Japan is finally reopening its borders on October 11, 2022. It has been a very long two-and-a-half years of no independent tourists and visitors. This past summer, there were two unsuccessful attempts by the Japanese government to open up in a controlled and Japanese way, which both failed miserably. In this video, Mike covers what happened since May 2022 when Japan decided to open its borders, and what has transpired over the last four months. Mike also suggests the best time to come to Japan in the next year and why. Lastly, he shares what to expect using the MySOS app which everyone entering Japan should download and complete in advance before leaving for the airport.
World Health Organization’s emergency-use list:
https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/agency/who/
Ministry of Health form for PCR Testing: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000799426.pdf
Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare website: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/b…
Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/v…
Sources: NHK evening news, Nikkei Asia
YouTube Channel page with #shorts and regular videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/MikeMatsuno
Other videos of interest:
Japan is Reopening to Independent tourists and visitors! (October 11, 2022)
“The Devil is in the Details” (Sept 7) Self-guided tours
“Breaking News from Japan! – September 7th, BUT…
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/.
#japantravel #japantrip #japantourism
40 Comments
Thank you Mike! With my flights and my favorite AirBnB place booked i can't wait to get back next spring! 😁
I despise the SOS app. It never turns green, nor doesn’t it give proper explanations. Luckily I’m a government worker, so it really wasn’t needed. But I’m worried, friends or family might have issues.
Thank you, Japan and Thank you, Mike…. I think this fall will be one of the best time to go…
Disappointed too many times: I will believe it when I see it…
Thanks for the update Mike!! I'm from Indonesia & see you in Japan soon
It was so peaceful this Summer, especially in Kyoto,… I guess that's gone now …
thanks very much Mike!
tq mike for the mysos step by step and
I’m so happy I have been holding a ticket for early December hoping travel will be back. It’s going to be a great time since it won’t be so crowded.
Yay! Great video! Super news….. your content is so informative, bright & asthetically pleasing ….thank you! ❤️
Can’t wait my favorite airplanes ANA again! Flying Japan in the near future.:)
I still need to apply for a tourist visa here because my country is not part of those list that are exempted to get a visa for a short visit.
i will be going end of November, looking forward.
Mike, I want to sincerely thank you for your extremely informative videos. Myself and four friends have been planning a trip to Japan and with all the updates from the government requiring guided tours/vacations, we were thinking our trip would never happen.
Months ago we purchased airline tickets for October 13th, and on 09/30 we were talking of cancelling. Then the government announced the opening on 10/11 and now our trip is happening.
We have still been getting conflicting info from our airline about quarantine requirements (we are from America, so that is irrelevant), so we have been very confused. Your videos have broken down every part of the re-opening and I am grateful for your expertise and information.
Thanks again, and if we see you filming when we're there, I'll buy you dinner. ☺️♥️🇯🇵
Thank you for the information and updates. Flights and hotels already booked. See you in April 2023!
Japan is reopening. But will foreign tourists be welcome by the local population?
This is all super helpful for my upcoming trip. We are going for our honeymoon and we are nervous about making sure everything is fine. You've given us a ton of great info please keep us informed of the changes!
4:25 Actually Japanese Health Insurance does cover for health related issues while on temporary travel overseas. The problem is that the payout is limited to what is the normal cost of care within Japan. So if you require healthcare that costs a lot more than the same treatment in Japan, you'll be required to pay the difference in cost in addition to your normal copay/deductible. I suspect that health insurance from other countries may also have travel coverage gut also may be limited to what is normal cost in that country so a similar problem can happen in reverse.
thanks for the breakdown ill be in japan on the 11th
That's great, but there have already been incidents of foreigners at the airports causing problems because they don't want to wear masks. Can you please just calm down and go with the flow, at least until you leave the airport? Also, don't concern yourself with whether or not other people have still chosen to wear them even if you don't. It's a personal decision. Do what makes you comfortable, but don't harass others. For that matter, don't harass others you see who might NOT be masked up. It's none of your business. There is no law saying you have to wear them one way or other, but some businesses might ask you to please wear one if you enter the establishment. Be a good guest and just humor them, please. Let's try to keep things peaceful while we finally start to phase out of the misery of the past almost 3 years now. Yes, the rest of the world has gotten on with normal life, but fighting the vast majority here who still want to wear masks would be like fighting any cultural difference. When in Rome, do as the Romans do is a good rule of thumb. Choose not to wear masks when you're outside and not in crowded areas, but don't make a scene. Locals often hate foreigners to begin with, whether they act politely to your face or not, so please just do your best to not continue to perpetuate the stereotype that we're all disruptive jerks.
I really like your videos! I booked my flight as soon as I saw your video. I’m now in the process of scheduling my booster (3rd shot) so that I don’t have to get tested before leaving because few sites where I live will sign the certificate for the PCR test, most places just send you a PDF 😢
I can’t wait to visit Japan again after so many years.
Thank you for explaining how the MySOS app works. I have a trip planned for November and I was curious of how I should make preparations for the app.
And do the Japanese people want them back Mike?
Are you talking about the fact vast majority of Japanese don't want the borders open?
❤❤❤
Flights booked for November! Wooohooo! Thanks for all the info and commentary.
allready got my blue screen, cant wait to come back end of october 🙂
Keep making vids man, they're really informative and useful 😇
Thanks the the info! Sadly, the event I usually visit Japan for (Tokyo Game Show) has already passed this year but I'm super excited to attend next Sep 2023. Hopefully by then things will continue to improve.
I'm holding a US passport, can I leave the airport during layover in Tokyo? Thanks
Thank you, Mike !
i welcome the chance to return to Japan this year, nov1 for 2 weeks is my chance this year. i got more than a few things i want to do that the tour group trip in 2019 didnt give enough time to stay at.
Open unconditionally ,but its not .
Thanks for the great information! Other than masks, is there anything else we should be aware of while in Japan?
Good news finally, however there is still many turn offs. The app, wearing masks all the time, and the limited amount of airlines that has flights there make the price for the flight costly. Havent checked the hotel prices yet.
is not fully open as before still have to do MYSOS application , Mask + Assurance then coming back when this Shit is Over !!! Miss U Japan ..
Flying into Narita on 17 October 🎉 Super excited 😜
Take care Japan be safe always
Arigato! Matsuno-san.
YES I AM COMING ON 14.10 TO TOKYO !!!!