Go To Travel FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)

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The purpose of this page is to provide you with a general overview of Go to Travel Campaign in Japan and answer the most frequently asked questions.

 

Goal

To help local businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and to promote domestic travel within Japan

 

Administration​

The Go to Travel Campaign is administered by the Japanese government’s Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLIT).

 

Benefits

The travel subsidy offers up to 50 percent on your costs for transportation, hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and shopping, all within Japan.

 

During Phase One, travelers will receive an initial 35% discount on their travel expenses.

 

During Phase Two, which begins on September 1st, travelers will receive the 35% discount plus an extra 15% discount--for a total discount of 50% off the cost of their trip--in the form of vouchers that can be used at their destination. The vouchers will be issued in units of  ¥1,000, and no change will be given.

 

Important Dates

Phase One of the campaign has begun and will end on August 31, 2020.  No official end date has been set for the campaign at this time.

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What kinds of trips are eligible?

The discount only applies to domestic trips.

 

What’s Excluded

Due to the recent surge in cases in the nation’s capital, Tokyo residents and those traveling to and from Tokyo are not eligible for phase one discount.  If the rate of infection slows down, the government will consider adding Tokyo to the campaign in the future.

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What are the limits? 

The discount can only be claimed up to a set limit. 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.  The vouchers can only be used in the planned travel destination and adjacent prefectures during the specified travel period.

 

Through the end of August, the maximum spend is ¥7,000/day and ¥14,000/night.

 

From September 1st, the maximum eligible spend is ¥10,000/day for day trips.  For overnight trips of at least one night, the maximum is ¥20,000/night.

 

Once you max out on the limits, travelers are responsible for 100% of the costs above the limited amount.

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Why Book Through CPN?

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In short, it’s all about the relationships.  We have strong relationships with the hotels we are recommending, so we can quickly troubleshoot any unexpected issue that may arise. At select hotels, we can offer exclusive free amenities that are equal to 10-25% of the value of your booking.  Typical amenities include complimentary breakfast for two daily; room upgrade upon arrival, if available; early check-in and late check-out whenever possible; and an additional credit to be used onsite at the hotel with our compliments.

 

Secondly, we value our relationship with you and genuinely want to know your travel needs and interests, so we can recommend the best fit for you and your travel companions to make the most of this unique opportunity and to do so safely.

 

Unlike many Japanese-owned travel agencies, our bilingual staff truly understands the needs of foreign residents when traveling in Japan--especially if there is a language issue involved, and we are here to assist you in any way we can to make your vacation an enjoyable one.

 

Finally, like everyone in the tourism industry, our company has been negatively affected by this pandemic.  This is especially true as we are the branch of an American company.  Our Co-Founder & CEO, like all foreign residents, has been banned from entering Japan while still having to pay rent, taxes and other fixed business costs.  The support of other foreign residents is especially appreciated at this time.

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How do I get the discount?

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You will need to fill out the designated Japan Travel Agency form  and include receipts and other required documentation of your trip. More details on the process, including the website for the form, will be announced soon.  CPN Travel’s bilingual staff are available to advise and assist you with these forms.

 

Safety First:  As always, we urge our clients to put safety first.  We are here as a resource to provide you with information.  If, when, where and how you travel is up to you, and we encourage you to consult a medical professional prior to travel if you have any concerns.

 

Travel Insurance:  In today’s uncertain and rapidly changing travel environment, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.  We are happy to provide you with various options from our select partners.

 

COVID-19 Sanitation Protocols:  We strongly encourage you to consider the sanitation protocol at any and all places you intend to visit during your trip.  We have posted this information in detail online about each hotel we recommend as well as the main modes of transportation to/from your destination.

 

Disclaimer:  The information here is correct to the best of our knowledge as of July 30, 2020.