When will Japan open for Tourists post Covid 19

[skichanger]

Time for a book on when Japan is going to open to tourists post Covid-19. This is the date they are opening not the date they announce they are opening.
Nominate a date. I will try to consolidate them in this post. Might need help from @Sandy
Closest wins.... prize yet to be determined.
Open to suggestions about the prize.
Yah got to be in it to win it!
Go!


Nominated dates


31 Aug 2022 @Annabuzzy
15 Sep 2022 @skichanger
23 Sep 2022 @snowgum
30 Sep 2022 @Kash
1 Oct 2022 @Tasjez
5 Oct @Neoh JH
28 Oct @Sandy
3 Nov 2022 @Neddy
8 Nov 2022 @hatto
14 Nov 2022 @hotsaki
21 Nov @Melskius
28 Nov 2022 @rikedwards
1 Dec 2022 @Schnaxxy Schnaxxlburger
4 Dec @Paradox
12 Dec 2022 @Breakbeat
17 Dec 2022 @Lady Penelope
21 Dec 2022 @M_G
23 Dec 2022 @Hyst
25 Dec @Goski
1 Jan 2023 @tot
15 Jan 2023 @LMB
22 Jan 2023 @DidSurfNowSki
26 Jan 2023
1 Feb 2023 @Balsta
14 Feb 2023 @SnowRabbit
1 Mar @KylePee
15 Mar 2023 @Stick
1 April 2023 @Tanuki
1 May 2023 @Asama
30 Dec 2030 @Chrisamberely

Prize suggestions:
Natto
Crickets,
Bee Larvae
Fermented Squid guts
Silk worms

 

[Annabuzzy]

31 August 2022

 

[Schnaxxy Schnaxxlburger]

Time for a book on when Japan is going to open to tourists post Covid-19.
Nominate a date. I will try to consolidate them in this post. Might need help from @Sandy
Closest wins.... prize yet to be determined.
Open to suggestions about the prize.
Yah got to be in it to win it!
Go!

30 September for the announcement
1 December for the opening

 

[Tasjez]

As long as it is before December 27th as that is when I am booked for
Thinking October 1st

 

[Balsta]

February 1st 2023 - Only because I have flights booked for the 2nd.

Hopefully it will be a lot sooner than that though.

 

[M_G]

Technical question. The date it will open, or the date opening is announced?

 

[Tanuki]

Hopecast: Dec 2022
Reality: Sakura / Cherry Blossom season in spring. They'll wait out the next winter to avoid the inevitable wave of covid.
Prize: Single Malt Yoichi.

 

[M_G]

Announcement will be on 15 October with borders opening on December 21, albeit still with restrictions.

By 24 December there will be several cases of Covid detected amongst foreigners and borders will swing shut again.

 

[currawong]

no idea about opening but the prize should be something for the true japanophile: natto

 

[SnowRabbit]

14th February 2023. The day after I'm due back in Sydney from my planned trip.

 

[CarveMan]

I am interested in this thread. My interest is an almost seven figure one.

 

[Donza]

Properly to Tourists ? With no restrictions .
Mid to late 2023. Pushing towards 2024.

I think they'll have some sort of soft weird opening Mid October/November . Similar to the June 8th announcement. However I still think tourists will be treated like second class citizens with a raft of silly restrictions.

 

[Crispy013]

Properly to Tourists ? With no restrictions .
Mid to late 2023. Pushing towards 2024.

I think they'll have some sort of soft weird opening Mid October/November . Similar to the June 8th announcement. However I still think tourists will be treated like second class citizens with a raft of silly restrictions.

Oh for sure. I can handle masks…maybe even submitting your full travel itinerary. Just please no group tour BS.

 

[Donza]

Oh for sure. I can handle masks…maybe even submitting your full travel itinerary. Just please no group tour BS.

It will be some wacky BS thing.
Then the Japanese will wonder why no one is coming?

 

[LMB]

This thread is so depressing! Because the negativity is totally based in historical actuality.

I’m gonna nominate January 15 2023. I hope earlier. I fear later.

 

[Donza]

Until Japan removes the Visa requirements. It won't open up properly.

That's not going to happen in a hurry i fear.

 

[Lucky Pete]

From someone who's entire business is tourism based in Japan all I can say if they dont do it soon, even just announcing a pre-season opening date, everyone will book elsewhere and even it eventually opens later this year many of us will be staring at severe financial stress. Personally we'll survive but many others who have been able to tread water the last 2+yrs wont. With that in mind Im not going to make a punt on this anymore.

 

[KylePee]

29th February 2023

 

[Hyst]

23rd december (2022 )

 

[hotsaki]

November 14 2022

 

[Donza]

From someone who's entire business is tourism based in Japan all I can say if they dont do it soon, even just announcing a pre-season opening date, everyone will book elsewhere and even it eventually opens later this year many of us will be staring at severe financial stress. Personally we'll survive but many others who have been able to tread water the last 2+yrs wont. With that in mind Im not going to make a punt on this anymore.

This is the shit thing for you guys over there.
We have mutual friends in Hakuba and I discuss this a bit with them.
It must be incredibly frustrating considering you guys are living a pretty normal covid life . Comparable to many places in the world.
Yet the restrictions the government imposes at the border just seems illogical and a massive overreaction.

 

[cold wombat]

This thread is so depressing! Because the negativity is totally based in historical actuality.

I’m gonna nominate January 15 2023. I hope earlier. I fear later.

Such a contrast to the hope casting for the season just gone.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world...

 

[CarveMan]

Interested in everyone's thoughts:

Poll - Japan regulars - if you can't go, would you ski elsewhere?

