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Japan’s New Preclearance System for Travellers for 2025 | Arigato Travel
International travel to Japan has increased for the past few years following the country’s decision to reopen the borders in 2022 due to the pandemic, lessening travel restrictions, and the weakening value of the Japanese Yen. Coming from 4.5 million tourists in a year in 2020, to an astounding 26 million international tourists in 2024, about 3 million tourists a month, Japan has been finding ways to make travel easier to the country. One of these systems is a preclearance system, designed to make the arrival process easier and less stressful for foreign visitors. What is the Preclearance System? As many may already be aware, after you have arrived in Japan from an international flight, the standard was that the airport requires you to fill out customs declaration forms, take a photograph, and fingerprint for identification. This form needs a variety of information, and it can be difficult to know where to get the form or where to fill it out, especially for first-timers. On top of that, the line for photograph and fingerprint scanning eats up a lot of time for arrivals. Thanks to the preclearance system, while waiting for your international flight in departures, you can fill out these forms and take these photographs and scans way ahead of time, save yourself the hassle and stress when you arrive, avoid the long lines, and overall reduce the time needed for arrival procedures. As of now, Haneda International Airport has kiosks in place for customs and immigration, but starting in early 2025, other airports such as Narita and Kansai’s international airports will receive the same systems, allowing easier arrival to a wider sphere of airports in the country. Who gets first access to preclearance? As this new system is still fresh, it has only one country that can take advantage of this new arrival process. As of January 2025, Taiwan is the only country as of now who can participate in finishing arrival documents and procedures in advance. Every other country among the 71 countries and territories will be able to enter Japan with a new required electronic documentation. This is the ETA (electronic travel authorization) that will be launched in addition to the aforementioned system in 2025 but arrival procedures will still be quite long when compared to the preclearance system. As bigger waves of tourism hit Japan, many are facing long lines at arrivals, lengthening the amount of time it takes to enter the country. For all sorts of reasons such as wellness tourism, the weakened yen allowing for affordability, rich culture and history, and popular spots such as Mount Fuji, it is no doubt that Japan has been met with consecutive 3 million visitors each month last year. Many tourists report repeating trips to Japan, but preclearance could allow new and past tourists to come to Japan smoothly, and encourage them to come back, or just leave them with a good impression on the airport procedures. While other countries will not be able to take part in these yet, there’s no doubt that they will soon be able to join Taiwan in this system for their travels too. Featured Photo Credit: Asahi If you qualify for this preclearance and are coming to Japan, why not come see us? Book your local guide to learn more about Japanese food and culture.
8 Top Tips for an Amazing 2025 Journey to Japan | Arigato Travel
Japan has infamously been experiencing overtourism as of late, but even with policies like higher prices for foreign tourists, it seems that visitor numbers won’t go down anytime soon. And why would they? With a weak yen and the consistently high numbers of people just plain fascinated by Japan’s culture and media, there’s no stopping the year-round influx of tourists into this small archipelago. However, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure you enjoy your trip and simultaneously ease the burden of over-tourism on you and local society. That’s where the Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) come in, which are meant to ensure social and economic prosperity whilst also protecting the environment – everything that tourism has a profound impact on. This might seem like a huge burden to take on, but when we each play our part, even small actions can lead to big changes. When is a better time to start taking those steps than in the new year? If your resolution this year is to visit Japan, why not add these 8 much smaller and easier resolutions to your list on top of it? So let's jump into the list, so you can find out how to make the absolute best of your travels in this beautiful country this year! Travel light Not only does it make it easier when you’re moving from place to place, but it can also help with one of the biggest problems in Japan regarding over-tourism: congestion. Lugging around multiple large suitcases onto the train or bus is exhausting, and you risk taking up precious space that could otherwise be used by potential passengers. So how do you prevent this problem, it’s simple really. Only bring what you truly need and things that would be difficult to get in Japan like personal medication. Remember that most hotels provide toiletries like soaps, towels, and toothbrushes, and if you're staying in