Monday 28 November 2022 05:47 AM Japan opens to Australia after Covid border closures as Jetstar resumes flights trends now

Australians can finally book a trip to Japan after two long years of the holiday hotspot being shut off to tourists.

Japan had some of the world's strictest border controls in place when Covid wreaked havoc across the world but after almost two-and-a-half years of locking out tourists, the nation is finally welcoming b ack tourists wanting to travel without a visa.

Before October 11, only those travelling in a registered tourist group were allowed into the Asian country.

Japan also scrapped all of its entry caps after restricting visitors to 50,000 a day in September. 

While there are still checks in place for travellers wanting to visit Tokyo, Osaka or the countless other popular destinations around Japan, the process of getting through the airport was significantly more hassle-free than that of Australia's other favourite holiday spot - Bali.

Aussies flocked to Bali once the Indonesian island opened its borders on March 14 but for those who have been in recent months, it's no easy feat getting through customs.

Countless exhausted and grumpy travellers regularly vent their frustration online and in person about waiting in hours-long queues at Bali's Denpasar Airport as they line up to show their proof of vaccination and purchase their visas.

A customs declaration also needs to be filled out online while those heading into Bali had to download the Peduli Lindungi app. 

However, landing at Japan's Narita Airport is a different story - with most passengers in and out within half an hour.

Visitors to Japan must either have proof of a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours, or show they've had three vaccinations, and are told to upload their personal details onto the Visit Japan Web page.

This streamlines the process at the airport, allowing travellers to land in Japan and be free of the formalities within minutes.