Starting October 11th, Japan will reopen its doors to visa-free and individual tourists. They are also doing away with their daily arrival cap.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the changes on Thursday during his visit to New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Japan has been notoriously cautious in reopening to tourists and has practiced strict restrictions amid Covid. Now, the island country is hoping to fully reignite its tourism sector by opening up to all visitors.
Japan may also introduce a nationwide domestic travel program that offers discounts on things like hotels, restaurants, and transportation. The program aims to help bolster the industries that were badly affected by Covid and can save people up to about $35 per night on accommodations alone, which can certainly add up.
Tourists will still need to be vaccinated three times or submit a negative Covid test before visiting.