This new rules are stupidity dialed up to the max. John, you say this blue, yellow, red system is based on science? Which science, I have to ask? The official "science", or the real science? Lets be frank here, now there is enough evidence that we can say positively that the vaccines a) do not prevent transfer of the illness, b) actually most of the people that end up in hospital have been vaccinated, so vaccines do work – to make people more ill then without them c) considering a) and b), its obvious that admitting people with vaccines and without the test will lead to the increased spread of the sickness. So all this is simply ludicrous, and has no anchoring in any common sense or real science.

Hi – can you make a short version of this video? I wanna know what I need and don't have 1.5 hours. Ty!

Hi John, I am finding that it is a LOT more difficult than I expected to book flights via a transit (stopover) destination. Even if that destination is ALSO on the BLUE list. I have booked the Hotel in Japan already as you suggested. Eg. BNE-HND-SIN-BNE.

Do children under 12 years old need to have the 3rd (booster) shot? In my country, children under 12 only have 2 shots.

Thanks for being direct and telling people who have a problem with masks that Japan isn't for them. Indeed, they should backpack through Europe or elsewhere for now.

Philippines is not visa free?

JAPAN RECOGNISES ALL VACCINES RECOGNISED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO), FROM TUE 11 OCT

“<From October 11, 2022>… all returnees and entrants will now be required to provide either a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate (3 doses) of vaccines on the Emergency Use List of World Health Organization (WHO)…”

Wait a second…so if i arrive at 15:30 on Oct 11th does that mean i have to wait til midnight to get past customs in Japan without a visa?!?? I thought it meant it starts 00:01 am on the 11th? The way you are saying it means 00:01 on the 12th that Visa free travel is allowed?!?

I also got an eVisa for nothing. Oh well, super excited and I’ll b there in less than two weeks.

Hi John, do you know what the requirements are for children to enter Japan ? We are planning on coming in November. I have a 5 year old, I’m wondering if he needs to be vaccinated ?

Thank you!

Please dont talk about Japan as having a community mindset. I saw a 90 year old fall backward out of a train door onto the platform. Not one person got out of the train, to help. Everyone stood looking at this poor woman. My wife is Japanese and even she was discusted.

i hope japan will revise valid vaccine ….i 've got 2 dosis sinovac and pfizer as booster..

I have a 5 year visa that expires late 2023. I was informed that I need to re-apply. I see no logic behind such decision.

Fantastic news! Thanks for the updates over these last months, John, much appreciated.

My daughter and I just arrived yesterday on plane tickets bought in Nov 2021. Got the EFRS through an agency. There are no tourists yet! It’s kind of wild. We’re getting lots of looks and second glances, but generally well received. Thanks for all your amazingly helpful info along the way, John!

when will shipping resume in canada?

what happens if you get covid while in Japan?

Its interesting hot Italy is on Blue but the Vatican is on Yellow???

Any word on whether or not the 3 dose rule will apply to young kids? I have a 5 year old who just got her first does of the Pfizer and will get the second dose in 3 weeks time, but they don't subsequently then recommend another booster in such a short time.

I’m so ready for Japan I’m hoping to go within 2-3 years.

15:22 it says that 3 doses of a vaccine approved by WHO are ok. So Sinovac should be considered.

Portugal in the yellow? WTF? we have more than 90% of the population with 3 dose of vacination, more than JP or US and less cases than any, no mask mandate since April, guess JP->PT relations is crap and all those ambassador visits are just for photo ops hum! Guess the portuguese SEF needs to review the rules for Japanese nationals entries too!

México….woooow…cant wait 🇲🇽👍🇲🇽👍🇲🇽👍🇲🇽 thanks japan.

Great Job Travel Japan 🇯🇵 Amazing place

Do we know about children’s age limits for pcr test requirements or the age where kids require their own MySOS tracking app?

28/09/2022: Embassy of Japan in India has not yet started accepting visa applications, they say you need a proof of organized tour to get visa.

Booked my flights back in Feb – took a gamble. Arr end of Oct. Yay!

I have a question, might be weird. I've never been to Japan and I really want to go. I've done my best to learn some Japanese. Along with rules and things. I'm just scared that I'll get lost because I'm terrible with directions. Is there like a guide, (maybe not a tour guide) but someone that would just help me and my friend with directions? Basically someone who could check on us and make sure we're not lost or not where we shouldn't be. We don't want to be a burden. It's just hard for us to remember the Japanese alphabet. We will google translate most stuff. So they wouldn't need to read everything. Just simple directions to get where we need to go. (Or if willing to go with us. Not necessary) sorry if this sounded weird. Not sure how to put it. Thank you so much for your time

(Edit) my friend and I are willing to wear masks when needed. They never bothered us

We need to mask up even outdoors?

Lake towada beautiful in the fall.

I use world nomads.

This doesn't even feel real in a sense, I've been so used to not being able to travel to Japan that now when the news came I don't feel like the thought has sunk to me yet that I'm actually able to go there soon.

Portugal is in the yellow because the cases were pretty high when the list initially was made I believe. We were in mid B2 or so wave when that list was created originally.

How's mid January/February to travel to Japan? 🤔