Fans from around the world might get the chance again to visit Tokyo Disney, Universal Studios Japan, and other popular tourist Japanese destinations next spring, according to reports.
Japan has closed its borders to most international visitors, as it looks to contain Covid-19. However, with Tokyo set to host the postponed Summer Olympics next year, officials have been working on plans to reopen those borders to international visitors.
According to media reports, visitors to Japan will need to submit a recent negative coronavirus test and download a government health tracking app in order to be admitted to he country. Visitors also must pass a Covid test upon arrival and purchase private health insurance in order to see the Olympics or visit other attractions without spending 14 days in quarantine.
While the Olympics are likely the big international attraction in Japan for 2021, theme park fans are looking forward to the opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, which is expected next spring. And many fans no doubt would love to see Tokyo Disneyland’s new Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast dark ride and other park expansion locations in person, too.
Plans are expected to be completed and announced by the beginning of the year, so don’t rush to book just yet.
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If Japan isn't opening to tourists until the spring, and even then under such strict constraints, how in the world are they going to be able to host the Olympics next summer?
Even if Japan can pull off next summer's Games, what spectators are actually going to travel to the event and provide the needed economic support to offset the insane costs to host? The whole point of hosting the Olympics is to raise a city's/country's profile and to bring in tourism during the time period surrounding the event. If restrictions are so tight that travel to the region is artificially suppressed, Tokyo will NEVER be able to recoup even a minuscule percentage of the cost of putting on the Olympics, and that doesn't even account for the costs that they are absorbing to delay the games a year.
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Japan was tricky as an island where populace is pushed into some very stacked urban surroundings and culture emphasizing work first. That's not a good combination for a pandemic and clear they've had their struggles. It is harsh as losing the Olympics this year was a huge blow to the economy but seems they're hoping to try next year. Would be good to see as a reminder how this is lasting a while longer.