One of the countries that we definitely can't wait to visit when it's safe to do so is Japan! We're missing its variety of halal Japanese cuisine, breathtaking sights and its culture. While Japan has been enforcing a travel ban to 129 countries since February till now, the good news is that they are planning to ease travel restrictions for 10 Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei ?
Even though our borders are still closed right now, this news brings us a step closer to travelling in Japan again. If you've been feeling wanderlust, don't worry - there's light at the end of the tunnel ?
According to the Japan Times, Japan will begin negotiations this month with Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore and Taiwan. It will gradually allow travellers from these countries as they have strong economic ties to Japan and have managed to keep the COVID-19 situations in their countries under control. Business travellers and international talents will be prioritised first followed by foreign students and tourists.
Last month, Japan already started relaxing travel restrictions to business travellers from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam. Travellers will have to submit a negative test for COVID-19 and their itinerary in Japan before entering the country.
P.S. Japan's JR East has just announced that it's offering up to 50% discount on shinkansen tickets till March 2021!
As Japan eases its travel restrictions, it's also increasing the number of COVID-19 tests conducted daily at airports. To accommodate the growing number of travellers, new testing centres will be set up outside 3 major airports - Narita & Haneda in Tokyo and Osaka's Kansai Airport.
Let's hope that our borders will reopen soon and that we'll soon be able to travel to Japan. If you're in need of some Japan travel inspiration, check out our useful guides on Japan: