After months of deliberations and small steps towards reopening of Japan to foreign visitors, the country has full reopened today to individual travellers. Anticipating a boom in tourism after over 30 months of near-total standstill, JNTO President has welcomed the move by the Japanese government.

In what is expected to bring a moribund industry back to life, the Government of Japan has decided to open Japan to individual travellers from overseas, about a month after it reopened the country to group travellers from foreign countries.

This marks the full reopening of Japan to foreign tourists and it comes over 30 months after there had been a total clampdown on foreign travellers coming to the land of cherry blossoms when the Covid-19 pandemic commenced in 2020.

According to a press statement, the Japan National Tourism Organization says it looks forward to welcoming group tour and individual travellers back to Japan with the long-awaited lifting of entry restrictions. These measures are long-awaited news for tourists around the world who have been looking forward to visiting Japan. “The Japanese government has at last announced the resumption of individual travel for tourism purposes and visa waivers. I am incredibly pleased to finally welcome back individual travellers after coping with the pandemic during a wait of two-and-a-half years,’’ says Satoshi Seino, President, JNTO.

“In response to the announcement, JNTO will be doing everything we can to provide you with the latest information on coming to Japan so that many tourists can visit and journey throughout our country.

So you can do more than take in Japan’s captivating culture, history, nature, and cuisine, we are also working hard on projects for sustainable tourism, adventure travel, and luxury travel. Japan is a highly attractive country not only for tourism, but also for international conferences and incentive travel. With the relaxed travel measures, Japan is fully prepared to host these events,’’ Seino adds.

He goes on to say that besides reveling in the many ways to take in the allures across Japan, now is a time when international visitors can take advantage of shopping opportunities. “Japan has been busy over the past two-and-a-half years with preparations to welcome back everyone. Come see the new Japan. We eagerly await your arrival,’’ Seino say, according to the press statement.