Japan in December?
 

I have some flights that have long layovers in Tokyo (8 and 11 hours) from HNL, and I'll admit I'd like to get into the city instead of spending hours in the joy that is NRT.

As I understand it, Japan has effectively closed off the country to everyone (including Americans) as of last week by mandating pre-arrival visas that Consulates are pretty much saying they aren't issuing visas and aren't even offering online services for.

Are things looking somewhat hopeful by early December...? Does anyone think Japan will allow tourists back in/allow visa exemptions again?

Maybe, maybe not. No one has a clue. But I wouldn't make any kind of reservation that is not fully refundable.

Common sense will tell you that Japan should more or less be fully open by then (which is about 6-7 months behind pretty much all other major countries with the notable exception of greater China). But then this is Japan after all where they think foreigners bring in all kinds of disease, so nobody really knows ……