Back

Japan

COVID-19 TRAVEL INFORMATION
JAPAN
(Updated May 2023)

TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS
Several countries have imposed travel and immigration restrictions due to COVID-19. This is a dynamic situation and it is the responsibility of the customer to check all relevant travel advisories to and from the countries they are visiting and transiting through. Always check travel restrictions for each part of your trip; this includes layovers for connecting flights, as well as entry requirements for your return back to the US. Please note that the information provided in this addendum is based on the time of print/publication and a country’s requirements can change at any time. It is the responsibility of the traveler to check all updates and obtain all necessary documents and tests prior to departure, as well as entry back into the US. Peony Tours is not responsible if you are denied entrance for any reason in any country, even if you hold a valid passport and entry visa. Non U.S Passport holders - please check with your local embassy or consulate for detailed visa and travel document/entry requirements. If you need clarification on whether you may enter Japan, contact the closest Japanese Embassy or consulate, as well as your airline prior to travel.

All travelers to Japan departing on or after May 02, 2023 must ensure they are eligible to enter Japan and produce all required entry documentation for this vacation. Requirements and restrictions may depend on different factors including but not limited to: your country of residence, passport nationality, transit points, as well as previous travel history. The below requirements will take effect for all Japan packages departing on or after May 02, 2023 and are subject to change at any time.

PRE-ARRIVAL MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
All travelers must have the following documents for entering Japan

1. Quarantine QuestionnaireHealth Declaration Forms: Travelers could fill out and submit a Quarantine Questionnaire form and present the QR code on arrival. The form is per individual.

2. Verification of Full Vaccination or Covid-19 Testing (PCR and/or Serology): Effective date April 29, 2023 (JST), travelers are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test to enter Japan. We suggest bringing vaccination records if you are fully vaccinated.

3. Recommended Visit Japan Web Application: Travelers are recommended to register via email on the Visit Japan Web before arriving in Japan. Travelers could obtain QR codes and present each QR code at immigration and customs on arrival.
See more details - here and complete online

4. Mask Requirement: Travelers are recommended to wear masks in most public places and indoor spaces. This requirement doesn’t apply to travelers under the age of 6. All travelers are responsible to bring their own mask.

ARRIVALS - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (JAPAN)
● Upon arrival in Japan, travelers may need to go through a temperature measurement chamber.
● In the event a guest receives a positive PCR result, the guest may need to quarantine.
● Any unused tour feature either on air transportation or for land arrangements including but not limited to optional excursions/tours/meals, hotel accommodations and upgrades are non-refundable, non-transferable, or exchangeable. Travelers will be responsible for any expenses incurred (i.e - flight expenses, hotel accommodation, transportation, meals, sundry expenses and more).
● Travelers are recommended to wear masks in public places where social distancing is not possible. This mask requirement doesn’t apply to travelers under the age of 6.

BEFORE TRAVELING BACK TO THE UNITED STATES:
● Effective Sunday June 12, 2022 - Travelers are no longer required to present a negative viral COVID-19 test result for the flight to the United States. Please see CDC’s FAQ for answers to questions about the requirements for all air passengers arriving in the United States. *Important note: If you are unable to board your scheduled return flight to the U.S. for any reason, you will be responsible for any expenses you may incur (ie. flight expenses, hotel accommodation, transportation, meals, sundry expenses and more). Please note, Peony Tours cannot be held responsible if you cannot return as scheduled and will not be responsible for any related expenses.
“As of 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. For more information, see Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country.” - CDC

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
We’d like to remind all guests to check their local state travel guidelines regarding travel restrictions when arriving from international destinations or other US States, as this may vary state by state.
US State Department
CDC Travel Resources
WHO
U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Japan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

JAPAN EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
00 81 0 9079 615144

U.S. Embassy Tokyo
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 107-8420 Japan
Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000
Fax: 81-3-3224-5856
TokyoACS@state.gov

U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe
2-11-5, Nishitenma, Kita-ku,
Osaka 530-8543, Japan
Telephone: 81-6-6315-5900
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000
Fax: 81-6-6315-5914
AOK@state.gov

 
   
 

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP

  • As you prepare to embark on your upcoming Peony Tours journey, please review carefully the trip details that we provide you including hotel information, tour itinerary, and emergency contact number(s). Please make sure you have all travel documents, passports, air tickets, and necessary visas ready before you depart for your trip.

