Japan reopens to tourists after two and a half years
One of the last major countries to lift its pandemic border controls welcomed back independent travellers at last.
Japan reopened its borders to independent tourists this October, lifting some of the strictest and longest-lasting pandemic travel controls of any major country, to the delight of travellers who had spent more than two and a half years longing to return.
The country, a dream destination for millions, had kept its borders largely closed to tourism since early 2020, allowing only limited, tightly controlled entry. The full reopening, which scrapped requirements for guided tours and visas for many visitors and lifted daily arrival caps, marked a decisive return to normality.
The timing was fortuitous, coinciding with the glorious autumn foliage season and a historically weak yen that made Japan more affordable for foreign visitors than it had been in decades. Travellers rushed to book flights and hotels.
For Japan's tourism industry, battered by the long closure, the reopening was a lifeline, and popular destinations from Kyoto to the ski resorts of Hokkaido prepared for a surge of returning visitors.
For travellers, the reopening restored access to one of the world's most rewarding destinations — a country where ancient temples and futuristic cities, exquisite food and profound tradition, natural beauty and impeccable service combine like nowhere else. After the long wait, Japan's doors were open again, and the pent-up demand promised a vigorous return of visitors to its shores.