Starting October 1, visa requirements for Russian tourists planning to visit Japan in groups of three or more will be relaxed. The authorities in the Land of the Rising Sun made this decision in connection with the Year of Japan in Russia and the Year of Russia in Japan.
According to Interfax, the simplified short-term visa application process will benefit Russians who purchase package tours from travel companies. Tour groups of three or more people will be able to obtain visas for up to 30 days with only a visa application and a passport. Previously, travelers were required to also provide a certificate of employment and a bank statement when submitting their documents.
In turn, the travel agency selling the trip to Japan will provide the Japanese party with hotel reservations, tickets (including tickets for domestic flights), the group's itinerary, a list of its participants, and documents confirming that the purpose of the trip is group tourism.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, tourist flow to Japan from Russia in the first six months of 2018 alone increased by a record 30%, reaching 50,000 people.
Source: travel.ru