an Airbnb or apartment with a washing machine, consider doing laundry and reusing the same clothes to reduce luggage load. That said, you can’t avoid bringing a multitude of things for longer trips, but even then there are more efficient ways to go about it. There’s a wealth of creative packing tips on social media, including ways of folding clothes that would maximize your luggage space. Also consider applying for an airport luggage delivery service like the ones offered by JAL (Japan Airlines), which could deliver your suitcases straight to your accommodation and prevent the aforementioned overcrowding on public transport. Travelling with lighter loads also helps airplanes consume less fuel, thus releasing less carbon dioxide – a key cause of global warming – into the atmosphere. Take public transport – or just walk when you can This shouldn’t be much of a problem in Japan where buses, subways, and train lines stretch to even remote corners of the country. Of course, there might be delays or a long wait time in between trains depending on where you are. But even if you’re in a big city where trains come and go every five minutes, it’s not uncommon to just walk to your next stop, especially if it’s just half an hour or less to the next destination. Walking is much healthier for you and is a surefire way to get all that food down, so your stomach’s ready again for your next culinary adventure. It’s also the best way to get a feel for any place you’re visiting, and you can make any detours you want through side streets and the like that the average tourist might not have the chance to venture. And when you’re too tired of walking all day, you can rent an e-scooter or e-bicycle, which can easily be found and rented throughout urban areas like Tokyo – even if you have no license. But whether you choose to walk, cycle, or ride the bus or train, they’re all more environmentally friendly than riding a taxi or taking an airplane from one side of the country to the next. These are things that, as mentioned before, release the largest amounts of carbon dioxide. So, consider using the Shinkansen with its extensive route options (from Hokkaido all the way to southernmost Kyushu) rather than flying to a different prefecture if possible. Save energy We might be extremely calculating with electricity bills in our own homes, but often that consideration goes out the window when we’re staying somewhere else. Remember though, a hotel or inn is still home to plenty of others, and, as guests, we should make sure to use only as much as is needed. Turn off the lights when you’re not in the room, turn off the tap when you’re not using it, and try to take showers instead of baths to consume less water. Whatever we take from the resources of another place is what will be left for the people who live there, and many resources take very long to replenish, if at all. Learn the local language You don’t need to be fluent in the language of every destination you visit, but it still helps to know essential phrases that’ll smoothen things out when you’re at the cashier of a convenience store, for example. It’ll save both sides some time and can be seen as a sign of respect because at least you’ve made some effort to learn how to communicate with the local people. No one wants to study during their vacation, but why not look up some common, everyday words while you’re researching those must-visit spots? Learn the etiquette Because of the weak yen, there have been many tourists who come to Japan only to shop, with little interest in or consideration of its unique culture. This includes learning about and respecting local manners, which are especially important to the people of Japan. Not to mention, the numerous reports of rude tourists who disobey safety rules and make locals uncomfortable by crowding around viral photo spots. Again, vacationing in another country means that you’re a guest, and it’s important to respect both the people and the culture who’ve welcomed you into their home. Small actions like remembering to stay quiet in a crowded train, not blocking other people’s way in a crowded passageway, and throwing garbage where it belongs do exactly that. Just get lost It can be daunting to turn off Google Maps and venture outside tried-and-proven paths for a change, but this resolution isn’t exactly asking you to go into shady alleyways or dense forests in the countryside with no Internet connection. Being safe and adventurous can go hand-in-hand, and Japan’s cities might be the best place for that with its high security and widespread transportation network. So why not try getting on a train and stopping at a random station, then walk around and venture into any shop or restaurant that catches your eye? You might be surprised at the things you’ll get to see and experience, and there’s always that option of opening Google Maps for directions back to your hotel when you’ve felt lost enough for one day. It’s not exactly the full, off-the-beaten-path experience, but when you’ve been to a place multiple times, the next step is finding those hidden spots that you would’ve overlooked if you hadn't put down your phone and paid attention to your surroundings. Visit lesser-known areas Overtourism is not actually a problem throughout all of Japan, but only found in popular cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. If you’re a first-timer, it feels like a must to visit these iconic areas first and foremost, but there are plenty of other beautiful prefectures with just as much to offer minus the overwhelming crowds. One example is Suruga in Shizuoka Prefecture, an underrated destination known for its natural beauty and long-established tea culture. On top of the rare and unique experience you’ll get out of it, you’ll also be contributing to the local economy, creating job opportunities and generating revenue in less affluent parts of the country. You can bet that the environment in typically popular areas would be protected too, as fewer tourists usually means less littering. With more revenue going into lesser-known destinations, there would be better infrastructure to ensure those natural wonders and cultural heritage sites would be appreciated by travelers for many years to come. Support small businesses This resolution is related to the previous in that supporting small businesses rather than chain stores will contribute directly to the local economy. So, instead of visiting a McDonalds that you can probably find at home, why not try out that hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving authentic, homemade Japanese food the next street over? Chances are it’ll still taste different from the meals offered by other Japanese restaurants and you might be directly contributing to the economy of the family running it for generations on end. The food is likely to be less processed and uses a lot of organic, locally-grown produce, again leading to less energy consumption and carbon emissions. Besides, what better way to fully experience a town’s culture than through its cuisine? The same goes for stores selling handmade arts & crafts. On top of offering you an expertly crafted, one-of-a-kind souvenir for an affordable price, you’ll be actively contributing to the preservation of Japan’s traditional arts. Long-running shops and restaurants often have distinct characteristics to them, making it a shame if they’re no longer a part of the cultural landscape of its town or city. From scouring local gems instead of the usual tourist hotspot to paying more attention to the impact you have on local environments, there are plenty of ways to maximize your tourist experience but also the continued welfare of your destinations. Places are just like flowers; they might be stronger than they look, but when you keep handing them to other people, there’s bound to be some petals lost on the way. The new year is a chance to start anew, so let’s make sure to breathe new life into every place we visit, by planting new flowers but also retaining the beauty of the ones planted long ago. So, in addition to starting the new year correctly, let’s make sure we travel right and make sure everyone has the time of their lives in Japan this year. Featured Photo Credit: Bokksu official website Now that you have a few ideas on how to enjoy your trip to Japan, reach out to our Expert Travel Specialists to curate a sustainable, personalized itinerary!
What to do for This Year’s Setsubun: 2025 | Arigato Travel
With the beginning of the new year, the time has come again to begin the celebrations of Setsubun. If you aren’t familiar with this Japanese tradition, the event falls on the day before spring and is full of festivities. As it divides winter and spring, the literal meaning is season division, hence why it falls on this specific date. The events performed during Setsubun center mainly involve beans, such as the act of mamemaki which is when someone in the family (usually a parent) wears an oni mask and the children throw beans at them to “exorcise” the bad spirits from one’s home. Another common practice involves eating the beans for good luck. All of these activities are special in marking the end of winter and welcoming the new spring season. Activities Available during Setsubun Bean Throwing As briefly mentioned, one commonly performed activity during this time of year is throwing roasted beans out of one’s home, or even at shrines. While doing this, people normally recite “oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” to indicate that demons should be sent out of the home, and fortune should be brought in. Wooden boxes full of beans for Setsubun are typically sold at convenience stores in Japan leading up to the day, but you may find them at grocery stores too. You can also find oni masks sold there as well, so make sure to grab one so you can share in the festivities with friends or family. Eating Soybeans After everyone is done throwing the beans for good fortune, now you get to eat them for even more good luck! The tradition is to eat one soybean for each year of your life. Typically, right after throwing the beans you’d pick them up and eat, but you can always buy beans for each separate activity. Enjoy Ehomaki Ehomaki is Setsubun’s traditional dish, an entire sushi roll that is unsliced, and eaten as such. Representing the seven gods of fortune, the roll consists of 7 ingredients. However, the construction of the sushi is not all there is to it, besides this, there are traditions when it comes to ehomaki. One is that you must face the lucky direction of the year while you eat, (this year’s direction being west-southwest) and