Great that some people seem to have successfully got their visa using JGA or other agencies' ERFS-only services.

However some concerns still remain. Such as if when checking in your flight, the ground staff will be checking your itinerary is booked by an agency. Or worse at the customs after you have landed.

Also, when you are checking into hotels, if they see your booking is not from an agency, will they reject you due to government guidelines etc.

I think some of you guys working for airlines flying to Japan will soon find out more details..I will definitely wait until the first wave of unguided tourists have entered Japan to see what hurdles there might be by not going exactly as the government guidelines ask .. aka booking flights and hotels via agents.