Scott's Cheap Flights Japan is officially reopening for tourism next month 🇯🇵🚦🎉

From: Scott's Cheap Flights - Monday Sep 26, 2022 01:34 pm

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Two and a half years after the pandemic began, individual American tourists will be welcomed back in Japan beginning October 11.

While the news is bittersweet for me personally—my reopening date prediction missed the mark by 6 weeks—this is stellar news for all of us eager to visit Japan again.

How to visit

Gone are the mandatory guided tours.

Gone are the daily caps on arriving travelers.

Gone are the visa requirements.

The primary requirement, which is still pending official approval, is that tourists need to be vaccinated-and-boosted, or submit a recent negative test. (Details still TBD on what kind of test and how far in advance. Confirm before your trip, but indications are thrice-vaccinated travelers will be exempt from having to get tested.)

In short, from October 11 onward, American travelers can arrive with their vaccine card or negative test on flights—hopefully cheap ones—they booked themselves.

Discounts galore in Japan

As if we needed more excuses to visit, there are two major discounts that will make visiting Japan even cheaper.

First, the US dollar is way up against the Japanese yen. Five years ago, $1 was worth ¥112. Today, $1 is worth ¥142, over 25% more.

Second, the government is launching a major travel discount program to boost the nation’s beleaguered tourism industry. According to the Japan Times, tourists will be eligible for hotel discount vouchers of up to $56/night and restaurant discount vouchers up to $21. There will likely be discounts as well on theme parks, sporting events, and concerts.

Recent Japan deals

Though Japan deals have been sparse in 2022 with the country closed for individual tourists, I’m hopeful this news will be a harbinger for more deals soon.

Some of the best recent roundtrip deals we found to Tokyo:

From San Jose for $471 nonstop, including Christmas (sent September 16)
From Los Angeles for $552 nonstop (sent September 5)
Business class from Los Angeles for $1,595 (sent September 16)

Ready to go? Read our guides to Tokyo and Kyoto to start planning.

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Pro tip:

You don't have to spend that long layover sleeping at Chili's

Many airports now have sleep pods available for an hourly fee, so before you commit to trying to covertly nod off in the lounge or another less-than-ideal public space, check to see if there are any available at your airport. A few that have them in the US include ATL, BNA, BWI, CLT, DFW, DTW, JFK, LGA, and PHL.

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