Japan has now significantly relaxed its COVID-19 travel restrictions. If you are thinking about traveling to Japan, you can check this regularly updated page and find out what you need to visit the country.
Below you’ll find information about the reinstatement of visa exemptions, vaccine and testing requirements, and other coronavirus measures in Japan.
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Can I Travel to Japan Now?
Yes, Japan’s borders are now open to all international tourist travel.
Japan has completely removed the entry cap on daily foreign arrivals.
Additionally, all visa exemptions have now been reinstated. This means that citizens of around 70 countries, including the United States and all European Union nations, can once again visit Japan for 90 days without a visa simply by using a valid passport.
To facilitate entry to the country, the Japanese government has introduced the ‘Fast Track’ electronic system to handle quarantine procedures.
The Fast Track Japan Web app allows travelers to easily upload COVID health documentation and generates a QR code that they can show on arrival.
From June 2022, Japan allowed international tourists to visit if they had a visa and were traveling as part of a group on a package tour.
However, in September 2022 Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that individual tourists could visit Japan from October 11.
Japan’s full reopening for tourism has been met with great enthusiasm from Japanese tourism industry operators, including the country’s 2 top airlines.
“We are extremely happy to see the long-awaited easing of restrictions,” said Shinichi Inoue, president of All Nippon Airways.
Current COVID-19 Regulations in Japan
Measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Japan are reviewed and updated regularly.
Japan lifted the state of emergency for all prefectures in October 2021. Restrictions have been eased significantly and restaurants, tourist attractions, and transportation are now operating, although with safety measures including mask use and social distancing.
More information can be found below.
Public transportation restrictions within Japan
Public transport, including trains, is operating in Japan. Travelers are advised to refer to Japanese train status updates issued by each individual operator to check if a service they plan to use remains affected by temporary Shinkansen COVID-19 restrictions:
It should be noted that obligatory use of face masks remains in place on most public transportation services in Japan.
Who can travel to Japan now?
Foreign business travelers and students have been able to enter Japan since December 2021. Individual tourists have been able to enter Japan since October 11, 2022.
All travelers should ensure they have a valid relevant visa for Japan (unless visa-exempt), a valid passport, and other necessary documentation to enter the country.
Rules for tourists
Individual tourists can now travel to Japan. There is no longer any need to book a place on a package tour.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno has said that roughly 80% of tourist arrivals can enter the country without undergoing testing on arrival or quarantine. On-arrival testing is no longer required unless entrants and returnees are suspected of having COVID-19.
While in Japan, tourists will be asked to wear a mask at all times. Although mask use is not obligatory outdoors in Japan, it is still recommended in crowds or when having a conversation at close quarters.
Japan travel restrictions and entry requirements
Japan still has a few precautions in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.
If you are eligible to travel to Japan now, you need to take some additional steps, as explained below.
COVID-19 documents for traveling to Japan
Passengers need to have a COVID-19 test to travel to Japan. Requirements:
- PCR COVID-19 test
- Maximum 72 hours before boarding the flight
- Certificate in English
- Negative test result
However, travelers who have been vaccinated 3 times are exempt from the pre-departure testing.
Travelers also need to complete an online health questionnaire to obtain a QR code. You can use the online Fast Track service to submit this questionnaire, upload your vaccination certificate or negative PCR test result, and complete a written pledge.
Quarantine measures when traveling to Japan
Fully vaccinated travelers from all countries, as well as those with proof of a negative COVID test, are now exempt from quarantine procedures in Japan.
Countries and regions banned to enter Japan
Travel bans for foreign tourists have now been lifted for Japan. Travelers can now visit Japan for tourism without having to be part of a package tour group.
Entry bans for Japanese residents returning from countries of variant concern have been lifted.
Japan visa exemption suspension
Japan temporarily suspended visa exemptions with most countries during the pandemic. However, nationals of visa-waiver countries can now once again visit for up to 90 days visa-free.
Check Japan’s visa and entry requirements for your nationality at the Japanese embassy.
COVID-19 Vaccinations Accepted for Entry to Japan
All travelers must present a negative COVID test or a valid vaccination certificate in paper or digital form to gain entry to Japan. The certificate must be in either English or Japanese, or accompanied by an English or Japanese translation.
Vaccines accepted by the government of Japan are:
- Comirnaty/Pfizer
- Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca
- COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna/Moderna
- Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine/Janssen
- COVAXIN/Bharat Biotech
- Nuvaxovid/Novavax
The certificate must show that the traveler has received 3 doses of an accepted vaccine or combination of vaccines. One dose of Janssen is considered equivalent to two doses.
National Japanese travel advisories
Check the up-to-date travel advisories for Japan regarding COVID-19 from your country below:
Japanese COVID-19 health and safety advice
Japan’s Health Ministry has stated that the two most effective ways to curb the spread of coronavirus are to frequently wash hands and use a face mask when out in public:
- You should wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Face masks must be worn in public. The mask should cover your mouth, nose and chin, and be disposed of after a single-use.
The US CDC has also advised any travelers to Japan to follow some other basic safety measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19:
- Avoid close contact with anyone displaying suspected symptoms of COVID-19.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you have fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, stay home and seek medical care by calling in advance.
- Monitor your health and practice social distancing for 14 days after returning to your country of residence.
The CDC defines Social distancing as avoiding group gatherings and crowded places and maintaining approximately 2 meters of distance from others when possible.
For the latest travel advisory and information about restrictions, please visit the Japan National Tourism Organization’s site.
The Japan National Tourism Organization has also set up a coronavirus hotline for tourist information available in 3 languages: English, Chinese, or Korean:
- From within Japan: 050 3816 2787
- If overseas: +81 50 3816 2787
