The Australian snow community will welcome the overnight news that Japan is now open for travel to independent travellers.

As published in The Japan Times, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said they will allow visa-free, independent tourism and abolish a daily arrival cap as of October 11, after nearly 2½ years of strict COVID-19 restrictions.

The government will also launch a nationwide travel discount program, which had been shelved due to the spread of COVID-19 infections.

Kishida made the long-awaited announcement during his visit to New York for the U.N. General Assembly.

“I hope many people will utilize it,” Kishida said at a news conference. “I want to support the travel, entertainment and other industries that have been struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.”

Japan has been allowing tourists since June, starting with people on guided tours. On Sept. 7, the government allowed those on nonguided tours who had booked their flights and hotels through registered travel agencies.

But those measures have been unpopular with many foreign tourists who want greater freedom during their trips.

Tourists will need to be vaccinated three times or submit a negative COVID-19 test result ahead of their trip, Kyodo News reported, citing government sources.

Japan has long been a favourite for Australian snow travellers who venture to many resorts on the main island of Honshu, and the powder laden resorts on the island of Hokkaido.

A nationwide domestic travel program offering discounts for travel, entry to theme parks, and for sporting events and concerts is also set to start on October 11. People who have been vaccinated three times or submit a negative test result will be eligible for the discounts, according to the report.

The program offers financial assistance of up to ¥11,000 ($77) per person for a one-night stay.

The moves will be welcomed by the nation’s tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic.

Travel agencies have been urging the government to waive the visa requirement for tourists, which has been a major hurdle for those wishing to come to Japan. In some cases, prospective tourists had to submit their visa application in person to the nearest embassy or consulate, while others did not get their visas in time for their travel plans.

In 2019, a record 31.88 million foreign travellers visited Japan, but the figure plummeted to about 250,000 in 2021 due to the closed borders.

The daily arrival cap has been raised gradually over the past six months, first to 5,000 on March 1 and eventually to the current 50,000.

Information on this story was originally published in  The Japan Times