you must eat the entire thing in silence. Festivals and Events to see during Setsubun Shimokitazawa Tengu Festival If you are looking for a place to enjoy throwing beans with others, the annual huge parade in the lively neighborhood of Shimokitazawa is just the thing for you. During this Setsubun event, the participants dress up as either the crow or the special red tengu and parade the street, allowing parade viewers to throw beans around them and chant “fuku wa uchi!” You’ll also get to see a huge tengu mask rolled down the street, and candy is thrown at attendees all while the participators play loud drums and conch shells for a performance. Despite the at-home tradition allowing you to chant “oni wa soto” that expression is not said at this festival, as the tengu are not the typical type of yokai that you are probably familiar with. These crow-like beings are a different type of Japanese monster that is said to bring luck, disappearing once wishes for fortune are made. Thus, this festival focuses on good fortune for the spring. This festival also has other smaller activities scattered throughout the area, such as a soybean stamp rally where you collect stamps by shopping at certain stores. Once you have enough you can participate in a game that involves earning a prize if you can pour a certain amount of beans into a jar. In addition, you can also purchase beans, and even a Tengu mask at the surrounding small shop stands. Dates: January 31st - February 2nd Time: 31st: Starts at 8:00 PM 1st: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 2nd: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Price: Free Address: Tokyo, Setagaya, 2 Chome-37-17 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan Website: https://shimokita1ban.com/tengufestival93/ Naritasan Fudoson Bean Throwing Festival This festival takes place at one of the biggest temples in Northern Osaka. Due to this temple’s reputation of warding against Oni, Naritasan Fudoson has become a popular shrine for many to gather at to celebrate Setsubun. In fact, being such a popular destination, it's not uncommon to find celebrities at the temple for the morning festivities of throwing beans. If you happen to be close enough to the main stage you may get the chance to catch some of the beans being thrown by the priests. Many bring boxes for a better chance at catching some, so bringing one may be a good idea if that is something you are after. Similar to the Shimokitazawa festival, oni wa soto is not chanted here, so make sure to only wish for fuku wa uchi if you get the chance to attend. Dates: February 2nd Time: Bean throwing event occurs at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM, 4:00 PM for the sumo event Price: Free Address: 10-1 Narita Nishimachi, Neyagawa, Osaka 572-8528, Japan Website: https://www.naritasan.or.jp/english/ Heian Shrine’s Setsubun Festival Located in Kyoto’s Heian Jingu, this festival is packed with performances to ring in the spring season. The festival begins at 1 PM and starts with priests performing a Shinto ritual, praying, and offering to the gods at the shrine along with purifications. While this festival is a great way to celebrate Setsubun, you will also get to experience Japanese Shintoism culture firsthand. Following the ritual, costumed performers will participate in an exorcism, a practice called Daina no Gi, once held at the Imperial Palace during the Heian period. The performers represent warriors, diviners and oni, all of which will perform a high-energy show. Sometimes the oni performers will try to scare the crowd, making the Heian’s Setsubun Festival interactive and fun! Of course, being a Setsubun celebration, you will eventually see the people who work at the shrine, including the priests, geiko and maiko, throw packets of beans at the oni, and viewers have a chance to catch them if you’re lucky. Unlike the other festivals we mentioned, you can chant oni wa soto along with fuku wa uchi at this festival. At the end of the festival, you can witness a fire ritual held on the main grounds of the temple. Dates: February 3rd Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Price: Free Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SKDhF4yyS8UZqe6m6 Website: https://www.heianjingu.or.jp/language/english.html Welcome the Spring Season with Beans and Fun With mamemaki, roasted bean eating, ehomaki, and various festivals throughout Japan, Setsubun is a time for people of all ages to spend time together. With this blog, we hope to leave you with not only a decent idea of how to celebrate Setsubun, but also some of the best places to join in on all the festivities and fun shaped around leaving the cold winter behind and welcoming the spring. Since the traditions behind Setsubun are very simple to follow, everyone can enjoy and learn a new Japanese celebration whilst casting bad luck out and bringing fortune into their home in a fun new way. Whether you can get your hands on some soybeans and participate by throwing them, or go to a festival and try your luck at catching some beans yourself, the most important part is wishing for good things to come in the springtime whilst still having fun. Feature photo credit: matcha-jp On a trip to Japan during Setsubun? Reach out to our team of experts to build your personalized itinerary!