PASSPORT / VISA

  1. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the return date of your trip. Japanese law also requires travelers to have at least one blank page in their passport for entry stamps.
  2. U.S. Resident Aliens need both passport and Alien Resident Card for re-entry to the United States.
  3. Carry emergency contact person's name, address and telephone number with you.
  4. Keep travel documents, passport, personal necessities and valuables with you at all times. Leave a copy of the important documents to your family or pack another separately from the original itself. We suggest you scan and email a copy to yourself for easy online access. This will help speed up the replacement process.
  5. No entry visa is required for US passport holders for stays of less than 90 days. For detailed passports and visa information, all travelers are advised to visit the website of Consulate-General of Japan in:
  6. Peony Tours is not responsible when you are denied entrance for any reason at a foreign country, even if you have a valid passport and visa.

CONSULAR INFORMATION

  • The US Department of State provides Country Specific Information Sheets for every country in the world, as well as Travel Alerts and Warnings. Find this information by calling 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444, or online at travel.state.gov.

HEALTH / MEDICAL MATTERS

  1. For your protection and peace of mind, you are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance prior to departure.
  2. No required Vaccinations for guests traveling to Japan. However, it is important to familiarize yourself with any potential health issues or concerns related to your destination, and so we strongly recommend consulting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for up-to-date information on required and recommended vaccines and medications. Visit them online at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel or call 800-232-4636.
  3. Plan to visit your doctor or local travel clinic at least 4-6 weeks before departure to allow time for any vaccinations to take effect or to fill any prescriptions.
  4. It is advised to pack any prescription medicine in your carry-on hand luggage and make sure it is fully labeled.
  5. It may also be useful to bring aspirin, over-the-counter medicine for the flu, indigestion, motion sickness, etc. In case of illness during the trip, please immediately notify your tour guide for assistance.
  6. Please consult your healthcare provider for suggestions on prevention and treatment.

WEATHER

  • The weather in Japan is generally mild. But since the nation stretches for over 3,000 km from north to south, the weather is varied depending on where and when you travel. The average winter temperature in Japan is 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and the average summer temperature is 25.2 °C (77.4 °F). The main rainy season falls in June and July.

ELECTRICITY

  • The voltage in Japan is 100 Volt. The frequency of electric current is 50 Hertz in Eastern Japan (including Tokyo and Hokkaido) and 60 Hertz in Western Japan (including Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima); however, most equipment is not affected by this frequency difference. Leading hotels in big cities within Japan have two outlets of 110 and 220 volts, but their sockets usually accept two-prong plugs (Type A) only.

BAGGAGE

  1. Baggage is the sole responsibility of the traveler. Peony Tours welcomes our guests to bring one check-in luggage due the storage space on the bus.
  2. We recommend using a TSA approved luggage lock, a Peony Tours baggage tag showing the name and contact information of the owner, and the tour code. Please only use Peony Tours luggage tags for easy identification.
  3. No porter service will be provided throughout the tour. During the tour please keep an eye on your personal belongings and valuables at all times. Beware of your surroundings when going out on your own.
  4. Do not pack your prescription medicine, valuables, or other personal necessities in checked luggage. Keep these items in your carry-on bag.
  5. Consider packing one change of clothing and toiletry in your carry-on bag to avoid inconvenience caused by delayed or lost luggage.
  6. Power bank chargers over 20,000 mAh are restricted from carry-on and check-in luggage. Power bank mAh capacity must be clearly labeled by the manufacturer on the charger.
  7. Please visit www.tsa.gov for USA baggage restrictions.

CLOTHING / THINGS TO BRING

  1. Pack clothes according to the weather. Spring (Mar-May):lightweight jackets and sweaters; Summer (Jun-Aug):light clothing, short sleeves, raincoat or umbrella;Autumn (Sep-Nov): same as spring; Winter (Dec-Feb):wool and warm overcoats, suits, sweaters and jackets.
  2. All-season jacket, lightweight raincoat, umbrella or poncho, and comfortable walking shoes are must.
  3. Please note: shoes need to be removed prior to entering residences and temples in Japan. Since the temples have no heater, during winter time, we recommend you to wear warm socks when visiting temples.
  4. Charging cables for your cell phone, camera, camcorder, tablet, and other electronics.
  5. International travel voltage converter and adapter plugs.

