##**May 2020 – Japan is closed to International Travel at this time. The State Of Emergency has been lifted, but this does NOT equate a re-opening of borders to International Travel. There is no indication from the Government that this will happen any time soon.**
##While the State Of Emergency has been lifted in Japan for all previously affected prefectures, we’d like to remind everyone that this does not equate to the borders reopening to International travel. We’d also like to mention that we’ve received many posts on the supposed travel reimbursement program by the Japanese Government for tourists, and there is no indication this will apply to International tourism, it appears to only be applicable to local tourists/domestic tourism. [**It has been confirmed by the Japan Tourism Agency in this article from The Japan Times, that it is only intended to help boost tourism among Japanese in Japan.**](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/05/27/national/japan-wont-pay-half-visitors-expenses/#.XtCSwDpKiUk)
**Please wait until official Government announcements are made and protocol established before booking or rebooking any flights, hotels, or other forms of entertainment for any future trips.**
**A backup of the original thread with minor changes is found in our** [**FAQ.**](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel#wiki_.22i_need_some_information_about_the_covid-19_situation_in_japan._what_do_you_know_at_this_time.3F.22)
**Please check [**here**]( https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/evs3f9/japan_travel_the_2019ncov_and_you_guidelines_on/) for the original post from when this situation began, and [**here**](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/fhamb5/japan_travel_covid19_and_you_guidelines_on_travel/) for the most recent thread from this event.**
##**CONFIRMED CASES UPDATE: 05/30**
>**As of this writing, there are 16,759 confirmed cases in Japan, 882 people have died.**
>**NHK News Japan has a graph of existing cases in Japan by prefecture** [**here.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/data/) This breakdown is provided by NHK Japan – not the english website, and this information is culled from the Ministry of Heath in Japan.
>[**NHK World, the english subsidiary of the aformentioned, provides further information and a link to the toll-free information lines for tourists in Japan, as well as daily updates to total infections and deaths.**](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/tags/82/)
>[**The Johns Hopkins CSSE map is another source for confirmation of cases in Japan.**](https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html) [This map](https://mhlw-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/0c5d0502bbb54f9a8dddebca003631b8) shows breakdown by location in Japan specifically.
##**TOURISM NEWS UPDATES**
**05/31** – [From The Mainichi – No Imminent Virus State Of Emergency For Tokyo, Fukuoka: Minister.](https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200531/p2g/00m/0na/044000c) Nishimura said many of the new infections were contracted at hospitals and that the people who came into close contact with the infected people have been traced.
**05/29** – [From the Japan Times – Japan Quells Rumors It Will Pay For Half Of Visitors’ Expenses.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/05/27/national/japan-wont-pay-half-visitors-expenses/#.XtCSwDpKiUk) Confusion over the Go To Travel Campaign, which is intended to stimulate domestic travel demand within the nation after the viral pandemic, apparently emerged after a media report initially said the program would cover half of travelers’ expenses.
**05/28** – [From NHK News – New Infections Prompt Closures In Kitakyushu.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200528_21/) Kitakyushu City in southwestern Japan has closed recently reopened tourist attractions and other public facilities after 22 new cases of coronavirus infections were confirmed there over a five-day period.
**05/24** – [From NHK News – State Of Emergency To Be Lifted For All Of Japan.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200524_15/) The Japanese government has decided to lift the state of emergency that remains in place in five prefectures. It plans to consult with its coronavirus advisory panel on Monday.
**05/22** – [From NHK News – IOC: 2020 Games To Be Canceled If Not Held In ’21.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200521_25/) Bach said, “We have to be prepared for different scenarios, and that all these different scenarios are under consideration.” He also said, “When we have a clear view on how the world will look like on July 23, 2021, then we will take the appropriate decisions.”
**05/22** – [From NHK News – State Of Emergency Lifted For Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200521_30/) 39 other prefectures had the state of emergency lifted last week but officials are urging residents to reduce contact to prevent a second wave of infections.
