All the prefectures are now opened up... How is that going to effect the 2 weeks isolation for tourist traveler's? thoughts?

[LovesTimone]

So as most of you know and for those that don't...

Our trip is planned for mid to late November of this year... We still have 5 1/2 months to go... We have airfare all booked and paid for... as far as everything else we have just been playing the wait and see game...

So now with all the prefectures opened up... I am wondering if our trip might still be able to happen... safely of course...

I was looking to see if there is some type of phased openings like here in the US... and I really can't find anything? Thoughts or a link would be appreciated...

Really wondering about the 2 weeks of isolation for tourist travelers... if this is something that they are going to lift...? Thoughts

As well as returning to the US and 2 weeks of isolation... which I really don't think that is going to be a problem,
the neighbor down the street just got back from London, her mom became very ill ( not virus related at all) and she went help her Dad take care of her... and when she got back I saw her at Publix and then again at Wal-mart, and at the pool in our community... One of the other neighbors asked her about it the 2 weeks and she said no-one told her, or no information was given to her to self isolate upon entering England or when returning to the US... She said that when she arrived in London, only about 50% of people were wearing mask, and because the plane was only about half full, most people did not wear a mask while seated, only when going to the Loo did everyone put on a mask... and when boarding and exiting the plane everyone did wear mask's then... she said most people going about their daily life for the most part did not wear mask.

So our bottom line... if we can safely travel and not have to wear a mask for the whole trip... Tokyo Disneyland is opened and we can get tickets... and the other tourist areas that we have on our list are opened... and we don't have to 2 week self isolate, which we can't do as we are only going to be there are 10 nights, plus travel days and we don't have to self isolate when returning to the US...

Then I think we have a shot at going... So what do you guys think?

 

[gelatoni fan]

Your trip is 6 months from now so it's unclear what the situation will be like. 6 months ago, the virus had only infected a few people in Wuhan. It seems like you already have a list of criteria for what you would require to continue on with your trip. Now, you just need to wait several months to see if those criteria are met and then make a final decision on it.

As for what I know about the current situation:
Pretty much nobody needs to self-isolate when returning to the US by law although some companies will ask employees to self-isolate. I believe in Japan, there is currently a 14 day self quarantine policy. You will not be allowed to take public transit but I believe you are allowed outside to buy food and they don't use tracker apps like Korea, Hong Kong, etc. Currently, travelers to Japan need to undergo coronavirus testing which can take hours so people have been sleeping on cardboard in the airports. I don't know anyone who underwent testing in Japan but in Hong Kong, the process from landing till finally leaving the airport area after testing takes about 10 to 11 hours.

Today, Japan announced that they hope to first allow business travelers in and want to reopen fully by the end of the summer. Ikspiari is reopening on June 1st which should be seen as the first step towards the parks reopening. I believe Ikspiari is doing temperature checks but not mandatory masks. I think the hotels also don't require masks so it seems possible the parks won't either. That said, most locals will probably wear masks which means people who don't wear masks will likely be breaking social norms. From what I've seen of San Francisco Airport, pretty much everyone wears masks on flights to Asia and some people even wear full body coverall PPE.

 

[Markolodeon]

Then I think we have a shot at going... So what do you guys think?

We just canceled our trip to Japan/TDR for this October-November. The main reason is the potential of a COVID-19 resurgence in the fall. Our hotel reservations were all no penalty cancel and United gave us a full credit voucher for another booking up to two years from now. Everyone has their own risk comfort level and for us pushing things out up to a couple of years is the best choice. Good luck with your decision!

 

[LovesTimone]

Your trip is 6 months from now so it's unclear what the situation will be like. 6 months ago, the virus had only infected a few people in Wuhan. It seems like you already have a list of criteria for what you would require to continue on with your trip. Now, you just need to wait several months to see if those criteria are met and then make a final decision on it.