Things to do in Osaka in February 2025 | Arigato Travel
February is an interesting time of year for Japan, with winter weather slightly lingering, but traces of spring just around the corner. Certain areas of Japan during February, though rarely, still see snow, but some days the weather will make you think spring has already come, as the country’s weather can be unpredictable during its separation from winter. Despite the weather being inconsistent, Osaka has a lot of activities and fun sights to explore during your February trip. A good thing about February is that this month holds the Setsubun holiday to mark the start of spring, and as a result, this time is also when Japan’s plum blossoms begin to bloom, painting the city in pink. To give you a good idea of what the city has available, this blog will introduce several locations and events so that you can get the most out of your Osaka trip. Setsubun at Sumiyoshi Taisha It wouldn’t be a February in Japan without witnessing at least one Setsubun festival. With the time-honored traditions of welcoming spring and saying goodbye to winter, yakuyoku (banishing bad luck), and wishing for good fortune, a stop at Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine is one you won’t want to miss. While typical festivals may just consist of designated shrine workers tossing small packs of beans at festival-goers to catch for good luck, this festival takes it a step further, turning the celebration into a performance. If you get the chance to participate in this festival, you’ll get to witness horseback archers firing arrows at targets that represent misfortune, which are made to look like oni (demons). Date: February 3rd Time: Open from 6 AM - 5 PM Address: 2 Chome-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, 558-0045, Japan Website: https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/events/annualevents/02.html Price: Free Plum Blossoms at Osaka Castle Park Due to the plum blossoms planted around Osaka Castle being in full bloom in February, many visitors come to Osaka Castle Park to admire the beautiful pink trees with the castle in the backdrop. While most of them are pink, if you take the time to look at the other plum blossoms, you’ll see how there have been more than 100 different types of plum blossom trees, varying in colors such as yellow, white, and different shades of pink. As there are roped-off walkways within the park, it makes a peaceful stroll while beautiful trees full of flowers line your path. Even if you use this visit as a break from your activities, just sitting on one of the park’s many benches or enjoying a hot drink to beat the cold from one of the surrounding cafes available at the park will still make a great way to spend time at this park and welcome spring in your own way. Date: January to March Time: Park is open 24 hours Address: 2 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan Website: https://www.osakacastlepark.jp/flower/plum_grove.html Price: Free Hankyu and Hanshin Umeda Main Store Valentine’s Day Events The month of February may make most think of Valentine's Day, which is celebrated as White Day in Japan. As chocolate is a vital component during this holiday, you’ll see several boxes or displays of chocolate in grocery stores or department stores. If you’re in Osaka, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Hankyu or Hanshin Umeda Main Building, two huge department stores with a chocolate exposition (Hankyu) or strawberry and chocolate-centered events (Hanshin) consisting of over 300 brands and 3000 different types of chocolate from all over the world, and various activities with strawberries. For Hankyu, most events take place on the 9th floor, where there are multiple chances to buy one-of-a-kind chocolate. There are also several seminars at this store from chocolatiers who will talk about how they make chocolate, where it comes from, and much more. Some cost a fee to participate but others are free, so if you’re lucky you might be able to listen in on one! If you visit Hanshin, a four-minute walk away from Hankyu, you’ll get to take part in a strawberry picking event, enjoy different types of strawberries with rich chocolate, and much more. You will also be able to have the chance to enjoy beautiful and highly decorated