ARRIVAL AIRPORT INFORMATION / CUSTOMS

  • At most international airports, passengers cannot be met inside secured areas. This includes Immigration, Customs halls and Baggage Claim. Your Peony Tours local representative will greet you as you exit these restricted areas; look for the person holding the distinctive Peony Tours signboard.

LANGUAGE

  • There is only one official language spoken in Japan, which is of course Japanese. However, many Japanese are able to understand English to a certain extent since English is the foreign language that everyone must learn as part of compulsory education.

TIME DIFFERENCE

  • The time difference between major cities in USA and Japan is as below:
    Los Angeles and San Francisco +17 hours,
    New York +14 hours

CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARD

  1. The currency of Japan is written “円”. Its currency sign is “¥” and is written “Yen” or “JPY” in English. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen and bank notes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen. The 1,000 yen bill and 100 yen coin are used often. In addition to being accepted by many vending machines, the 1,000 yen bill makes your shopping go smoothly at the cash register.
  2. The exchange rate is about 144 yen to one US dollar as of January, 2024. You can exchange yen at the airport currency exchange counters, hotels, or foreign exchange banks at arrival.
  3. Most department stores, hotels and restaurants will accept major credit cards such as American Express, VISA, and Mastercard. However, it is more convenient to use cash especially if you are planning to shop and eat in smaller shops. It is advised to inform your credit card company of your traveling and to confirm your credit line prior to departure.
  4. ATMs: You can withdraw yen from your debit cards/credit cards via ATM in Post Bank and Seven Bank throughout Japan.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

  • Based on two adults sharing one twin bedded room, double occupancy. Generally the hotel rooms in Japan are small, but very clean and comfortable. The hotels do not provide porter service. Passengers have to carry their own luggage.

MEALS / WATER

  1. Meals are specified in the itinerary including hotel breakfast, lunches and dinners at hotel or local restaurant.
  2. Tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Japan. Mineral water can be easily obtained from super markets, convenience stores and other similar places. Automatic vending machines are more widespread in Japan than anywhere else in the world. The machines operate 24 hours a day at all rest areas, selling soft drinks, cigarettes, and cup noodles.

INTERNET / TELEPHONE

  1. Telephone numbers in Japan consist of an area code and phone number. Area code for Tokyo is 03, Kyoto 075, Osaka 06, Kobe 078, Sapporo 11, Otaru 134, Moriota 19, Towada 176. Japan's country code is 81.
    • Call from Japan to USA: 010+1+Area code+Phone number
    • Call from USA to Tokyo: 011+81+3+Phone number
  2. In Japan, you can find many Wi-Fi signals which you can enjoy browsing. Free Wi-Fi access is often provided by cafes, restaurants, hotels, and convenience stores. Pocket Wi- Fi and SIM Card rental service is also available at the airport.

Tipping

  • Please note that gratuities are not included in your tour cost. They are customary and their purpose is to encourage and reward quality service. Our guides greatly appreciate any tips you would like to give them. Our recommended tip amount is $12 USD per person per day. Since a 10 –15% service charge is added to the bill at leading hotels and restaurants, no tip is necessary unless you request some extra special services.
    • Tour guide: $9 USD X 8D = $72 USD
    • Driver: $3 USD X 7D = $21 USD

JAPAN DETAILED INFO & EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER

  1. For detailed Japan travel guides and maps please visit: http://www.jnto.go.jp
  2. Emergency contact in Japan, please call Peony Tours' representative: +1-626-6773423, +1-626-677-3415

