Land of the Sinking Yen: Japan Trip Planning

After a long drawn out charade of will-they-won’t-they, Japan is finally set to scrap its remaining tourism restrictions and reopen its borders from 11 October 2022. 

Even though it’s one of the last major economies in the world to reopen, I don’t think Japan tourism officials will be losing too much sleep about wooing visitors back. The place practically sells itself, after all. Singaporeans are crazy for Japan; the running joke is that this December there’ll be more Singaporeans in Tokyo than Toa Payoh. 

While I’d have very much loved to be among the first to witness the biggest reopening of Japan since Matthew Perry, I’ve got another trip to New York planned until 20 October. This means I’ll only reach Japan on the 23rd, but hey, I waited this long- what’s another 12 days?

And with the Japanese Yen plumbing new depths all the time, who knows. Maybe waiting a bit could make your trip ever so slightly cheaper.

Travel to Japan: Pre-Departure Checklist

Visas

Japan has restored visa-free access for Singaporeans and nationals of 67 other countries, effective 11 October 2022. Singaporeans may stay in Japan for up to 90 days without applying for a visa.

Vaccinations

Japan has expanded its list of recognised vaccinations to include the full WHO Emergency Use List, which is good news for those who have taken Sinopharm or Sinovac.

Three doses of any of the following vaccinations, in any combination, will satisfy the fully vaccinated criteria (Janssen only requires two doses).

Unvaccinated children under the age of 18 who travel with fully vaccinated parents/guardians will be treated as fully vaccinated (refer to the bottom of page 17 for the source).

Testing

Fully vaccinated travellers will not need to do any pre-departure or on-arrival testing. 

Unvaccinated travellers must present a negative pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of departure. Prices in Singapore start from S$50 per person. 

Cheapest pre-departure COVID-19 ART and PCR tests in Singapore

Unvaccinated children under the age of 18 who travel with fully vaccinated parents/guardians will be treated as fully vaccinated, and exempt from testing. 

MySOS

MySOS FAQs

Travellers to Japan should download the MySOS app (Android | iOS) and register in advance. The recommended window is within two weeks and at least six hours before arrival, but you can submit your registration as early as you wish.

The benefit of registering beforehand is getting access to Fast Track, which will save you some time on arrival. 

MySOS registration is fairly straightforward, but still a bit of a hassle since there’s so many steps:

• Register account by providing passport number, date of birth and name
  • When prompted “do you use MySOS for the purpose of entering or returning to Japan” tap “yes”
• Take a photo of your passport 
  • You’ll need to wait until this is verified by the MySOS team before progressing
• Complete questionnaire
• Complete pledge
• Upload vaccination certificate
  • Upload the PDF generated by Notarise, or just take a photo of it

If you’re travelling with a child aged 12 years or under, you can register him/her under your MySOS app. All individuals aged 13 and older must have their own MySOS app. 

Successfully completing MySOS registration will give you a green or blue screen, which you will show on arrival in Japan.

In my experience, it took about 12 hours for my app to turn to blue after completing registration. 

Do note that if you’re a parent travelling with a child who is exempt from the vaccination requirement, your MySOS app screen will stay yellow. This is to be expected, as highlighted in 1-8 of the FAQs, and will not disrupt your entry into Japan. 

Flights

✈ Land of the Sinking Yen: Flights
SIN-NRT	NRT-SIN
SQ638 Depart: 2355 Arrive: 0800 (+1) Cabin: Economy Cost: 27,000 KrisFlyer miles + S$52	ZG53 Depart: 1510 Arrive: 2130 Cabin: Business Cost: S$865

A few months ago, I made a speculative booking for a Japan Airlines Business Class award to Osaka via Tokyo (my plan was to ditch the domestic leg) through Alaska Mileage Plan. This cost just 25,000 Alaska miles + US$50 in fees, and I felt rather chuffed that the reopening date lined up nicely.

Then the MileLioness told me she could tag along for Japan, and everything changed.

