Thinking about heading to the Land of the Rising Sun? You’re far from alone.

Recent data from Webjet found Japan travel searches by Australians increased by 44 per cent since local restrictions eased last month. Our aim? To help you enjoy your best-ever holiday by ironing out any leftover niggling doubts and answering your most pressing questions.

All the updates about tour groups and daily caps have left me confused. What are the current entry rules for Japan?

I hear you – even seasoned travel journalists have struggled to keep up with the rules.

As of October 11, independent travellers could book a flight and enjoy Japan’s bounty of riches like we did in the pre-Covid days.

The country’s visa exemption scheme for short stays (less than 90 days for tourists and those on business trips) has resumed, so there’s no need to apply for a visa, or to arrange your trip through an authorised tour operator. Daily caps, too, have been abolished.

That said, you will need to prove your triple vaccination status by way of your International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate; otherwise you will have to do a pre-departure PCR test within 72 hours of leaving and, of course, produce a negative result. You can find out further details about the format the results must be presented in at mhlw.go.jp. Kids under 18 who are not triple vaccinated themselves, but are travelling with triple-vaxxed parents are not required to undergo pre-departure testing.

Just note that all travellers must complete a health questionnaire from the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare before entering Japan.

Related story: The top 10 mistakes people make when visiting Japan

Will I have to wear a mask?

Technically, no, but unofficially, yes. Though it’s not a legal requirement, everyone wears one – particularly in indoor areas where space is at a premium. It’s unlikely anyone will say anything if you refuse to follow suit (the Japanese are far too polite) but countless sets of eyes will stare at you everywhere you go.

Japan is still reporting close to 45,000 cases of Covid each day so it’s well worth protecting yourself (and your long-awaited holiday). If you begin to feel unwell, or suspect you have Covid, you can get information on next steps by calling the Japan National Tourism Organization hotline on 050 3816 2787.

I’m planning my first trip to Japan. How much time will I need on the ground?

Anyone who’s spent time in Japan will tell you as long as possible and Yoko Tanaka, the executive director of Japan National Tourism Organization’s Sydney office, couldn’t agree more.

“You could spend a whole month in one part of Japan and still have only scratched the surface,” she says. “Of course, most journeys will begin and end in Tokyo – you must make time to explore this amazing city – but we always encourage Australians to make time to explore the rural and regional areas of Japan, which are home to a variety of authentic regional food and cultural experiences.”

For first-timers, Yoko recommends a minimum 12 days. “This will allow you to get a feel for the country, and enough time to explore the bright lights and buzz of the city, and perhaps one or two quieter and more serene destinations,” she says.

Happily, the country’s speedy rail network allows you to travel between destinations quickly, so that you’re able to cover considerable ground.

When will I be able to cruise Japan?

Cruises to and around Japan are selling like hotcakes, but these itineraries are for northern spring 2023 onwards. This is because the country is still closed to international cruises, Yoko explains.

“Requirements are, of course, subject to change, so it is best to check the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Entry and Quarantine),” she says.

Among some of the cruises to look forward to are a 13-night Osaka to Osaka itinerary with Silversea, which not only takes in the highlights of the nation but also a few less-travelled destinations as well, plus a 14-night Through the Heart of Japan tour with Coral Expeditions. The expedition operator’s inaugural cruises to Japan’s islands take in every facet of Japan’s culture, so its itineraries are well worth a look.

I’m seeing a lot of ads for Japan tour operators but I can’t differentiate the good from the not-so-good. What should I look for in a group tour? Do I even need one?

Ultimately, the answer comes down to whether this is your first time to Japan or whether you’ve been a few times and are looking for something new. Yoko recommends first-timers join a short guided tour (for the first few days at least) to help get to grips with basic language and food, as well as get a better feel for the country and culture.

“For second- or third-time visitors who want to dig a little deeper, looking for a tour that goes beyond the ‘must-sees’ and explores rural and lesser-known destinations is recommended, whether it’s hiking one of the many national parks or experiencing a traditional temple stay.”

When looking at tour operators, it’s usually best to go with a destination specialist company, says Harry Sargant, marketing manager for InsideJapan Tours.

“Does the company run tours all over the world and only one or two each year in Japan just because it’s cherry-blossom season, or do they run Japan tours throughout the year? With the latter you are likely to get much better insight and expertise,” Harry says.

Check the maximum group size (smaller groups mean more chances to visit small local restaurants, for example) and how the tour will get around Japan, Harry adds. “Travelling by public transport is one of the great joys of Japan, but many tours try to trim the price by herding you onto a coach, resulting in less interaction with locals and longer travel times.”

Look also for itineraries that give you at least two nights in most destinations, at least one night in a ryokan and plenty of experiences that immerse travellers in the local culture, Harry says. “Does the tour allow you to get stuck in and experience things like a tea ceremony, a cooking class or seats at the sumo? These are likely to be the memories that stay with you.”

I’ve been to Japan a couple of times before but I’m keen to go again. Is there anything new to see?

While we were all busy learning how to make sourdough and perfecting the art of wearing red lipstick under a mask (I always come away looking like Ronald McDonald on a bender), the Japanese have been building and launching new tourism gold for the young and not-as-young.

Kids will head for Universal Studios Super Nintendo Park in Osaka, which opened in 2020, but they’ll also want to hit up Ghibli Park, which serves as a non-conventional celebration of Studio Ghibli’s animated movies, Moomin Valley Park (based on the much-loved Finnish children’s characters), Nijigen No Mori (also known as Awaji Island Anime Park) and the Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel.

Adults may prefer to visit the new Shibuya Sky observation deck on the rooftop of Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Square, check out teamLab Planets, an immersive museum experience in Tokyo that blurs the lines between reality and the digital world, or spend a lazy afternoon in Art Aquarium, which is a visual feast of light, glass and more than a few confused fish. A day of shopping around Shimokitazawa is recommended (although probably not for your wallet); it’s now home to three new complexes, each one teeming with stores, restaurants, cafés and bars.

Regardless of which attraction is calling your name, remember to book ahead. Since the pandemic, an increased number of attractions have introduced advance reservation systems and/or daily visitor caps.

JNTO operates a visitor hotline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and this can be used for simple tourist information, or for emergencies. If you’re calling from Japan, the number is 050 3816 2787, and for those calling from overseas, it is +81 50 3816 2787.

For further information on Japan, visit jnto.go.jp.

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

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