or the JTB (Japan Travel Bureau), remember there is a branch in Aeon Shah Alam before pandemic
not sure still there or not

JNTO just replied my email as below:

Thank you for contacting us.
This is the JNTO helpdesk.

Any travel agency that uses an approved Japan inbound tour operator (ground operator) should be able to arrange the tour for you.
The tour itself can be planned by a local travel agency, but the tour has to be managed/operated by a Japan partner.

Please get in touch with a travel agency for more information on the types of tours and start dates etc.

Example of Japanese travel agencies in Malaysia:
1) H.I.S. Malaysia https://www.his.com.my/
2) JTB Malaysia https://my.jtbtrip.com/

We hope this will be of some help for you.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.

Kind Regards,

Please note that this email has been sent from a send-only address and the inbox is unmonitored.
To contact us, please send a message via:
faq.japan-travel.jnto.go.jp/en/requests
Your Inquiry Number：

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

Hmm still no news on they opening for non tour group right?

Should be 2023

i think japan will practice few months for small tour group first

Recently just found out, since April 2022; Hyperdia no longer provided station timetable and any train timetable anymore.

Hyperdia official become useless to foreigners tourist who do alot planning. I hope is temporary.

oh nooo

hey guys
So now Japan is still closed for independent tourist unless you on/with a local japan tour?

I will be visiting US next month and my flight will defo stops by in Japan and would be good if anyone can shed some lights on how-to?

Just hope that I can spend 1-2 days there as I have never set foot into this country before and it was one of the countries that I would love to.

AAX will resume flights to HND and KIX soons
Sos Teriyaki

Still waiting for the refund in Travel Voucher format

Nop. You only can entering to Japan from tour Group which depart from Malaysia. Your Visa for entering Japan only can be done by HIS / JTB group tour package.
If you transit at Tokyo, you only can stay inside transit hall which is currently 90% of shop are closing. I suggest you tapao more food from Malaysia.
If your transit to US flight was 2 days later, i suggest you change the date ASAP. If not you will stay overnight inside Transit hall for 2 - 3 days like Tom Hans Terminal Movie.

Mostly for those Japanese who wanted to go back Japan.

Is this legit ?

that soon is sadly still quite far away
the latest one is tokyo which is july
sapporo wiil only resume on december 2022

but hopefully they revert the tour package rule and take advantage of the low yen situation
people definitely are gonna spend

You can do stop-over in Japan enroute to US but your flight to US must depart on the same day too because NRT will close at midnight while HND is 24hrs Airport.

In other words, you short layover on Airside would be your only chance of set foot into Japan without getting into trouble (unless the govt decide to open everything)

Owh thats too bad then, guess ill plan a trip to here for another time. Thanks man for the info!

Yea, I can only do stop-over and only can lepak in the airport. Thanks for heads up!

Japan very strict on paper work. You can't rent any apartment in Japan with Tourist visa.
To rent a apartment in Japan you need working visa + employment letter + Open a Japan Bank account.
To apply Japan Bank account you need working visa + employment letter

Is it wise to travel to Niseko from Tokyo using train?

KL to Tokyo (Flight)

Tokyo - Aomori - Hakodate - Niseko (train)

Or best to take a flight directly to Chitose from KL? And from Chitose to Niseko using train?

KL to Chitose (Flight)

Chitose - Niseko (Train)

Since u have dealings with Japan, any idea when Japan will be fully opened?

Second option better , it is very expensive to travel by train from tokyo to Chitose .

If you want to visit Tokyo as well, take a domestic flight from tokyo to Chitose .

If you are not going during winter , rent car & drive to Hakodate/Niseko.