Travel

The Best Places to Visit in Japan Before Swarms of Tourists Arrive

Delayed reopening, weaker yen are fueling pent-up travel demand 

City of Kyoto and Kiyomizudera. 

Photographer: Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

After almost three years of Covid-induced border closures, Japan is finally opening up to vaccinated tourists from most countries, with no need for quarantine, PCR tests or visas. And with the weaker yen making hotels, restaurants and shopping more affordable, demand is sure to be high.

Airlines are ramping up flights and businesses are getting to receive visitors from Oct. 11. Even so, it will probably be a while before crowds return, especially with China restricting travel.