Back in October 2022, Japan considerably relaxed its border restrictions, allowing travelers with a poof of three doses of Covid-19 vaccinations or a negative test result conducted within 72 hours prior to departure skip on-arrival test at the quarantine station and self-quarantine.
Though in late December, Japan tightened its quarantine measures for arrivals from mainland China due to a surge in the number of covid patients in the country, according to the Japan Times, the Japanese government is likely to ease these border controls for travelers arriving from China by the end of this month. The government has also decided to ease its long-standing recommendations on mask wearing, approving new rules that will basically leave the decision up to each individual from March 13.
If you have been considering Japan for a destination of your weekend getaway and waiting for Japan to finally open up, it is time you start planning.
What does Japan have to offer?
What is the first thing that comes to your mind talking about Japan? Here are some of the things you can enjoy in Japan.
World class cuisine
Sushi, tempura, teppanyaki… it is been a while already since these Japanese dishes became world-famous. From fine dining to what the local Japanese people call “B-kyu-gourmet（B級グルメ）”, or B-class food which refers to various dishes that usually cost less than 1,000 yen and may be considered Japanese fast food such as ramen noodles, Japan is rich in food cultures. You can enjoy an exquisite dinner experience in a hidden gem, or a fun time in a lively izakaya bar around the corner from where you stay.
If you want to go for something international, you can have an expansive range of food options around the world, with Chinese, Italian, French and Indian in almost every city, and Thai, Hong Kong, Taiwanese, Spanish, Mexican, Lebanese, Malaysian, and many more in big cities.
Golf
If you are a golfer and planning a day of golf in Japan with your partner or friends, you have about 700 golf courses in the Greater Tokyo area to choose from! Some are exclusive and expensive but there are many others accessible from the city that allow non-members to play. If you are thinking to take up golf as a hobby and make a debut on a lush green golf course on a spring day or surrounded by colorful autumn leaves, there are numerous driving ranges in Tokyo to start practicing.
Skiing
Japan is known for its quality of snow – the fluffy powder snow that makes everyone want to make a snow angel. Apart from Hokkaido, Nagano, Niigata and Gunma prefectures are popular ski destinations from Tokyo and offer about 150 ski resorts. Not used to driving in the snow? You don’t have to worry! Some ski resorts are accessible by bullet train from Tokyo. Just a 1.5-hour bullet train ride takes you to the powder snow. You can just leave city in the morning, enjoy a day in the mountains skiing, and come back in the evening. If you take a bullet train for 2 to 3 hours, you can even visit the 1998 Olympic slopes in Nagano.
Fishing
Tuna or maguro (マグロ) is popular fish among sushi and sashimi lovers. If you are an enthusiastic angler, wouldn’t you like to catch this beautiful and also delicious fish? Book a fishing charter and set out for a maguro fishing tour! It is just a 2-hour drive away from Tokyo. You can also enjoy fishing different species of fish in different seasons.
Hiking
Did you know that there are 16,667 mountains in Japan? If your getaway in Japan is to reward yourself with a weekend in nature, you have lots of hiking options. You can try the iconic Mt. Fuji, or leisure hiking trails in Mr. Takao, Mr. Mitake, and many others from Tokyo.
If you can stay longer than a weekend… Visit other regions of Japan
Japan is a long archipelago that extends over 2,000km from north to south. From Hokkaido, to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Okinawa…, the scenery, cuisine, and activities differ according to where you go. Tokyo is a perfect place for you to be based in Japan to have access to all these places with ease, by train or plane.
Owing a holiday home in Japan
If you are thinking that a weekend getaway may not be enough for you to try all these activities and food options, you can always come back for more. If you are tired of always staying in a hotel, you may want to consider buying a condominium unit in Japan as your holiday home. PropertyAccess offers a wide variety of luxurious and centrally-located condominium units in Tokyo that surely makes you feel home away from home, while giving you easy access to all the activities listed here.
Interested? Contact our team by clicking here.