As for what I know about the current situation:
Pretty much nobody needs to self-isolate when returning to the US by law although some companies will ask employees to self-isolate. I believe in Japan, there is currently a 14 day self quarantine policy. You will not be allowed to take public transit but I believe you are allowed outside to buy food and they don't use tracker apps like Korea, Hong Kong, etc. Currently, travelers to Japan need to undergo coronavirus testing which can take hours so people have been sleeping on cardboard in the airports. I don't know anyone who underwent testing in Japan but in Hong Kong, the process from landing till finally leaving the airport area after testing takes about 10 to 11 hours.

Today, Japan announced that they hope to first allow business travelers in and want to reopen fully by the end of the summer. Ikspiari is reopening on June 1st which should be seen as the first step towards the parks reopening. I believe Ikspiari is doing temperature checks but not mandatory masks. I think the hotels also don't require masks so it seems possible the parks won't either. That said, most locals will probably wear masks which means people who don't wear masks will likely be breaking social norms. From what I've seen of San Francisco Airport, pretty much everyone wears masks on flights to Asia and some people even wear full body coverall PPE.

Thanks for all your info...

I haven't read anything on the testing at the airports in Japan... ( can you tell me where to look so that I can keep up on what is really happening) I remembered something about in Hong Kong, and China... 10 to 11 hours stuck in an airport after flying all day into the next day... just the trip from Atlanta to Haneda is 14 hours, plus the connecting flight, and layover, and getting up early, travel to the airport, and all that airport stuff... that's not a great way to start a bucket list trip...

We have a friends that are planning on going to Japan in late August and are planning on taking the test here, then taking the paperwork with the negative results with them to show that they have been tested... I'm not sure if that will be something that would even be accepted, they think that it will be... they both work in healthcare, and have been tested twice already...

Like you said alot can change in 6 months...

I saw yesterday, Abe said that they would be welcoming back business travelers very shortly... early as June, so that it promising... As well Ikspiari... will be opening on June 1st, which is another good sign...

As well here they are basically saying that the vaccine will be out by the end of the year, or earlier... depending on which news or media outlet you are looking at or listening too.. We get the regular flu shot each year, and are going to get this vaccine as soon as it's available... I would hope that some type of paperwork for travel will be instated, showing that you have received the vaccine and are good to go...

 

[LovesTimone]

We just canceled our trip to Japan/TDR for this October-November. The main reason is the potential of a COVID-19 resurgence in the fall. Our hotel reservations were all no penalty cancel and United gave us a full credit voucher for another booking up to two years from now. Everyone has their own risk comfort level and for us pushing things out up to a couple of years is the best choice. Good luck with your decision!

We are flying with Delta, and as of right now the refund or voucher does not apply to our flight dates yet. I have called several times, and I get the same verbiage... over and over...

I wanted to ask you with your voucher from United, is it good for anytime? on any flight? seat class? any destination?
I ask this as our friends found out that the voucher that they ended up with has restrictions, I'm not sure if it was United or American... and that they were not aware of any restriction when they agreed to the voucher, they were told anytime, anywhere, and that's not what is happening now ... they wanted to use the voucher for flights at Christmas time, and were told that the voucher can not be used for the dates, destination, flight times that they wanted, so now they are trying to get their money back... she said that they are are going to be out just shy of 7,000 dollars... If they can't get the flights or their money back...she said that the only hope is the CC company, which is Amex... hopefully they can help them...

 

[Markolodeon]

We are flying with Delta, and as of right now the refund or voucher does not apply to our flight dates yet. I have called several times, and I get the same verbiage... over and over...

I wanted to ask you with your voucher from United, is it good for anytime? on any flight? seat class? any destination?
I ask this as our friends found out that the voucher that they ended up with has restrictions, I'm not sure if it was United or American... and that they were not aware of any restriction when they agreed to the voucher, they were told anytime, anywhere, and that's not what is happening now ... they wanted to use the voucher for flights at Christmas time, and were told that the voucher can not be used for the dates, destination, flight times that they wanted, so now they are trying to get their money back... she said that they are are going to be out just shy of 7,000 dollars... If they can't get the flights or their money back...she said that the only hope is the CC company, which is Amex... hopefully they can help them...