**05/21** – [From NHK News – State Of Emergency To Be Lifted In Kansai, Will Remain In Tokyo.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200521_02/) The rates for Tokyo and Kanagawa currently do not meet the criteria, although Saitama and Chiba do. The northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido also fails to meet the criteria.
**05/17** – [From Kyodo News – Japan Expands Entry Ban To Mexico, 12 Other Countries.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/05/0225fba263cd-japan-expands-entry-ban-to-mexico-12-other-countries.html) The other 12 are Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Kazakhstan, the Maldives, Sao Tome and Principe, and Uruguay. **Foreign travelers, including permanent residents of Japan, who have been to those countries within two weeks of arrival will now be turned away.**
**05/13** – [From NHK World – Japan To Lift State Of Emergency In 39 Prefectures.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200514_17/) Eight prefectures, including Hokkaido, Tokyo and Osaka, are likely to remain under that state for the time being.
**05/04** – [From NHK World – Coronavirus Infections In Japan Surpass 15,200.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200505_04/)
**05/03** – [From NHK World – Japan Set To Extend State Of Emergency Till May 31.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200504_01/) The ministers agreed to extend the state of emergency until May 31 on the grounds that the medical system remains severely strained despite the downturn in the daily number of newly confirmed infections.
>**04/29** – [From NHK World – Govt. Mulls Extending Emergency By About A Month.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200430_02/) Prime Minister Abe Shinzo said at an Upper House Budget Committee meeting on Wednesday that the question remains whether it will be possible to say on May 6 that the state of emergency is over. He said that prospect still appears unlikely, noting that cases of infection continue to rise.
>**04/27** – [From NHK World – Japan to Add 14 More Countries To Ban List.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200427_14/) As of Wednesday, It will ban the entry of non-Japanese citizens who have been in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Djibouti, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Christopher and Nevis, and Barbados within 14 days before their arrival in Japan. *This means you will be turned back on arrival in the country, regardless of Point Of Entry.*
>**04/26** – [From NHK World – State Of Emergency May Not Be Fully Lifted May 6th.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200426_04/) Medical experts say infections are not slowing as they expected.
>**04/18** – [From NHK World – Coronavirus cases in Japan top 10,000.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200418_21/) The tally now stands at 10,431, including people determined to be positive during airport quarantine checks, health ministry officials, and individuals who returned to Japan on chartered planes.
>**04/16** – [From NHK World – Japan To Shift To Nationwide State Of Emergency.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200416_38/) Officials plan to hold a task force meeting later on Thursday to officially declare a state of emergency nationwide.
>**04/07** – [From NHK World – State Of Emergency In Japan Has Been Declared.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200407_46/) Each area under the SOE will be allowed to enact their own rules during this time – but the aim is to keep people from making unnecessary trips or traveling at this time to keep the spread of the virus as low as possible.
>**04/06** – [From NHK World – “Japan To Declare State Of Emergency For 7 Prefectures.”](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200406_37/) Specifically: “Abe said the declaration will aim to help minimize person-to-person contact and to improve the healthcare environment. He stressed that lockdowns will not be imposed as happened in some foreign cities, suggesting that public transportation, supermarkets and other essential businesses in Japan will continue operations. Abe added that Japan’s response to the outbreak remains unchanged, namely to ask people to avoid closed and crowded places as well as close contact with others, while maintaining economic and social activities. He called on residents of the seven prefectures to respond calmly.”
>The 7 Prefectures involved are: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka.
>**04/03** – [From Kyodo News – Foreigners in Japan given 3 extra months to renew stay, due to COVID-19.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/04/504b65db2f19-foreigners-given-extra-3-months-to-renew-stay-due-to-coronavirus.html) “Foreigners who are unable to return home will not be treated as illegal overstayers for 90 days after the expiry date of their visas, the agency said.” – This does NOT mean you shouldn’t make every effort to return to your home country – as a State Of Emergency may be declared yet IN Tokyo, and that can affect many aspects of any time remaining.
