There are just over 100 days to go until opening day here in Niseko and the question on everyone's lips is of course, can we come?

Yes you can ! On August 23rd, 2022 Yahoo News reported that Japan plans to increase the daily number of visitors to its shores from 20,000 to 50,000 from as early as next month. This has been a long time coming and can be seen as a firm indication that things are now moving in the right direction.

But wait there's more.. The next very promising piece of news from the same article is that pre departure testing will be dropped for those who have received 2 vaccinations and a booster. This gives travellers one less thing to worry about when planning their trip and will be a welcome saving for travelling families.

Last but definitely not least, NHK World reported that Japan will also be dropping the need for guided tours to enter the country as a tourist, provided the booking has been arranged through a travel agency. Holiday Niseko is of course a registered Japanese Travel Agent (ANTA) so if you have a booking with us or are planning to make one we'll get you here!

We will be informing all our guests past and present on the steps that need to be taken from here as we receive more information. 

The above points are part of a greater reclassification of Covid19 that will see it treated the same way as the flu bringing Japan in to line with the majority of developed worlds approach to the issue. Although the gates aren't completely open just yet the keys are certainly turning in the right direction and we look forward welcoming back guests before the year is out!  Stay tuned.