CAN I BOOK A JAPAN SKI HOLIDAY?
Can I book a Japan ski holiday is the question on many people’s minds as they contemplate their winter travel plans . Will I be allowed to visit Japan? And if not now, then when?
THE CURRENT STATUS OF JAPAN TRAVEL
Japan has been closed to international travel since April of 2020, at which time all foreign travellers were barred from entering the country. In early November 2021, Japan eased some of these travel restrictions by lifting the entry ban for short-term business travellers, certain foreign exchange students, as well as for foreign workers, though there were still daily limits on the number of eligible international arrivals per day, and a 3-day quarantine policy was still in place.
With the emergence of the Omicron variant in December, Japan closed up again, even to business travellers for a period of 1 month. In early January, the closure was extended to 2 months. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida just announced in mid February that Japan will begin reopening again from March 1st, allowing up to 5,000 foreign exchange students and business travellers in per day, and reducing quarantine periods.
This is a step in the right direction toward Japan eventually reopening for travel. Japan now is one of the leaders in vaccinations, with almost 80% of their population now fully vaccinated. Almost 1 million booster shots are being administered per day, in an aim to have the majority of the population inoculated with 3 shots in the coming weeks and months.
Photo courtesy of The New York Times
CAN I SKI IN JAPAN THIS YEAR?
As Japan continues to be a leader in COVID-19 recovery, it is likely international travel restrictions will soon be eased. With the current easing of restrictions, we are once again optimistic that borders will reopen to tourists at some point in the summer, and Japan ski resorts like Niseko and Hakuba will once again welcome international visitors for the 2022-23 winter ski season.
If you would like to enquire about Niseko accommodation or Hakuba accommodation bookings with flexible terms, please get in touch with us.
2022-2023 JAPAN WINTER SEASON
Some more positive news is that many accommodation providers plan to open 2022-2023 season bookings much earlier this year than usual. In fact, some vendors have already released their rates at the time of writing (February 2022) . This is great news, because it will allow those guests who have been itching to lock something in to do so at incredible early bird season prices, and while availability is still high.
BOOK EARLY
Availability
If you are in the position to be able to book early, do so! With so many restrictions in place, and the virtual impossibility of Japan travel over the last two ski seasons, we expect there to be an absolute flurry of activity for next season bookings, and you do want to make sure you are getting in early before peak availability books out.
Early Bird Discounts
Booking early for next season also helps to secure some of the amazing early bird discounts which will most certainly be on offer for the new season. Be one of the first to secure up to 30% off your 2022-23 Japan ski holiday accommodation.
To keep up to date with all new Japan travel developments, early bird specials, and booking opening dates, make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You can also get in touch with us at any time to enquire about your next Japan ski holiday!