**PM Kishida has announced that visa-free individual tourism will resume from October 11, 2022, and that the daily cap on entry into Japan will be lifted ([Japan Times](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/09/23/national/kishida-japan-border-opening/), [Nikkei Asia](https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Japan-to-allow-visa-free-individual-tourists-from-Oct.-11)).** Tourists will need to be vaccinated three times or submit a negative COVID-19 test result ahead of their trip.
The mods have started this new discussion thread and have updated the information contained here and in our [megathread](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/x3ejwh/japan_travel_covid19_and_you_tourism_information/). This discussion thread is replaced with a new one every few days. The information in the previous discussion threads ([one](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/x3f3fv/japan_travel_and_tourism_discussion_thread/), [two](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/x7dnjc/weekly_japan_travel_and_tourism_discussion_thread/), [three](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/xbljop/weekly_japan_travel_and_tourism_discussion_thread/), and [four](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/xfv45n/weekly_japan_travel_and_tourism_discussion_thread/)) may now contain **out of date information**, so please be careful when reading through them.
### Tourism / Entry Updates
* Visa-free individual tourism will be reinstated on October 11, 2022. Tourists will need to be vaccinated three times or submit a negative COVID-19 test result ahead of their trip.
* It appears that [the same 68 countries that previous had visa waivers](https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html) will have them again starting on October 11, 2022, according to the way [Nikkei Asia phrased things](https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Japan-to-allow-visa-free-individual-tourists-from-Oct.-11), but this information will be updated when we know more.
* Until October 11, 2022, the current “unguided tour” system will still apply, which means you will need an ERFS and visa to enter Japan (see below).
### Important Points About ERFS Certificates and Visas (Required Until October 10, 2022)
* **[Japan began allowing tourists through pre-booked but *unguided* tours on September 7th, 2022.](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220903_11/)** The unguided tours will still need to be arranged by a tour agency for tracking purposes.
* Unguided tourism still needs to be sponsored by and arranged through a registered Japanese travel agency (or an agency in your own country that partners with a Japanese one), and it still requires an ERFS certificate and visa. **Independent travel without an ERFS or visa is not allowed at this date,** and the official guidelines state that your sponsoring travel agency needs to arrange all flights and accommodations.
* For more information about ERFS certificates and visa requirements, please [click here](https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page22e_000921.html).
* For information about visas, please [click here](https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html). Note that while residents of the US and Canada can apply for an [eVISA](https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index) in some circumstances, visas often still need to be obtained through your local consulate.
* **A friendly note about eVISAs!** Make sure to submit your application once you’ve created it. Once you create it, it will be in the state “Application not made” (you can expand the “Status” box using the arrow to check this). You’ll want to select the checkbox at the left-hand side of the row in your application list and click the orange arrow saying “Application” on bottom right.
* [These are the latest guidelines](https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001510138.pdf) (in Japanese) that travelers and agencies have to go by when it comes to guided and unguided tours. [This Q&A](https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001510889.pdf) (in Japanese) was released on Sept. 6 to help clarify the guidelines. [Here is the English translation](https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100321863.pdf) from MOFA. You will need to contact specific agencies to see what they are offering in order to comply with the guidelines.
### Current Tourism Entry Process (Until October 10, 2022)
1. Anyone seeking entry into Japan for the purposes of tourism must first obtain an [ERFS certificate](https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page22e_000921.html). This is an official document from a sponsoring agency (in the case of tourism, usually a travel agency) that is a prerequisite for submitting a visa application. It is a one-page document with information about the applicant, information about the sponsoring agency, and the name/address of the accommodation you’re staying at on your first night in Japan. You can view a sample ERFS [here](https://erfsjapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/erfs-img-724×1024.jpg).
2. After obtaining an ERFS certificate, you can submit your visa application. **All entry into Japan for non-Japanese citizens/permanent residents requires [a visa](https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html). There are no exceptions to this.** If you are from the USA or Canada, you can apply online for an [eVISA](https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index), and the process should take about 5 days from submission to visa issuance. If you are from a country other than the USA or Canada, you will need to get a visa from your local consulate (which often requires making an appointment).
3. You do not need a COVID test prior to arrival in Japan if **you have been vaccinated with three doses of an approved vaccine** (see [here](https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html), section “3. Quarantine Measures (New)). If you have been vaccinated with three doses of an approved vaccine, you should install and utilize the MySOS app, which will allow you to register your vaccine information so that you can [fast track yourself](https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/fasttrack/en/) upon arrival.
4. From the recent tourism reports we’ve seen popping up online, it seems like you will only be asked to present your passport, visa, and MySOS app (or COVID test results, if required) upon arrival at Immigration. That said, paper documentation of your visa, ERFS, itinerary, accommodation confirmations, and proof of onward travel are never a bad thing to have on-hand in case you are asked for them.