Excellent question! It turns out what United issued us is a travel certificate valid through May 2022. Not sure if it’s ok to post a link but a search for United Travel Certificate brings up all the details. As far as we can see the only restriction is it is limited to United flights only, so no ANA, but that’s ok for us. We won’t be booking another flight for at least a year from now, hopefully there won’t be any unpleasant surprises. I suppose one wildcard is what exactly is left of United in a couple of years.

I’m surprised Delta isn’t doing the same with certificates, I always thought of them as an overall better quality experience. United couldn’t have made it easier, canceled in the app and the certificate was emailed right away. Hopefully Delta will follow suit soon.

 

[gelatoni fan]

We have a friends that are planning on going to Japan in late August and are planning on taking the test here, then taking the paperwork with the negative results with them to show that they have been tested... I'm not sure if that will be something that would even be accepted, they think that it will be... they both work in healthcare, and have been tested twice already...

As well here they are basically saying that the vaccine will be out by the end of the year, or earlier... depending on which news or media outlet you are looking at or listening too.. We get the regular flu shot each year, and are going to get this vaccine as soon as it's available... I would hope that some type of paperwork for travel will be instated, showing that you have received the vaccine and are good to go...

I don't know about Japan but in Hong Kong, they don't issue a certificate for negative results if tested at the airport. You just get sent home. Not sure if you would in Japanese airports but if they go to a hospital for testing after entering Japan, they should be able to get a record of the test. Only some countries require health certificates and I don't foresee the US having something like this due to lax the US is. I also don't anticipate Japan having proof of vaccination requirements for entry since they are very rare and this virus has relatively low lethality compared to yellow fever.

We are flying with Delta, and as of right now the refund or voucher does not apply to our flight dates yet. I have called several times, and I get the same verbiage... over and over...

I wanted to ask you with your voucher from United, is it good for anytime? on any flight? seat class? any destination?

If the actual flight is cancelled by the airline, you'll typically be eligible for a cash refund. If you elect to cancel your flight (the airline doesn't cancel it first), you'll be under Delta's change policy. Right now, I think they've waived all the change fees for eligible flights. Since it's considered a flight change, some rules and restrictions may apply such as the 2 year expiry. While you should theoretically be able to pay for the difference if the new flight costs more than your original flight, you need to be careful if they have any fare class or destination restrictions (each seat class has multiple fare classes). I think that if you rebook to an eligible flight to/from the same airports in the same seat class, the fare difference is waived.

 

[LovesTimone]

Excellent question! It turns out what United issued us is a travel certificate valid through May 2022. Not sure if it’s ok to post a link but a search for United Travel Certificate brings up all the details. As far as we can see the only restriction is it is limited to United flights only, so no ANA, but that’s ok for us. We won’t be booking another flight for at least a year from now, hopefully there won’t be any unpleasant surprises. I suppose one wildcard is what exactly is left of United in a couple of years.

I’m surprised Delta isn’t doing the same with certificates, I always thought of them as an overall better quality experience. United couldn’t have made it easier, canceled in the app and the certificate was emailed right away. Hopefully Delta will follow suit soon.

Right now for Delta - The magic date is the end of September.... since our trip is in November our flight date doesn't qualify in time frame... and I was told if you cancel, if would be just like a regular cancellation, and we would lose our sky-miles that we used for upgrades... so we are playing the waiting game to see what is going to happen... so if Delta cancels or extends the date... we will/can get a full refund and our sky-miles back...

I talked to my friend yesterday and the CC company opened a case... she said that now they are playing the wait and see game...

 

[LovesTimone]

OP here,

So yesterday , I was scouting around... and now I pretty much back to thinking Japan is not happening this year...

From what I could find and read... It seems that they are planning on only letting is 3 or 4 countries come in with low numbers, and for business only... and something about you will have to be tested at the airport you are leaving from, then again once you arrive in Japan... and it could take 12 to 24 hours on both ends before you would be allowed to fly or enter the country... then only limited places that you would be allowed, such as place of business, factory's, hotel and corresponding restaurants, it seem you will have to have a plan ahead of time to have on record ... I wish I would have bookmarked the article... Sooo for a American wanting to visiting and do the tourist thing doesn't seem very likely...

