Fantastic news to end the week – Japan has announced that it will resume visa-free entry for individual travellers from October 11. It will also be lifting its cap on travellers allowed to enter the country.
With today's announcement, travellers will no longer need to book flights and accommodation through a travel agency or go through the hassle of getting a visa. Why, it's almost like pre-pandemic times again.
Japan has been inching towards a full reopening for months. In June, the country began to accept tourist provided they enter the country as part of a guided package tour. Japan eased more measures earlier this month, scrapping pre-departure tests, allowing tourists to visit on "non-escorted package tours", and raising the cap on visitors from 20,000 to 50,000. However, short-term visitors still had to apply for a visa before making the trip.
The full reopening on October 11 will be welcome news for many – after all, Japan is the most considered holiday destination among Singaporeans. And just in time too, for us to head over to enjoy Japan awash in red and golden hues in autumn or its famously powdery slopes in winter.
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