It is no secret to anyone: the tourism industry across the world took a huge hit with the coronavirus pandemic, and Japan is no exception. To help local businesses and promote domestic travel, the Japanese government has created the Go to Travel Campaign.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

*For non-Japanese Speakers

For those who are not used to making reservations in Japanese, we offer a travel support service, so please feel free to contact us.

▶Contact us

What is the Go to Travel Campaign?

The principle is simple enough: travelers will receive up to 50% subsidies on transportation, hotels, restaurants, landmarks, and shopping costs, anywhere in Japan.

However, please be aware that residents in Tokyo are currently excluded from the campaign. After intense discussions, this was decided as the number of cases keeps rising in the Japanese capital. If the numbers go down again, Tokyo might be added back.

When does it start?

The campaign will start on July 22. From that day until August 31st, travelers will receive a 35% discount on their travel expenses. From September 1st, an extra 15% discount will be added in the form of vouchers. There is currently no official end date for the campaign, though the end of spring 2021 is currently being talked about.

How to apply?

To enjoy the campaign, you will have to book via a travel agency website or office. A list of the participating businesses will be released later on the official Go to Travel website (still not available as of today).

There is no limit to the number of times you can use the Go to Travel Campaign, and there is no limit to the number of consecutive nights at the destination. However, it will be limited to stays within the campaign period.

Are trip booked before the July 22 eligible?
No, any trip booked before July 22 will not be eligible. However, hotel stays between July 22 and July 24 can receive a discount. For this, you will need to submit a form from the Japan Travel Agency, receipts and proof of your trip.  Details will be announced later on the official website.

How can I use the vouchers?
The vouchers will be given directly by the agency from which you booked your trip. They can be used for shopping, restaurants, tourist attractions, etc.

The coupons will be issued in units of 1,000 yen, and no change will be given. A list of participating establishments will be published on the Go to Travel website later on.

The coupons can be used only in the travel destination and adjacent prefectures during the travel period.

Is there a limit to the subsidy?
Yes, there is a limit to the amount you can receive. The maximum subsidy will cover half of the travel expenses, up to 20,000 yen per person per night, or 10,000 yen in the case of a single-day trip.

To get a better idea on the actual price, you can refer to our table below (click on it to zoom in):

As the informations regarding the Go to Travel Campaign are quite changing, we will continue to update the article accordingly.

In the following article, I check which Japanese Travel Agencies offer the best price.

For non-Japanese speakers

If you plan to take a domestic trip but you cannot read Japanese, we can arrange your trip by our side. Please feel free to contact us on the form below!

*It takes 48 hours or more to reply for now because we have many inquiries.

**Please note that replies may come from other services. (We are working with these services now: Airtrip/ Japan Wonder Travel.)

▽For more detailed information about Go to Travel Campaign, check this article below!▽

Recommended for you