While traveling has been restricted due to Covid-19, those restrictions are finally being eased.
The government has announced a "national travel assistance program", which is a government program designed to stimulate tourism demand throughout the country.
Are there any places that you would like to visit?
How about spending a relaxing weekend in a nearby place?
With this program, you can receive a discount on hotels.
It can be used in combination with other discounts, so why don't you take this opportunity to make a trip to enjoy the autumn colored leaves and more in Japan?
Combined with coupons, it is possible to travel practically for free!?
Check some recommended travel plans at the end!!
To view the linked websites, use the translation tools such as google translate.
In this article, you will get information on...
- Details on National Travel Assistance Program
- Deals available in combination with National Travel Assistance Program, including coupons by local governments
- 3 recommended travel plans with National Travel Assistance Program and other deals
Contents
What is National Travel Assistance Program (全国旅行支援)？
National Travel Assistance Program is run by Japanese government as part of efforts to spur domestic tourism and revive the coronavirus-hit economy.
This program offers a discount equivalent to 40% of the travel fee (per person, per night; maximum discount is 8,000 yen for travel with public transportation and 5,000 yen for all other travel packages).
In addition, coupons (3,000 yen worth on weekdays and 1,000 yen worth on weekends and holidays) will be given for local use.
| National Travel Assistance Program (全国旅行支援） | |
|---|---|
| Discount rate | 40% |
| Maximum discount amount (per person, per night) | Travel packages with public transportation - 8,000 yen Other travel packages - 5,000 yen |
| Coupon (per person, per night) | 3,000 yen during weekdays 1,000 yen during weekends and holidays * It is only effective on the day of your stay and the next day *Nov.3 and 23 will be considered as "weekday" for this program |
| Available to | Nation-wide |
| Period | 10/11/2022 - 12/20/2022 (10/20/2022 - 12/20/2022 for Tokyo) |
| Condition | ・Resident in Japan ・Proof of 3 doses of Covid-19 vaccine, ・Negative PCR test result at least 3 days prior to stay, or ・Negative antigen test result 1 day prior to stay *does not include types that can be tested at homenegative ・ID for everyone ・Up to 7 nights |
*Children under 12 years of age are exempt from vaccines and testing when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
*Conditions may vary by each region/local government.
*Only stays on Saturdays are considered as "weekends and holidays" category.
Stays on Sundays and holidays are considered as weekdays during this period.
Update:
It seems like most prefectures only accept ID that is issued by Japanese government in order to confirm your place of residence.
That's being said, SOFA members are most likely not eligible for this program.
Please contact to the prefecture that you would like to travel if they accept non-Japanse ID.
You can save your trip up to 60% with other deals offered by Rakuten Travel!!
Check Rakuten Travel for how to save up 60% !
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With a combination of Rakuten Super Sale, it is expected that you will be able to save more!
Next Super Sale is in December.
Check the last Super Sale in September to get an idea. ↓↓
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Plans available in combination with National Travel Assistance Program (全国旅行支援）
In addition to National Travel Assistance Program, local government and other companies also offers travel assistance and discount services in various regions.
Some of these discounts can be used in combination with National Travel Assistance Program, so be sure to take advantage of them.
Programs unique to each local government
Apart from the National Travel Assistance Program, each municipality also issues coupons and other forms of travel assistance.
Many of them can be used in combination with the National Travel Assistance Program, so be sure to use them.
Not much information has been announced about this one yet, though.
You can call the hotel directly to make reservations, or you can purchase from a company that handles travel plans.
However, some local government coupons are not handled by some companies.
Also, there is a possibility on the website that they haven't released plans yet or coupons are sold out (but could be released again in the future).
It is still on the stage that coupons from local government are released each day, so check the website regularly.
*Coupons may be sold out due to first-come, first-served basis.
Click here for local government coupons available at Rakuten Travel
Click here for local government coupons available at Rakuten Travel Part 2
*Rakuten Travel English webpage doesn't have these discount deals.
Make sure to reserve a hotel by Japanese page.
Google translate will translate the website pretty well, so refer the translated pages to make a reservation.
You don't know tourist attractions in each region?
Check Rakuten's Travel Guide.
JR East Japan special discount (10/14/2022 - 10/27/2022)
Unlimited train rides including Shinkansen on all JR East and other 7 train lines for 3 days with a fixed fare!
For more details, visit Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the opening of JR East.
| Period | 10/10/2022 - 10/27/2022 |
| Fee | adult: 22,150 yen child (6-11 years old,1st grade- 6th grade): 10,150 yen younger than 6 years old: free (up to 2 kids per 1 adult or child) |
| Effective date | 3 days |
It is possible to travel from Tokyo to Tohoku area for about half the typical price by using the National Travel Assistance Program and JR East discount service.