>**04/02** – [From /u/ryandtw – Willer Express Bus service in Japan is suspending all services from April 4th to April 3oth, in an effort to help combat the spread of the virus.](https://travel.willer.co.jp/notice/detail/2020030901.html)
>**04/01** – [Japan steps up travel restrictions to include the USA, Canada, Britain, Greece and most of Europe. These countries are now included on the list of entry bans as of April 3rd.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200401_35/) More details on the restrictions placed on American tourists is included in [this helpful comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/fn9gul/covid19_weekly_discussion_thread_1st_edition/fm41jsw/?context=3) from /u/S3xyflanders.
>**03/29** – [Japan sets sights on re-starting Tokyo Olympics on July 23rd, 2021.](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13254665) Officials are hoping to make a decision on this within the next week or so.
>**03/27** – [Japan has cancelled visas for 11 more countries.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200327_17/) About 750,000 visas issued by Japanese embassies in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will no longer be valid from Saturday. They have also extended the current cancellations for ALL countries until the end of April.
>**03/26** – [Tokyo Residents are being asked to stay home as much as possible this weekend, to help prevent further transmission of the virus.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/03/e39372f773c0-urgent-tokyo-governor-asks-people-to-stay-indoors-this-weekend.html) Note that this is not a full ban on being outdoors, but as always we recommend you take care and follow CDC guidelines for handwashing and avoiding transmission, which would include getting some food, dialing up Netflix on your phone, and sticking as close to your hotel/hostel/Airbnb as possible.
>**03/26** – [As of midnight tonight, Japan will block entry to European travellers from 21 specific countries.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/03/cf658e0162eb-update1-japan-to-impose-entry-ban-on-21-european-countries-iran.html) We can safely assume this will be up for review as the situation evolves in Japan, currently this is expected to last until April 31st at the earliest. This may end up affecting Golden Week in Japan in early May, especially if the amount of cases in the major cities continue to increase as we have seen above.
>**03/25** – [Japan is preparing to block European travellers from entering the country in the coming days.](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/03/24/national/japan-avoid-travel-18-european-countries/#.XnruvmllDqv) This act means any new arrivals will be turned back at the airport and expected to rebook their return trip immediately.
>**03/25** – Wondering about the tickets for the Olympic Games since postponement has taken effect? A decision has yet to be made on this matter, and while it may be forthcoming it also may not work out in the favour of the ticketholder due to a clause relating to “force majeure”. [The fine print for the tickets](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13225119) states that “Tokyo 2020 shall not be liable for any failure to perform any obligation under the Terms and Conditions to the extent that the failure is caused by a Force Majeure.”
>The Terms and Conditions defines force majeure as “any cause beyond Tokyo 2020’s reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God, war, insurrection, riot, civil disturbance, acts of terrorism, fire, explosion, flood, theft, malicious damage, strike, lockout, weather, third party injunction, national defense requirements, public health emergency, and acts or regulations of national or local governments.”
>Please continue to monitor official Tokyo 2020 websites and this sub for information on if or when ticket refunds will be issued. It is highly likely that ticket holders will be instructed to resell their tickets on the IOC’s official ticket resale platform if refunds will not be given.
