Harry Sargant is the Marketing Manager for Inside Travel Group. He lived in Japan from 2002 to 2005, and has since travelled there over 20 times.

We asked him for his advice, off the back of the news that travel restrictions have eased even further for Japan.

Can you explain what restrictions are still in place for Aussies who want to visit Japan?

Last week the Japan Government announced that from September 7, tourists no longer need to have a full time guide or escort, and that pre-departure PCR testing has been scrapped for fully vaccinated visitors. So this opens the door for travellers who don’t want a more independent style of trip, rather than joining a group tour or paying for a private guide to accompany them. However, there remains a requirement to book a travel package through a travel operator registered in Japan – such as InsideJapan Tours. You also need to obtain a visa, which involves a visit to your nearest Japanese consulate. The travel company you book your trip with will help with the visa process, so these two requirements are linked.

At this stage it is still not possible to simply book flights and hotels DIY-style, and jump on a plane to Japan. The visa on arrival scheme has still not been reinstated. However Japan’s travel rules have been gradually relaxed over the last few months, so further steps in this process are expected to follow soon.

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What are the first steps people should take if they want to start planning a trip to Japan?

When are you planning to travel? If you are trying to get to Japan in the next few weeks, then you need to pay careful attention to the current travel rules. But if you are planning a ski and culture trip over the Dec/Jan holidays, or booking for cherry blossom in Mar/Apr, then there is strong likelihood that the travel rules will have been further relaxed by then. So take a look at the current rules, but don’t assume that they will still apply by the time you are looking to travel.

Speak to a specialist tour operator, or to your local travel agent who can liaise with an operator on your behalf. They will be able to advise you based on your planned travel dates.

What are the Covid safety rules in Japan at the moment? Are face masks still required in Japan?

Technically in Japan there is no mask mandate, as the Japanese constitution restricts the government from mandating such measures. But the government does advise people to wear masks on public transport and in certain indoor settings. And with politeness and group ethos being key in Japan, this advice is almost universally followed. Mask wearing is not required outside where you can keep your distance, and we recommend visitors take their lead from locals while on public transport and at indoor venues.

What happens if you get Covid while you are on holiday in Japan?

Exact requirements for testing positive depend on the Japan prefecture (state) where you are. The government is reviewing its previous self-isolation guidelines of 10 days (if symptoms) or 7 days (no symptoms) down to around 5 days – details tbc.

Are there any particular challenges with travel in Japan that people need to be aware of? 

Japan is ready and waiting for tourists, and you will have a GREAT time! We have had over 100 people travel to Japan with us in the past three months, and the feedback from them has been universally great, and they have always been welcomed by locals at hotels, restaurants and tourist sites. Japan has also just been through its biggest domestic travel season of the year, with its school summer holidays and the Obon public holiday period in mid Aug. So locals have getting out and about and exploring their own country more and more.

Are there any areas of Japan you would recommend in particular at the moment?

The biggest mistake people make is spending all their time in Tokyo and Kyoto, and not getting out into rural Japan, to the countryside, the coast and the mountains. Japan’s train system makes it so easy to get off the beaten track, and seeing the contrasts that Japan offers will really add to your trip. Sure you need to see Tokyo and Kyoto, but make sure you also include a rural stop or two along the way.

What is the best time of year to visit Japan?

Any time. Japan is truly a year-round destination, and the Japanese mark the passing of the seasons with changes in local food, festivals, traditions and customs. Cherry blossom in Mar/Apr and autumn leaves in Oct/Nov are justifiably famous. And of course Dec/Jan for powder snow, hearty local food and warm sake. But every month brings something unique. May is a personal favourite of mine. The crowds of cherry blossom season have gone, but pleasant spring temperatures remain. There’s a major sumo tournament, geisha dance performances in Kyoto (rare chance for the public), plus some major festivals in Kyoto and Tokyo. I also took my honeymoon in Japan in May many years ago – so maybe I’m biased!

Is travel insurance recommended for travel to Japan?

The Japanese Government does require travel insurance that includes coverage for Covid. But there is no specific dollar amount of coverage stated (unlike some countries).

Some people will want to wait until restrictions ease further before they start booking a trip. Is there any reason people shouldn’t delay and should start booking now? 

Since the government first started reopening back in May, we have seen multiple steps rolled out in the opening process, and the current status is simply the latest step. There are very likely to be further relaxation of entry rules in the coming weeks and months. So don’t wait for restrictions to ease before you start planning. Plan now, and by the time you want to travel the rules are almost certain to be loosened. And there’s going to be a very special window in the next few months, for Aussies to see Japan as it was 20 years ago, without huge crowds of tourists, like the hidden secret it used to be.

Once Japan fully relaxes all entry rules, huge numbers of visitors will return. So if you want to see Japan in this magical temporary state, plan now, and travel soon. Don’t leave it too late.

This article originally appeared on escape.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission.

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