strawberry desserts such as parfaits, cakes, and more at the cafes and restaurants at this Valentine's Day event. Date: January 20th-February 14th (Hankyu) January 15th - February 14th (Hanshin) Time: 10 AM - 8 PM Address: 8-7 Kakudacho, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-8350, Japan (Hankyu) 1 Chome-13-13 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-8224, Japan (Hanshin) Website: https://website.hankyu-dept.co.jp/honten/h/valentine/index.html (Hankyu) https://www.hanshin-dept.jp/hshonten/ (Hanshin) Price: Free (seminar prices can be checked on the website, item prices vary) Osaka Marathon For the athletic readers or those who wish to witness such a huge event, Osaka holds a marathon event on the 24th of February every year, a chance for those who wish to participate in an event that brings people from all over together to race. The marathon course stretches from Osaka’s Prefecture Government, all the way to Osaka Castle Park where the finish line is. Whether you participate in the run or follow them on the sidelines, you’ll get to see very popular sites of the city in a very energetic style, such as castles, temples, and more. Date: February 24th Time: 9:15 AM - 4:15 PM Address: 2 Chome Otemae, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-8570, Japan Website: https://osaka-marathon.com/ Price: 16,000 yen for domestic, 18,000 yen for overseas runners Sky Kotatsu Ferris Wheel Want a way to break away from the cold? Located in Osaka is a Ferris wheel that has Kotatsu tables installed in each cart so people can stay warm while enjoying the views of the city from so high. If you are unfamiliar with what a kotatsu is, they are tables with heaters attached to the bottom of the surface, usually with thick, warm blankets attached, a common table found in Japanese houses during the winter season. Even better, you can enjoy hot canned oden (fish cake stew) during the ride, another common winter item in Japan. There is also warm sake available, along with non-alcoholic options. Since the ticket price includes the oden, it makes a great and affordable activity to keep warm. Date: December 2nd - February 28th Time: 10 AM - 8 PM Address: 2-1 Senribanpakukōen, Suita, Osaka 565-0826, Japan Website: https://ticket.osaka-wheel.com/#138 Price: 1600 yen Ichiya Kannyo Festival Held at Osaka’s Nozato Sumiyoshi Shrine, the Ichiya Kannyo festival, or the one-night festival, is a great event to add to your plans to experience Japanese culture. While the origin isn’t clear, there’s evidence to state that this festival for praying for safety has been going on for at least 300 years, since around 1702. Back in these times, this festival would participate in sacrificing a young girl to the deity of the shrine every January 20th, in a way to prevent flooding in the Nozato area. Now the festival is celebrated in February, and due to a Samurai in this period offering himself to the shrine along with an abundant amount of food and plants, if you attend this festival you may get a glimpse at the meal cooked for the gods inspired by the Samurai’s offerings. You will also get to see a selection of young girls participate in the ceremony, wearing beautiful traditional costumes. While this festival is based on a sad, gloomy practice, you will notice it has a more solemn atmosphere than most Japanese festivals. Even so, you will get to learn and experience what festivals were like hundreds of years ago, and specifically the stories from this area in Osaka and what hardships people endured back then. Date: February 20th Time: Starts at 2:00 PM Address: 1 Chome-15-12 Nozato, Nishiyodogawa Ward, Osaka, 555-0024, Japan Website: https://www.osaka-jinjacho.jp/funai_jinja/dai5shibu/nishiyodogawa-ku/05021sumiyoshijinja.html Price: Free While the weather in February may turn people away from travel, Japan holds many opportunities in February that will make you forget the cold. Whether you go for the rich cultural experiences and attractions, the endless energy in the city and people, or some peaceful nature views, Osaka has a little bit of everything for everyone during this time of year while the country transitions to spring. Featured Photo Credit: Stockbym Want to have more fun on your trip to Osaka? Join a culinary tour and discover the city as a local!