Fixed price for expressways within a designated area
Nexco West Japan, Central Japan, East Japan each has services of "Unlimited rides at a fixed price".
Check their website to see if there are any plans that save you money!
*ETC required
Event discount (20% off, up to 2,000 yen)
This project aims to stimulate demand for cultural, artistic, and sporting events through ticket discounts.
Tickets for eligible events can be purchased at a 20% discount.
The conditions are the same as for hotels: submission of proof of 3x vaccinations against Covid-19 or negative proof of PCR or equivalent.
Period: 10/11/2022 - 1/31/2023
Eligible Event:
Music Concerts
Sporting events
Traditional arts (entertainment)
Theater
Art Museums
Museums
Amusement park
Theme parks
At this point, USJ announced that they offer "the event discount".
Update (10/12/2022): Disney Resort announced that they offer the event discount as well!!
Check "Event Discount".
Recommended travel plans with National Travel Assistance Program (全国旅行支援）
Here I suggest recommended trips that can be booked using Rakuten Travel.
Kyoto - Osaka
A new coupon has been issued in Kyoto as a local government coupon that can be used in combination with National Travel Assistance Program.
Depending on the plan, you can receive discounts of 10% to 25% OFF.
When combined with the 40% off National Travel Assistance Program…
Let's say the total cost for a family of 4 (2 school age kids) is 60,000 yen.
60,000 x 40% = 24,000 (however, the discount deal is up to 5,000 yen for each = 20,000)
Using a coupon worth 15,000 yen that can be used over 60,000 yen plan (coupons by a local government), a family of 4 can stay one night for 60,000 - (20,000 + 15,000) = 25,000 yen.
Then, don't forget that each of the family member can get 3,000 yen coupon that can be used locally.
3,000 x 4 = 12,000
It means that you can practically stay at 60,000 yen worth hotel with 13,000 yen!
Of course, if you choose to stay at a more reasonable hotel, you can stay at a hotel more reasonably.
Kyoto in fall is pretty with colored leaves.
And Kyoto and Osak is pretty close, so you can trip to Osaka while staying in Kyoto.
What you can do in Osaka?
Why don't you take an advantage of the event discount tickets to go to USJ!!
Sapporo, Hokkaido
Hokkaido is one of the prefectures I would like to visit again.
Their food is delicious!
You must try their fresh seafood and dairy products.
Don't forget Ramen and lamb, as well.
Sapporo is also one of the five largest cities in Japan, so you can enjoy the city and the unique nature of Hokkaido.
The local goverment discount that Sapporo distributing is 3,000 yen off per person on the stay that is more than 5,000 yen per person.
Plus, each can get additional 2,000 yen worth coupon that can be used locally.
〈Family of 4, 60,000 yen worth of hotel〉
60,000 - 20,000 (National Travel Assistance Program) - 12,000 (Sapporo discout) = 28,000 yen
Plus, you will get 20,000 yen worth of coupons (National Travel Assistance Program + Sapporo discount) all together.
You will practically pay 28,000 - 20,000 = 8,000 yen for a night with family of 4.
Staying at a hotel for FREE !?
If you (family of 4) stay at a hotel with 5,000 yen per person...
(5,000 x 4) x 60% = 12,000 yen (National Travel Assistance Program)
12,000 - (3,000 x 4) = 0 yen (Sapporo Discount)
Plus 20,000 yen worth of coupons to be used locally.
You can stay at a hotel for free and get 20,000 yen worth of coupons for food and souvenir!
Kyusyu Area
If you live in Kusyu area or somewhere close, this is a great opportunity to travel around Kyusyu.
Kyusyu travel campaign offers you electronic coupons when you stay at a hotel that is participating in this campaign.
You will get 1 point with one night stay and you can get 5,000 yen worth of electronic coupon with 3 points.
Each of your accompanying member (person who is old enough to be charged for a stay) is eligible for this, so if you travel with family of 4, you can get 4 points with one night stay.
Electronic coupons are available 5 days after your stay and you can use it at your next stay or facilities around your area.
For more details visit the official website.
check coupons for Nagasaki and Saga (issued by local governments for your stay at a hotel)
*Coupons by local governments are expected to be added in the future.
Summary
With a combination of National Travel Assistance Programs and coupons issued by local governments, you can stay at a hotel reasonably.
This is a great opportunity to travel!
Check Coupons by local government at Rakuten to see if there are coupons in your inerested region.
For more information on National Travel Assistance Program, check Rakuten Travel Official Website.
Making a reservation? Click Here.
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参考How to book a hotel at Rakuten Travel
Rakuten Travel is one of the largest online hotel booking websites. Once you create Rakuten account, ...
続きを見る
I hope you can stay at a hotel with a great deal and enjoy your trip!