As hard as I searched, I just couldn’t find an additional Business Class award for the dates in question. Eventually I bit the bullet and gave up my Japan Airlines Business Class seat for a Singapore Airlines Economy Class red-eye flight (that’s true love right there), which cost 27,000 KrisFlyer miles + S$52 per person. I suppose I should count myself lucky that I could find any award seats at all, given the pent-up demand for Japan travel.

At least the return journey from Tokyo will be much more comfortable. I’m going to be flying ZIPAIR for the first time, Japan Airlines’ wholly-owned low cost carrier with a unique Business Class product. 

ZIPAIR has installed JAMCO reverse herringbone seats on its B787-8s, in a 1-2-1 configuration with all-aisle access. These full-flat seats are 20 inches wide with 42 inches of pitch, upholstered in leather, and equipped with individual reading lights and chargers. 

Can you believe it only costs 78,660 JPY (S$786)? I had to pay a little extra for meals, checked bags and seat assignments (no, I didn’t spring for the menstrual panties), but even so the total damage was only S$865.

This looks to be a very interesting review, and I can’t wait. 

Hotels

On this trip I’ll be staying at the Tokyo EDITION Toranomon, Japan’s first-ever EDITION hotel. This 206-room property was designed by Kengo Kuma (the mind behind the Olympic stadium in Tokyo) and opened in October 2020, boasting a jungle-like lobby, luxury spa, three specialty restaurants, and outdoor terraces overlooking the Tokyo Tower. 

Full disclosure: the stay is covered by HoteLux, a luxury privileges booking platform. I had a free choice of hotels, however, and the hotel is not involved in the review process. I chose EDITION because it opened during the pandemic and few people outside of Japan would have had an opportunity to stay. 

Getting a free HoteLux membership is simple if you have a World or World Elite Mastercard (and you most certainly do). Once registered, you can browse and book rates instantly through the HoteLux app.

HoteLux is offering a Stay 3 Pay 2 rate at the Tokyo EDITION Toranomon, which comes with standard luxury privileges benefits such as:

• Daily breakfast for 2 adults
• Room upgrade (subject to availability)
• Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
• US$100 hotel credit
• Welcome amenity

Other complimentary night deals for Tokyo are available at the following hotels.

Lounge

While I’m not looking forward to a seven-hour overnight flight in Economy, there is a silver lining: before boarding, I’ll be able to eat and drink myself into a stupor at The Private Room.

Yes, The Private Room. As it turns out, the MileLioness and I are returning from New York that very morning on SQ25 in Suites (separate trip report coming!). Singapore Airlines grants arriving First & Suites Class passengers same-day access to The Private Room, which means we can go home first and return in the evening to enjoy the lounge before our 11.55 p.m departure to Japan.

I wrote a comprehensive review of The Private Room about a week after it opened, but figure it’d be useful to do an updated take now that it’s had a few months to find its feet. Recent reports say the menu has been expanded too, and I’ll be sure to check that out. 

Review: Singapore Airlines The Private Room, Changi Terminal 3

Singapore Airlines previously announced that it will be resuming check-ins and departures from Changi Terminal 2 on 11 October 2022, as well as SilverKris Lounge operations. So I’m also going to take the opportunity to drop by, if only to see what (if anything) has changed since pre-COVID days. 

I know, I know. My expectations aren’t high. I distinctly remember the place being dark and cramped, and nothing compared to the beautiful new Terminal 3 lounge. But hey, at least now you’ll know!

In Tokyo Narita, my Priority Pass Card will give me access to the following lounges:

• ANA Lounge
• IASS Executive Lounge
• KAL Business Class Lounge

Based on the reviews I’ve read elsewhere, the ANA Lounge is your best bet. I’ve visited it before, but an updated review can’t hurt- especially since I imagine many of you will be using it on your upcoming trips to Japan.

Conclusion

It’s taken a while, but Japan is finally reopening to tourists (and I mean a proper reopening, not that organised tour group nonsense). I’ll be heading over in just a few weeks, and doing my best to provide insights on what you can expect.

What else would you find useful to read about in a trip report?