Okaeri Japan Essentials

The must-see places for a first trip to Japan are:

1. Tokyo, the megalopolis with a thousand sides to it
2. Kyoto, the capital of sophistication and Nara, with its temples and deer
3. Hiroshima, between memory and modern times, and its sacred island Miyajima
4. Mount Fuji, Japan's most famous mountain
5. The Japanese Alps: Takayama, Matsumoto, Shirakawa-go
6. Kanazawa, both modern and traditional, on the Sea of Japan

And many other unforgettable places to discover in our tours.

It's very simple and easy, just book directly online through our website:



(1) Choose the tour of your choice, your departure date and indicate the number of participants. Several options are available to you.

(2) Pay a deposit of 35% of the total amount* online and confirm your reservation.

(3) You will then receive an e-mail confirming the conditions of your registration.

(4) Book your flight ticket, either with Japan Experience or by yourself (taking into account the necessary schedules for your tour)

(5) One month before departure, settle the balance of your booking.



For more information on the tours or to make a reservation, please contact our advisors on +33 (0)1 42 61 60 83 or at contact@japan-experience.com, or come and visit us at our agency in Paris.



* travel insurance and options included

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, ranked in the top 10 by the Global Peace Index.

Therefore travelling alone is safe. Women and girls can travel alone without fear of being harassed or solicited in public places. The same goes for children, who can be seen going to school alone in the metro from the age of 7. This can give you an idea of the country's level of safety. Last but not least, Japan is a haven for children: the safety, the amusement parks, the friendly attitude of the population.

All in all, it should take around 7 working days between the paiement of the tour and your visa issue.

There are several steps leading to the delivery of your visa:

1. After the payment, you will have to give a copy of your passport to Japan Experience, as well as the address of your first hotel and your flight number (if both not provided by Japan experience)
2. Then Japan Experience will issue by mail the Uketsuke Zumisho (受付済書), which is the document you will need to present to the Japan embassy/consulate
3. Go to the embassy or the consulate to get your visa done (please consult the site of your embassy/consulate : usually on the mornings, without prior appointment). Make sure to bring the following documents :

• the authorization issued by Japan Experience
• the completed visa application form you need to fill in. You can find the application form here. 
• your passport
• an ID picture
• 23€ in cash

      4. Come back to the embassy 3 to 5 business days later to retrieve your passport where the visa has been attached

It is not a group tour. You will travel with a guide especially privatized for you, no matter if you are on your own, 2 or several people of your family / friends.

There are 4 seasons in Japan.

Spring, from the end of February to the end of May, is a mild season suitable for all kinds of activities. It is of course the period when sakura (cherry trees) bloom, the perfect occasion to admire them (hanami). Their blooming period is between March 20 and April 10 for Tokyo and Kyoto areas, while it is possible to admire them earlier in the south of the country and later in the north. The cherry blossom period is very popular and generates a lot of crowds. However, there are other beautiful flowers that bloom during this season: plum blossoms, with their sparkling pink at the end of February; fabulous azaleas in April-May; hydrangeas of all colors or irises during June.

Summer, from June to August, is generally synonymous with heat with a rainy season in the last two weeks of June during which you can expect rain several days a week. During this very hot and humid season, it is possible to enjoy fireworks (hanabi) in July and August, as well as matsuri, traditional Japanese festivals. Among the most famous are the Gion matsuri, which is held in Kyoto in mid-July or the Obon Matsuri in mid-August.

Then comes the high wind season (taifu), which reaches its peak between August and September, but it is not necessary to avoid going during this period. Indeed, there is little chance that they will involve changing your travel plans, few of them even reaching the main island. 

Autumn, from September to November, is the season when temperatures are generally the most pleasant, quite similar to the continental European climate. It is also the season when the country is decorated with red tones and when one can admire the momiji (literally red leaves) which are usually visible in Tokyo, Kyoto and their region during the last two weeks of November.

Finally, winter, from December to February, is the coldest season but also the opportunity to admire the striking beauty of winter landscapes. December is a period of calm before the holiday season, while January is marked by a drop in temperature and the presence of a number of festivals. In central Japan, temperatures usually range from -4 to 10°C. In the mountains and the north of the country, temperatures drop significantly, while in Kyushu and Okinawa, winter tends to be milder.

