Yokoso!

Start spreading the news
I’m leaving today
I want to be a part of it
Japan, Japan

These vagabond shoes
They are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
Japan, Japan

So, by now if you’re interested in Japan, you’ve heard the Big News: from 11 October, tourists will be able to visit Japan without a visa, and will no longer need to go through a travel agency. A cap on daily arrivals will also be lifted.
In other words, yay!


What’s the tourism environment likely to be after 11 October? We’re confident it will be fantastic.
One, Japan’s tourist-focused businesses have missed you badly, and they’ll be very happy to welcome you back. Unless you plan to arrive during a big Japanese holiday, during which there is plenty of domestic travel, hotels will be delighted to have you, and prices are excellent.


Two, due to China’s continued pursuit of its “zero-COVID” policy, tourists from that country will mostly not be able to take advantage of Japan’s newly opened border, and in 2019, mainland Chinese made up 30 percent of international arrivals.


In other words, Japan will be in no danger of being overrun by tourists after the border reopens fully.


So what next?


If you’re interested in planning travel to Japan, now is probably a great time to book an autumn trip. We also have plenty of clients (and friends) who think winter is the best time to visit Japan. The days are often clear and dry, with (depending on where in Japan you are) temperatures rarely below freezing, and visibility (thinking about those Instagram shots of Mount Fuji!) is spectacular.


Yokoso (welcome)!