Vax/Test Rule Ends May 8
Japan to end all covid regulations for travelers
The government of Japan just quietly announced that the requirement for travelers to be triple vaxxed or present a negative test will end on May 8 of this year. Here’s the exact wording from the Japan Ministry of Health site:
Those who are entering Japan on or after May 8, 2023, will not be required to present a valid vaccination certificate or pre-departure inspection certificate, as the category of COVID-19 will be changed to a Class V Infectious Disease under the Infectious Disease Control Law.
You’re still strongly encouraged to use the Visit Japan Web app, but presumably it will only be used for immigration and customs declarations. So the long nightmare of closed borders, confusing requirements and crushing uncertainty is over - we’re nearly back to the days of simply buying a ticket and flying to Japan!
In other news…
Top 10 Japan Travel Hacks and Tips
I’ve just published a new page on InsideKyoto about my favorite tips for traveling in Japan. Give these a read - they will make your trip to Japan much better (and also save you a ton of money).
That’s me traveling light at Tokyo Station (Tip 5).
Here’s the list:
Don’t wait on line when you arrive in Japan
Buy a SUICA card
Use Japan’s luggage delivery services
Stay in nicer rooms in cheaper hotels
Travel light
Take taxis when it makes sense
Fly domestically
Stay at the airport
Eat at restaurant floors
Change at Shinagawa Station en route from Kyoto to Narita
For all the details, check out the full article.
Best Ryokan Near Kyoto
I’ve also just published an article about the best ryokan near Kyoto. They’re all within two or three hours of Kyoto and some have fantastic onsen baths. For all the details, check the full article.
Momijiya Bekkan in Takao, less than an hour from Kyoto
How to Make Japan Train Reservations
Finally, I just published an article about how to make Japan train reservations. You may not actually need to make reservations, but if you do, here’s how.
500 Series Shinkansen. Photo by Takeshi Kuboki.
That’s all for now!