Thoughts?

 

[mentos]

Hi all,

Jumping into this thread as we had a June 2020 trip to Japan cancelled (we were supposed to leave today, doh) and we are looking into November 2020.

We haven't booked anything yet - it will likely be on United/ANA as we will be jumping off from Honolulu after spending a week on the islands (barring a continuation of that 14 day quarantine mess).

My gut says November should be okay, but I'm not willing to put at-risk money on that wager yet. I'll follow-up with family in Japan and get their thoughts.

Didn't know this area of DISboards existed! I'm usually trawling the Anaheim/Disneyland and DVC subforums.

 

[LovesTimone]

Hi all,

Jumping into this thread as we had a June 2020 trip to Japan cancelled (we were supposed to leave today, doh) and we are looking into November 2020.

We haven't booked anything yet - it will likely be on United/ANA as we will be jumping off from Honolulu after spending a week on the islands (barring a continuation of that 14 day quarantine mess).

My gut says November should be okay, but I'm not willing to put at-risk money on that wager yet. I'll follow-up with family in Japan and get their thoughts.

Didn't know this area of DISboards existed! I'm usually trawling the Anaheim/Disneyland and DVC subforums.

OP here,

Hi and Welcome...

I would be totally interested in hearing what your family in Japan has to say... We have given ourselves a date to make a decision.. Our trip time is mid to late November as well.

Our neighbor has what they consider family living in Shibuya... and we get reports on how things are going from their perspective... I haven't gotten a update from the neighbor in a while...

Please keep us posted on what you find out...

Thanks.. and Welcome again...

 

[wishing4PA]

From what I could find and read... It seems that they are planning on only letting is 3 or 4 countries come in with low numbers, and for business only... and something about you will have to be tested at the airport you are leaving from, then again once you arrive in Japan... and it could take 12 to 24 hours on both ends before you would be allowed to fly or enter the country... then only limited places that you would be allowed, such as place of business, factory's, hotel and corresponding restaurants, it seem you will have to have a plan ahead of time to have on record ... I wish I would have bookmarked the article... Sooo for a American wanting to visiting and do the tourist thing doesn't seem very likely...

Thoughts?

That sounds exactly like the article I read, and also didn't save. My thoughts: it's their phase 1 reopening, whether called that or not. I'd guess that will hold through July at least. But I can't begin to guess about November. I'd really love to reschedule for December, but everything seems so iffy.

 

[LovesTimone]

That sounds exactly like the article I read, and also didn't save. My thoughts: it's their phase 1 reopening, whether called that or not. I'd guess that will hold through July at least. But I can't begin to guess about November. I'd really love to reschedule for December, but everything seems so iffy.

I total agree, iffy is a good description...

I am going to call Delta this week, and see what can be done... We are almost mid-way through June... I just can't see right now..how by mid-November, they would be opening up for tourist travelers...

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Markolodeon]

I total agree, iffy is a good description...

I am going to call Delta this week, and see what can be done... We are almost mid-way through June... I just can't see right now..how by mid-November, they would be opening up for tourist travelers...

Anyone have any thoughts?

We have a friend in Tokyo who helps plan our trips to Japan. A couple of months back I expressed hope things would be better by the fall and her response was “Mark, this is a long distance marathon, not a sprint.” And she is very much in favor of our subsequent decision to postpone our trip to fall 2022. Kind of harsh words but what we needed to hear help put things in perspective. Personally I think it will be a miracle if the summer Olympics are not postponed until 2022 as well. Hope this helps!

 

[LovesTimone]

We have a friend in Tokyo who helps plan our trips to Japan. A couple of months back I expressed hope things would be better by the fall and her response was “Mark, this is a long distance marathon, not a sprint.” And she is very much in favor of our subsequent decision to postpone our trip to fall 2022. Kind of harsh words but what we needed to hear help put things in perspective. Personally I think it will be a miracle if the summer Olympics are not postponed until 2022 as well. Hope this helps!

I was thinking the same thing about the summer Olympics... will they - won't they - happen...?