The most touristic periods are : 

- in February, the 10 days around the Chinese New Year, which marks a strong influx of tourists from all over Asia;

- between the end of March and the beginning of April, the cherry blossom period;

- between the end of April and the beginning of May, during the "Golden Week", a period with many public holidays and during which many Japanese go on vacation;

- mid-August, during the Obon Matsuri;

- at the end of November, the best period to observe the momiji;

- early January, for the New Year, when many businesses and activities are closed.

 

So, if you want to go during a less crowded period, Japan Experience recommends you to go :

- in February, outside the Chinese New Year period, for the cool but nevertheless pleasant weather and the splendid blooming of plum trees, before the cherry trees;

- between mid-May and early June, to take advantage of the mild weather, lower traffic and the blooming of hydrangeas, azaleas and irises;

- from September to early December, to take advantage of good temperatures, a reasonable level of tourism and the momiji period in late November.

As of October 11, 2022, Japan will open its borders to all Europeans (including the European Union, the United Kingdom and Switzerland) and North Americans (Canada and the United States) without requiring a visa.

Only non-triply vaccinated travelers need a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to departure.

Do I still need a visa to travel to Japan as a tourist?

No, no visa is required for blue countries including all European countries (European Union, United Kingdom and Switzerland included) and North American countries (Canada and United States). List of blue countries: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html. If you have another nationality, please contact the Japanese embassy in your country of residence to obtain this visa.

Do I still need a PCR or antigen test to go to Japan?

No, if you are triple vaccinated with the vaccines approved by Japan (Pfizer, Moderna, ...exhaustive list here : https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page24e_000317.html) there is no need for any test.

I do not have 3 doses of vaccine or I am not vaccinated against COVID, can I enter Japan?

Proof of Covid vaccines is no longer required for travelers from "blue" countries. Therefore, unvaccinated travelers can enter Japan if they live in blue countries. But a negative PCR test is required at embarkation for travelers who are not vaccinated 3 times.

Is there still a quarantine upon arrival in Japan?

Quarantine and testing on arrival have been eliminated for travelers from blue countries.

Is insurance mandatory?

No, but it is recommended. Japan Experience, as an option of its tours, provides appropriate travel insurance solutions.

What anti-covid measures are still in place in Japan?

The mask must be worn indoors (except in exceptional cases) and in transportation.

What applications should I download before entering Japan?

For tracking the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic, the Japanese government recommends downloading several applications:

MySOS, the health and location tracking app (it will be used to confirm your location, health status and accommodation).

COCOA, the COVID-19 contact confirmation app (this will be used to notify you of possible contact with a COVID-19 positive person).

For more information, please visit: https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/manual/pdf-en/summary.pdf 

If you prefer a tailor-made tour rather than our pre-set tours, please contact us directly by email at contact@japan-experience.com.

As of today, you do not need to be vaccinated to go to Japan. However, on the way back home, depending on your country of destination, you may need a PCR test performed less than 72 hours or an antigenic test performed less than 48 hours before departure is required to return to the territory.

Please check the website of your embassy to have all the latest information.

Both trips are essentially similar and cover Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa and a one-day trip to Nara. However, Okaeri Japan Extended is more complete as it provides you two more days in Japan in order to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima at their best, including nights in a 3* hotel.

The mask must be worn at all times indoors (except at a distance and without speaking!) and outdoors only when speaking at a distance of less than 2 meters. It is mandatory to respect those rules while traveling, as well as health guidelines (e.g., regular hand washing and physical distancing).

Two applications are currently mandatory to travel to Japan:

1. MySoS, which can be downloaded on both Android and iOS. Various information must be entered just before departure, including passport number and negative PCR test. A vaccination certificate can also be added if available.
2. Visit Japan Web (Android / iOs / PC), to add your passport and PCR negative test.

In case of positive PCR, the insurance included in the tour refunds 90% of the tour price. A negative PCR test done 72h to 48h before departure is necessary to board at your departure airport.

Due to the current regulations, an insurance is mandatory to go to Japan. It is thus included in the base offer of the Japan Experience trips and covers cancellation before departure, on-site assistance as well as COVID protection.

If you have booked a flight to Japan, it means you can enter the country provided you have a visa. Since June 1, a maximum quota of 20,000 people can enter Japan per day but this is not a point of concern as such. In fact, this limit is rather about the number of slots allocated to airlines landing daily in Japan.