OK this is another one of my travel market research polls just to help understand the mentality of people so I can plan ahead a bit. @elSpike 's thread got me thinking as well. To say that my summer trade is reliant on Japan is an understatement - sure plenty of people ski in North America and...

www.ski.com.au

 

[rikedwards]

Fingers crossed for opening from 14 November 2022.

 

[Tanuki]

A month ago we were 100% prepped for Japan late Jan - early Feb, JAL Mel-Tokyo onto Yuzawa and Zao.
Wife is sick of the uncertainty so it's now off the table. Looking at Montana or Italy.

 

[Donza]

A month ago we were 100% prepped for Japan late Jan - early Feb, JAL Mel-Tokyo onto Yuzawa and Zao.
Wife is sick of the uncertainty so it's now off the table. Looking at Montana or Italy.

I think that would be pretty common.

 

[Donza]

My two cents.
Japan is a perfect two week holiday for many Australians. 10 days skiing.
4 days faffing in Tokyo or Kyoto etc.
14 days isn't feasible for North America or Europe.
Those destinations require a dip into annual leave approaching a month.
Which leaves scant leave for July school holidays, interschools etc.

 

[skichanger]

Technical question. The date it will open, or the date opening is announced?

In the OP. The day they actually open the border for tourists. Not the date it is announced

 

[Schnaxxy Schnaxxlburger]

A month ago we were 100% prepped for Japan late Jan - early Feb, JAL Mel-Tokyo onto Yuzawa and Zao.
Wife is sick of the uncertainty so it's now off the table. Looking at Montana or Italy.

I have a plan I’ve mentioned before - volunteering at the world alpine championships in Courchevel-Meribel in Feb 2023
that was going to follow a bit of skiing in Japan, currently booked for Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen
I recently got an email from the world champs’ organisers saying that they want people there somewhat earlier than I expected
so if I’m accepted as a volunteer, Japan will just be a week ie 5 days max at Shiga Kogen
still, I have options

 

[skichanger]

Hopecast: Dec 2022
Reality: Sakura / Cherry Blossom season in spring. They'll wait out the next winter to avoid the inevitable wave of covid.
Prize: Single Malt Yoichi.

Need a specific day not a month.

 

[skichanger]

Announcement will be in mid-October with borders opening in December, albeit still with restrictions.

By late December there will be several cases of Covid detected amongst foreigners and borders will swing shut again.

To broad. Need a specific date.

 

[Tanuki]

Need a specific day not a month.

April 1st.

 

[Sandy]

28th October opening, announced on August 1st.

 

[Marty McSly]

Oh well I suppose if I can't ski Japan in February 23 I can always get a knee replacement.

 

[skichanger]

This thread is so depressing! Because the negativity is totally based in historical actuality.

I’m gonna nominate January 15 2023. I hope earlier. I fear later.

My intent was to ad some humor to the ridiculous situation. You know the myth that Aussies will bet on anything Sofar being taken far to seriously.

 

[skichanger]

From someone who's entire business is tourism based in Japan all I can say if they dont do it soon, even just announcing a pre-season opening date, everyone will book elsewhere and even it eventually opens later this year many of us will be staring at severe financial stress. Personally we'll survive but many others who have been able to tread water the last 2+yrs wont. With that in mind Im not going to make a punt on this anymore.

I have the same concerns about both Japanese and Western lodge owners in my area. Add in snow damage from last season and it is a nightmare. So difficult,.

 

[yourmate]

Announcement late July/early August.
Opening October 1.
Some sort of useless requirement to temp check and test during 1st week. If it does not open in Autumn it wont open until Jan.

 

[rune]

I'll put in a hopeful guess and also go for December 1st.

 

[currawong]

are vax rates for older japanese people still low or have they caught up with other developed countries?

 

[Donza]

are vax rates for older japanese people still low or have they caught up with other developed countries?

I found these total figures.

• 1st dose: 103,733,788 - 81.9%

• 2nd dose: 102,348,805 - 80.8%

• 3rd dose: 78,308,494 - 61.8

Thats for over 65.

 

[tot]

1st Jan for me

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Sunday, 22 January 2023

If I win I get to ski with Sandy for the day.

 

[expatgm]

I recall about this time last year I was posting comments to the effect that Japan wasn’t going to happen for 2022 only to be subject to derision and insults from some here.As far as I’m concerned all bets are off. It’s their country they can do whatever they like.

 

[skichanger]

Fingers crossed for opening from 14 November 2022.

Already taken

 

[Donza]

I recall about this time last year I was posting comments to the effect that Japan wasn’t going to happen for 2022 only to be subject to derision and insults from some here.As far as I’m concerned all bets are off. It’s their country they can do whatever they like.

Its a bit of western arrogance imo.

 

[skichanger]

I recall about this time last year I was posting comments to the effect that Japan wasn’t going to happen for 2022 only to be subject to derision and insults from some here.As far as I’m concerned all bets are off. It’s their country they can do whatever they like.

It is not ok that people are disrespectful. You are quite right , it is their country and they can do what they like. But many would like to visit. This is just meant to be a bit of fun to lighten things up. After they day I have had, I certainly need something to cheer me up.

 

[Asama]

May 1st 2023

 

[TACKIE]

I'm going with spring 2023, 1st April. The overseas ski cohort don't have a great reputation in a few places. Unwarranted for sure, but a few bad apples etc.

 

[Breakbeat]

12 December 2022

 

[cold wombat]

I certainly need something to cheer me up.

I'm not entirely convinced this thread is going to cheer you up.