I will post when I finally can get a clear answer from Delta... I want our money back... which I don't think is going to happen... I really don't trust a travel voucher or whatever... they come with restrictions, as some of our friends are finding out... one friend has 7,000 in airfare voucher's that they are having problems using when they want to use them... while the voucher isn't with Delta it makes me leery of this type of offer...

thoughts? anyone?

 

[Shock13]

Hello, for the past month or so I've been looking at visiting TDR in November as well. I went last year in May but wanted to see the parks in Christmas decor this year. I thought for sure things would look good for a visit 5 months from now but it seems Japan is being super cautious about opening up. I have the option of moving the trip to April 2021 which would be great but was hoping to go when I could experience a different seasonal event.

 

[LovesTimone]

Hello, for the past month or so I've been looking at visiting TDR in November as well. I went last year in May but wanted to see the parks in Christmas decor this year. I thought for sure things would look good for a visit 5 months from now but it seems Japan is being super cautious about opening up. I have the option of moving the trip to April 2021 which would be great but was hoping to go when I could experience a different seasonal event.

Hi, One of the main reasons we picked this time or year is so that we could enjoy the parks dressed up for Christmas... When we were at Disneyland Paris and it was dress up for Easter... it was just sooo cute... as well as the weather... We like to travel when its cooler out, living here in Florida we deal with miserable weather daily... so its nice to be able to tour and do some sightseeing with out melting...

If we don't go this year it, going to Japan will be on the back burner for us for a few years... Next Year our big trip will a trip to Disneyland with our DD and SiL and Grandson to celebrate a milestone birthday for me... The next year a milestone Anniversary and Paris is on top of the list, it's our favorite spot in the world...

I just wish that we could get some straight answers... on what the rules are at least until the end of the year...

 

[Shock13]

Timone...I went last year in May right after Golden Week. The weather was great, only 1 day where the rain was going sideways but overall crowds weren't bad and the Easter decor was super cute too! I hear ya about the warm weather as I live in Phoenix and I don't travel from one hot place to another hot place in the summer! Next year for the fall is a big family gathering so I can't do Japan then and I'm so eager to go back. Again, I'll go in the spring but I really wanted to see the Christmas decor.

I have points to cover my Hilton Tokyo Bay stay so it's not an issue to cancel but I'm really hoping things get better for everyone by the end of the summer.

Have you been to Disneyland before? I grew up going there so it's my home park.

 

[corgi_monster]

Hi all,

Jumping into this thread as we had a June 2020 trip to Japan cancelled (we were supposed to leave today, doh) and we are looking into November 2020.

We haven't booked anything yet - it will likely be on United/ANA as we will be jumping off from Honolulu after spending a week on the islands (barring a continuation of that 14 day quarantine mess).

My gut says November should be okay, but I'm not willing to put at-risk money on that wager yet. I'll follow-up with family in Japan and get their thoughts.

Didn't know this area of DISboards existed! I'm usually trawling the Anaheim/Disneyland and DVC subforums.

Hawaii has been in talks with several Pacific Basin countries, including Japan, to create a travel bubble. There aren't a lot of details about how it would work, but it's something to keep your eye on. @LovesTimone - There are (in normal times) direct Delta flights between Honolulu and Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo so you would have lots of rescheduling options if a bubble is created.

 

[LovesTimone]

Timone...I went last year in May right after Golden Week. The weather was great, only 1 day where the rain was going sideways but overall crowds weren't bad and the Easter decor was super cute too! I hear ya about the warm weather as I live in Phoenix and I don't travel from one hot place to another hot place in the summer! Next year for the fall is a big family gathering so I can't do Japan then and I'm so eager to go back. Again, I'll go in the spring but I really wanted to see the Christmas decor.

I have points to cover my Hilton Tokyo Bay stay so it's not an issue to cancel but I'm really hoping things get better for everyone by the end of the summer.

Have you been to Disneyland before? I grew up going there so it's my home park.

Yes, I really like Disneyland ... We also have been to Disneyland Paris... Trying to hit all the 6 parks... so right now we are standing at 3 and 3, I was hoping to tip the scale, to 4 and 2 ... doesn't look like this is happening... this year...