*(This post has been set up by the moderators of r/JapanTravel. Please stay civil, abide by the rules, keep it PG-13 rated, and be helpful. Absolutely no self-promotion will be allowed. While this discussion thread is more casual, remember that standalone posts in /r/JapanTravel must still adhere to the rules. This includes no discussion of border policy or how to get visas outside of this thread.)*
30 comments
Lets just pray there isn’t some new freak variant, but we made it 🙂
Any chance the Go To Travel discount program will be extended to include foreign tourists now that borders are opening? I know it was domestic citizens only before, but the borders were also closed then. Saving 30% on hotels during my trip in November sure would be nice…
Alright, the real question… book immediately or should flight prices drop?
Stupid question so I apologize in advance. I’ve seen that japan requires three vaccinations for entry or a negative Covid test. I know it’s very early and hard to say since this news was just announced. But does anyone have any history or knowledge to know if a j and j would count as two? Or would we need two boosters to count.
Trying to plan a trip from the UK in late May/early June 2023.
Current prices are around 6-700£.
Does this announcement make it likely prices will drop a bit, or should we be scrambling before they skyrocket due to demand?
Does this mean after Oct 11th, we no longer have to use a travel agency?
So I’m assuming there would be no reason for International ferries not to be running now right?
Such good news, had booked a trip to Tokyo back in January for this December in the hope of spending my 40th birthday there. Now don’t have to scramble around finding an alternative destination.
Woohoo! We booked flights for Spring 2023 last week in anticipation of today’s announcement, so this is all great to hear. It was disappointing having to to cancel our Spring 2020 trip (I was planning on proposing to my then-fiancée on the trip); but we’re married now and will be using this trip as our honeymoon! We’re definitely looking forward to it – time to make up for 3 years of lost ground!
Flight and accommodation for December-New Year trip booked 2 weeks ago at a relatively cheap price. Now I am afraid that by somehow they will try to cancel my reservations
I just bought flight tixs for Dec. Prices are already high and may go higher is my feeling.
Planning to go after oct 11. To show I’m vaccinated, can I just bring the CDC card and show it upon entry? Or will it be something more complicated than that?
Absolutely thrilled for everyone who was having visa or ERFS issues. My trip is after the deadline but I’m glad I got the ERFS and visa when I did solely because of hotel availability and prices. And the stress.
What a great day for travellers!
Now that it’s **finally happening!** I was wondering if anyone has any tips for traveling Japan with tattoos?
I’ve heard a lot of Onsens and gyms won’t allow you in with tattoos.. does anyone know any places that are tattoo friendly from personal experience?
Also – is there a consensus on the best company to buy JR rail pass through?
News I have been waiting for! Was going to go to the States in November now looks like I might have a better option. Just hope flights don’t go crazy.
Landing in Japan on Oct. 20, should I do my “my SoS” Covid app now? Or wait until the date is closer?
How expensive is traveling to Japan in December? Considering it now that its opening up.
Reposting from the last thread since some might also be uncertain:
I wonder how non-exempt countries will be handled after Oct 11 – back to old requirements or will additional restrictions (beyond vaccination) remain?
Am I ok to buy a JR pass now from my local (Canadian) JTB for a December trip? I want to take advantage of the exchange rate right now.
Stupid question: I want to bring some German beer for my relatives in Japan. I can only find information about 3 0.75l bottles . In total this would be more than 2l. Can I bring 4 cans each being 0.5l?
Are there any third party apps (Verifly/CLEAR/etc) that Japanese airlines accept for proof of covid vaccination?
Safe travels everyone! The best news this year!
So if I am planning to arrive early November in Japan.
I no longer need ERFS or a Visa? Just a passport would be acceptable?
I’m looking to travel for 6 months in Japan (North to South) and hope to either get 1: a visa extension for the six months (am from the UK) OR 2: do 90 days, leave the country for around a month and then return to complete another 90 days.
2 questions:
1 – is it difficult to get a tourist visa extension? I can’t seem to find any clear description of what the extension requirements are for a tourist visa from one of the bi-lateral country agreements for 6 month visits.
2 – Is a month long enough for Japan to accept my re-entry? I worry they they might reject me at the border having stayed for 90 days recently.
(Typing on phone so apologies for bad formatting)
Have they announced age requirements for the triple vaccination? I have a 3yo and 5yo who are double vaxxed but not triple, so wondering if they need to get jabbed again.
For first timers (I went with work once but it doesn’t count) on an 18 day trip with Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto (and possibly Hiroshima for a day) on the cards – is 9 days too much to allocate to Kyoto/Osaka?
The rest is dedicated to Tokyo I’m just wondering if 4 days in Osaka and then 4 days in Kyoto is overkill? (Purely based on looking at itinerary we had for our cancelled 2020 trip and the only thing we had listed to do was Nara, Hiroshima, and general exploring)
This is great! Perfect timing really. What does this mean for Indian citizens that might not be on the list for Visa waiver? Does the Visa process itself get any easier?
Wonder what happens now to the people that sent their passport to the UK embassy by post for the visa, I sent mine in Tuesday unlucky
For a 4 night stay in Osaka, via Shinkansen from Tokyo. Wondering what area is best or most convenient to stay in.
Is there any advantage for staying near the Shin-Osaka Station, to avoid the hassle of hauling luggage onto the regular trains down into the Namba area? Then taking the train into there daily?
Or do is it better to just stay in the Namba area? Or any other recommendations for area?
Anybody requesting an ERFS refund from JGA?