>**03/24** – [Tokyo’s Summer Olympics have been postponed until 2021 “at the latest”.](https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/03/529743138975-breaking-news-japan-pm-abe-plans-talks-with-ioc-chief-bach-over-phone-tues-source.html)
>**03/23** – [IOC’s Head Member Dick Pound confirms that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Will Be Postponed. Details will be finalized in the coming weeks.](https://nationalpost.com/news/world/covid-19-tokyo-2020-summer-games-have-been-postponed-due-to-global-pandemic)
>**03/23** – [Per the Japan National Tourist Organization website – On March 26th, the USA will be added to the list of 14 day quarantine on arrival in Japan.](https://www.japan.travel/en/coronavirus/) [Further details on those quarantine measures are included here.](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10900000/000610708.pdf)
>**03/22** – [The CDC has officially declared Japan a Level 3 Travel Advisory – Avoid All Non-Essential Travel.](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/coronavirus-japan)
>**03/22** – [In related news, the Japanese Government has moved towards adding all USA arrivals to Japan to the list of 14 Day Quarantine as they enter Japan.](https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Japan-to-ask-arrivals-from-US-to-quarantine-for-2-weeks)
>**03/22** – [The IOC recently held a closed door meeting on the possibility of postponing the Olympics, they will be giving themselves 4 weeks to decide if this is a feasible option.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200323_08/)
>**03/19** – [US Government has moved their Travel Advisory to a Level 4. All Americans abroad are urged to return home as soon as possible. All Americans with flights booked are urged to cancel their trips immediately.](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html)
>**03/18** – [Japan will now request tourists from Europe and related areas to self quarantine for 14 days on arrival IN Japan, as per the official directive from the Japanese Government. The 90 day Visa Exemptions that Europeans were privy to has also been suspended until April 30th.](https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page6e_000199.html)
>**03/18** – [Taiwan is also requesting anyone flying back FROM Japan, or completing a layover TO Japan from Washington, New York or California to complete a 14 day quarantine before continuing onwards.](
Wuhan Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Info [Megathread #2] from taiwan
>**03/15** – [American Airlines suspends all Asia routes from US, except 3 weekly flights from Dallas to Tokyo. This will be in effect from March 16th to May 6th, as per the linked website. Please contact the airline regarding refund availability.](http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/American-Airlines-Announces-Additional-Schedule-Changes-in-Response-to-Customer-Demand-Related-to-COVID-19-031420-OPS-DIS-03/default.aspx)
>**03/14** – [Airbnb has provided information on cancellations due to COVID-19.](https://news.airbnb.com/extenuating-circumstances-policy-activated-around-the-world/)
>**03/13** – We are beginning to see reports of train schedules being affected by the lack of crowds, and fewer travelers. Please see the comments from our users on [JR Hokkaido Limited Express Trains,](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/fhamb5/japan_travel_covid19_and_you_guidelines_on_travel/fkaha70/) [Nozomi Shinkansen,](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/fhamb5/japan_travel_covid19_and_you_guidelines_on_travel/fkdh5r5/) [and JR West and JR Kyushu lines](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/fhamb5/japan_travel_covid19_and_you_guidelines_on_travel/fke3g3d/) specifically.
>**03/13** – [Canada has issued a worldwide Travel Advisory to its citizens, locally and those abroad. They have urged citizens to cancel any planned international trips, or return home immediately.](https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories)
>**03/12** – [The US Government has moved to issue a worldwide Level 3 Travel Advisory to its citizens.](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-3-health-advisory-issue.html)
>**03/11** – [Narita Airport has posted a list of citizens that will not be allowed to enter Japan if they have been in the areas listed 14 days prior to their trip, as of 03/11.](https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/news/20200117)
>**01/31** – [The NHK has published an article reporting that JNTO has a phone number to call should tourists *currently in Japan* require assistance. We have reprinted the information below, and ask that you check the JNTO’s official website for any further information.
>”The Japan National Tourism Organization is offering phone consultation services for foreign tourists who are concerned about the new strain of coronavirus.”
>”The Japan Visitor Hotline offers 24-hour services in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. The hotline can refer callers who may be infected with the virus to the nearest medical institution. It also provides information on measures to prevent infection such as hand washing and gargling. The organization encourages foreign tourists to call if they have any concerns.”
>”The hotline number is 050-3816-2787.”
>Calling from Overseas? Use: +81-50-3816-2787
##**”What Are The Current Travel Restrictions To And From Japan?”**
[**Coronavirus-related Travel Restrictions coming FROM Japan/Worldwide are updated here by the IATA.**](https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm?fbclid=IwAR2WslrxafmyDs1xTrCFsdErfbjh646Bz6VypJDf-q_LZhX63nFhUOrZR7Y) **This list has become extensive, so we ask that you please confirm applicable restrictions BEFORE you depart.**
**Travel Warnings Arriving In Japan: As of April 3rd, many countries such as the USA, Canada, China, Korea, and most of Europe have been banned from entering Japan. Please see the relevant links in the new updates below for more information. As all International flights have now been rerouted to Narita Airport – please check the [official website](https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/news/20200117) for up-to-date information on Entry and Quarantine Restrictions by country.**