if you should get infected with COVID.
I’m happy to wait before I visit. I want stress free travel & going into the unknown with Japan atm would worry me. Each country to their own….
My Spanish friend was able to enter Japan safely. She put up with it for two years, so she says she's happy now.
I am from the Philippines and yeah, we apply our visa via accredited agencies instead of going directly to the Japanese Embassy – so we may not have that privilege of going to Japan directly. I would prefer that our (take note speaking in behalf of my kababayans) visa (which I got in 2019 – for five years) be reinstated (a long shot actually).
I just went to Japan in Aug and will be flying to Japan again today I’ve been through the negative Covid test to enter in July and am fully vaccinated as of last Wednesday so I no longer require a pcr test and will be going back again in November I don’t really mind having to go through all of this cause it’s really not that bad so I do look forward to what changes there are in November this is my second visa and will be applying for my third I’m a former Japanese national and qualify as a child of both Japanese parents and my daughter is also a Japanese citizen she will be going for 6 months transfer in Oct for her work the only thing that I don’t care for is the air in Tokyo my allergies flared up when I was there also it was just too humid hopefully it’s a little better today than back in August love your channel by the way
Can anyone tell me if I will have trouble entering if I had mix covid vaccin, I got two shoot of Pfizer and one of Moderna?
I'm to waiting to next booking to the school. In waiting time I'm going to school to get the grade from Primary school. I'll finish at summer 2023