The Points Guy: Stop Believing Japan Is Reopening

Above, Osaka's Dotonbori in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Oh-oh! A discordant note has been posted over the "hype" over the reopening of Japan to foreign tourists.

This is from Bill Fink at The Points Guy. He seems to believe that we're being bullshitted (my words, not his) by the Japanese government and spells out why.

He starts with:

On Tuesday Japanese officials made the first official announcement about the reopening of Japan to tourists, with a series of “test tours” planned for the coming month. News outlets and long-frustrated Japan travel enthusiasts reacted with excitement to the news that the nation will finally welcome foreign visitors again.

However, this announcement seems to be another false alarm about the full opening of Japan to tourists. The Points Guy has been tracking other recent announcements, and with input from some industry sources about when the “real” opening of Japan might take place, has developed some recommendations for what sort of Japan travel planning you might be able to do now.

Don’t believe the hype

Over the past year, with semiregularity, Japan’s travel-related official and unofficial announcements, rumors and hints have given people false hopes that the country is joining the rest of the world in allowing inbound tourism.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s speech in London this month implied Japan would reopen for travel in June, but he walked back and qualified his statements shortly thereafter. While Japan has begun to issue business and student visas for visitors, tourists are still left at home hoping to finally take that long-delayed trip.

The Points Guy recommends:

The Points Guy recommends waiting on that Japan trip until 2023. If you do have an insatiable desire to travel to Japan as soon as possible, find a reputable organized tour that can ensure you get the access and experience you’re looking for in order to make the long journey worthwhile.

To read the full article, go here.