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COVID-19-related restrictions.

Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Japan due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

If you travel to Japan, you should:

• See the U.S Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19.
• Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Review the Country Security Report for Japan.
• Discuss travel to Japan with your healthcare provider. Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease.
• Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60%–95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Tanabata Festival

Early July

The 7th day of July (in some cases, August) is a special day where the locals celebrate Tanabata or the Star Festival. The Tanabata festival in Japan is celebrated to commemorate the romantic tale of two lovers. Interestingly, these two lovers are not humans but the stars Vega and Altair.

One of the most iconic symbols of Tanabata is the thin and long strips of colorful paper streamers. These papers are hung from bamboo branches along with ornaments and origami. Urban settings use bamboo poles and decorate their shops, train stations, and other public spaces. Bamboo ornaments are indispensable for this celebration. Because of its strong roots, bamboo is considered a symbol of vitality. It grows extremely fast, and it is also believed that the hollow interiors of bamboo allow the Gods to dwell inside. Like old days, people write their wishes on the Tanzaku and tie it on the trunk and branches of bamboo. As the bamboo tree grows very tall, the wishes supposedly reach the heavens, making the deities grant your wishes and ward off all the evil spirits. Tanabata is further characterized by other traditional decorations. Kinchaku bags represent prosperity, and the folded cranes or Orizuru are the epitome of longevity.

The festival of love is splendid. You will come across numerous wish cards with poems, drawings, and lyrics containing whimsical wishes. They bring color and brightness to the festival, thus inspiring everyone to hope for a better tomorrow.

This festival is celebrated all across Japan. The whole country becomes colorful, from shopping malls to public streets and other places. The celebration features outdoor stalls that often sell food, parades, carnival games, and host many events.