IMPORTANT NOTES

  1. Drive and walk on the left side in Japan.
  2. Respect other group members, your tour guides and drivers. Refrain from talking when the tour guide is speaking.
  3. Safety of travelers has always been our number one concern. For your safety, please bring the hotel's address card with you when you are out on your own.
  4. Always be cautious when staying at a hotel. Never allow strangers into your room. Keep doors locked at all times.
  5. Use the safes where available in your accommodations to secure your valuables, especially passports, medications, jewelry, money and electronics. If you must carry valuables, keep them on your person at all times. Be mindful of your surroundings and take extra caution in crowds.
  6. It is important to follow the indicated meeting time and meeting point. Use the badge provided by Peony Tours for easy identification.
  7. To make your trip as enjoyable as possible, allow enough time for flight check-in, security screening and boarding: 2 hours for US domestic travel, 3 hours for international travel, and even more on public holidays. In case of emergency, please contact Peony Tours immediately.
  8. USA / During Office Hours (Mon-Fri, 9am – 5:30pm PST)
    • Headquarters------------------------------626-289-2450
    • Los Angeles Office------------------------------626-289-1010
    • San Francisco Office------------------------------650-259-9983
    • New York Office------------------------------212-973-1998
  9. USA / After Office Hours-------------------626-677-3415; 626-677-3423

USEFUL JAPANESE PHRASES

ENGLISH JAPANESE
Hello! Konnichi wa
Welcome! Irasshaimase
Thank you! Arigatou gozaimasu
Excuse me Sumimasen
How are you? Ogenki desu ka?
I am fine. Genki desu
It’s good Ii desu yo
Good morning! Ohayo Gozaimasu
Good afternoon! Konnichiwa
Good evening! Konban wa
Goodbye! Sayonara
Cheers! kanpai
Delicious Oishii sou
How much? Ikura desu ka?
What is this? Kore wa nan desu ka?
Too expensive Taka sugimasu
I came from America Amerika kara kimashita

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING JAPANESE ONSENS

  • Japan is a country consisting of four major islands and more than 6,000 other islands, with many volcanoes and natural hot springs. When traveling to Japan, it is a must to visit a traditional Japanese hot spring (onsen). Some are indoors, some are outdoors. Whatever the case, they all come with some strict rules. To ensure your Japanese etiquette is up to scratch, here’s what you need to know before diving in.
  • Most hot spring hotels and ryokans provide yukata (a casual type of kimono) for guests to be worn during their stay. Be sure to wrap the left side of yukata “over” the right side.
  • Some Western style hotels provide yukata in guest rooms as well; however, the yukata at hotels are usually only intended as room wear and should not be worn outside the hotel room. Please check with the hotel first.
  • In most Japanese hot springs men and women bathe separately. The entrances are generally marked by half-length curtains, red curtains are for women, blue curtains for men.
  • Store your phone with your belongings in a locker before you enter the bath pool. Respect others, never whip out your phone and FaceTime others or snapping selfies around the pool.
  • It is important to wash your hair and entire body clean before taking your relaxing dip.
  • Don’t jump into the hot spring. Enter slowly when your whole body is accustomed enough to the temperature of hot water.
  • Do not get your hair, towel, or soap in the hot spring. The water must be kept clean. Large towels should be left in the changing room, while small towel can be put on the head when bathing. If you have long hair, tie or wrap it up!
  • Hot springs are a place for people to relax and meditate. Keep your talk quietly and at a minimum. Don’t splash, swim, giggle, stare, or do anything that may disrupt others.
  • Avoid the hot spring after drinking alcohol, intense sports, or immediately before or after a meal.
  • Some Japanese hot springs provide complimentary basics like shampoo, shower gel, hair drier, and combs. In this case, you don’t need to bring anything.
  • At traditional Japanese hot spring, clothing including swimwear and underwear is not permitted. Bathing naked is part of the Japanese culture.
  • Tattoos are a bit of a taboo in Japan. Most traditional Japanese hot springs forbid anyone with tattoos. However, this attitude is changing amongst younger generations today. If you have a small tattoo, try to cover it up with a bandage. If you have larger tattoos, check with the hotel first.
  • The time soaking in the hot spring should be about 10 minutes, and 30 minutes at the longest each time. And it’s best not to have more than three baths in a day.
  • After the hot spring, you can take a shower again to rinse off any oils, masks, and conditioner that may linger on your body, or just dry off with your towel and get clothed.
  • Do drink water before and after the hot spring.

CAN’T FIND THE INFORMATION YOU NEED?

Contact Us
×

Before Your Trip

Copy link

http://peonytours.com/en/info/beforeyourtripdetail?name=Japan

Search for a trip
OR