Is Japan gearing up for a full reopening after Covid-19?

The country is increasing its daily cap on visitors from 20,000 to 50,000, with some tourists soon able to explore without a guide

Tourists will soon be able to explore the alleyways of Kyoto, Japan, without restriction. The country's prime minister announced travel rules will change in October. Photo: Andre Benz / Unsplash

Tokyo Tower adds a splash of colour to Minato district in Japan's capital. Photo: Louie Martinez / Unsplash

The Fushimi-inari trail, in Kyoto. Photo: Lin Mei / Unsplash

Itsukushima shrine, in Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima prefecture. Photo: Nicki Eliza Schinow / Unsplash

Mount Fuji can be seen from Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi prefecture. Photo: David Edelstein / Unsplash

Oden restaurant offers home cooking-style, one-pot dishes in Tokyo. Photo: Guus Baggermans / Unsplash

Tokyo's street will soon be alive with tourists again. Photo: Rob Maxwell / Unsplash

Sakura blossoms hang over the Meguro River as it flows through Tokyo. Photo: Sora Sagano / Unsplash

Tokyo's vibrant Shibuya district. Photo: Jezael Melgoza / Unsplash

Kyoto offers a glimpse of traditional Japan. Photo: Sorasak / Unsplash

Japan's ancient temples, tranquil hot springs, cherry blossoms and futuristic skyscrapers could soon be open for more people to enjoy again as the country has further eased Covid-19 restrictions.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that non-escorted visitors on package tours will be able to travel to Japan from next Wednesday. Speaking at an online press conference, he also said the daily arrival cap on visitor numbers would increase to 50,000 from the same date.

That’s an increase from the existing 20,000 policy.

Both changes, announced on Wednesday, are a significant step towards moving the nation's border restrictions on a par with other major economies. However, tourists hoping to hop on a plane and explore the Land of the Rising Sun at their leisure will have to sit tight.

The new rules allow tourists from "low-risk" countries into Japan without the need to join a guided tour, but only if visits have been arranged via a travel agency.

These agencies are responsible for managing holidaymakers' schedules and travellers must book a complete package tour. They will only be allowed to visit or experience other attractions listed on the approved itinerary.

Holidaymakers entering Japan on package tours will also need to have medical travel insurance covering Covid-19 treatment.

Last week, authorities in Japan eased Covid-19 entry requirements with tourists no longer needing to show a negative PCR test result to travel to the country so long as they have received three vaccination doses.

According to reports, tourists travelling to Japan will have to follow isolation guidelines in place if they test positive for the virus during a visit. These currently include self-quarantining for 10 days or no less than 72 hours after symptoms subside. Two negative tests are required before travellers are able to end isolation.

A slow start to post-pandemic travel in Japan

As one of the countries with the strictest lockdown measures during the pandemic, Japan reopened in June just in time for summer travel.

In the first month, only 1,500 tourists visited the country, according to its Immigration Services Agency.

That is 95 per cent less than traveller numbers in the same period pre-pandemic.

The strict travel agency rules and compulsory guide are joined by visa issues as stumbling blocks in reviving the industry.

The border is currently only open to those with pre-issued tourism visas, citizens and long-term visa holders. Visa waivers for travel, which were in place before the pandemic, have not been reinstated since they were halted.

Before the pandemic, Japan hosted 32 million foreign visitors in 2019 and had been on track to achieve its goal of 40 million in 2020.

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