KIE/Kintetsu International

【TSA reduces TSA PreCheck® enrollment fee】 https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2022/11/04/tsa-reduces-tsa-precheckr-enrollment-fee Are you Ready for travel in the Holiday season？ Apply now to avoid the long line at the security.

【"Official Notice" New Japan Entry Protocols from 10/11】 "Kaikoku" stands for Open Country which is the term used when Matthew C. Perry <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_C._Perry> came to Japan in 1853 in the end of Meiji Era. Japanese government officially announced the detailed about Japan Entry Protocols from 10/11 today. Prime Minister Mr. Kishida told they will change the protocols from 10/11 last week in New York. 1. No-More ERFS procedure The travelers from 68 Visa-Waiver countries are not required VISA to enter from 10/11. No-More preapproval process required such as ERFS during the pandemic. 2. MySOS Due to Booster Vaccination requirement still remaining, MySOS installment will be highly recommended after 10/11 traveling. If you are not Booster Vaccinated, PCR Covid test negative must be required within 72hrs prior to departure. 3. No-more number limits to entry to Japan. Japan lift the number limits to entry from 10/11. So, we expect more seats and routes are open after 10/11. The official notice is still in Japanese ONLY as follows;https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000993077.pdf

【Japan Airlines SET new schedule until 1/31/2023】 https://www.jal.co.jp/flights/en-us/flight-resumption?r=inbound&m=top_bnr_2&inbound=ar#anc_na According to JAL Press release, they set the Japan bound flight schedule to/from the US and decide ORD-HND flights back daily service. They still maintain ORD-NRT service but the reduce the frequency in the winter season. In addition, they decide to resume more flights between LAX-KIX from December. They will fly 3 days a week between LAX-KIX.

【ANA fly more to Haneda from 10/30】 ANA has made an announcement for schedule to Japan from 10/30 to 3/25. According to the press release, they will fly more to Haneda from the US in addition to current Narita routes. https://www.anahd.co.jp/group/en/pr/202208/20220830-2.html They decided to resume the flights from Narita to Osaka/ITM and Chubu/NGO for domestic connection via NRT. It makes more options for customers to fly interior cities in Japan. ANA ORD-Tokyo will be serviced by the newest aircraft 777-300ER equipped The Suite(First Class) and The Room (Business Class). https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/international/promotions/b777-300er/seat-new/

【Delta resumes LAX-HND Routes from 10/30】 Delta Airlines announced they will resume LAX-HND from October 30th. The routes has been suspended due to Covid19 pandemic. They also resume HNL-HND routes from December. 【HND－LAX（2022/10/30～2022/11/28）】 DL8 HND 4:50 p.m. LAX 10:00 a.m. MON/THU/SAT DL7 LAX 9:45 a.m. HND 3:10 p.m. (+1) 　　WED/FRI/SUN 【HND－LAX（2022/12/1～2023/3/24）】 DL8 HND 4:50 p.m. LAX10:00 a.m. DAILY DL7 LAX 9:45 a.m. HND3:10 p.m. (+1) DAILY 【HND－HNL（2022/12/1～2023/3/24）】 DL180 HND 9:00 p.m. HNL 9:00 a.m. Daily DL181 HNL 1:30 p.m. HND 6:00 p.m. (+1) Daily

【Longer wait times at immigration & customs inspection upon arrival in the U.S. and Canada】 ANA warns all international travelers coming to US/Canada about custom and immigration waiting time due to peak season. Please be advised that with the increased number of travelers this summer, many airports in the U.S. and Canada have been experiencing longer wait times during immigration & customs inspection (for foreign travelers) which may impact your travel, especially for those with connecting flights. < Estimated inspection times upon arrival at the airport > - New York flight (NH110) arrives in the morning : approx. 60-90 minutes - Washington, D.C. flight (NH002) arrives in the afternoon : approx. 55-100 minutes - Chicago flight (NH122) arrives in the morning : approx. 30-90 minutes - Chicago flight (NH012) arrives in the afternoon : approx. 60-180 minutes - Houston flight (NH174) arrives in the afternoon : approx. 60-90 minutes - Seattle flight (NH178) arrives in the morning : approx. 45-90 minutes - San Francisco flight (NH008) arrives in the morning : approx. 60-120 minutes - San Francisco flight (NH108) arrives in the afternoon : approx. 60-120 minutes - Los Angeles flight (NH006) arrives in the morning : approx. 60-120 minutes - Los Angeles flight (NH126) arrives in the afternoon : approx. 60-160 minutes - Los Angeles flight (NH106) arrives in the evening : approx. 60-160 minutes - Honolulu flight (NH184) arrives in the morning : approx. 30-50 minutes - Honolulu flight (NH186) arrives in the morning : approx. 30-50 minutes - Vancouver flight (NH136) arrives in the morning : approx. 60-120 minutes - If you are booking a reservation with a connecting flight, please confirm that your itinerary allows plenty of time to make your connection. The time it takes to connect varies for each airport (estimated times over 90 min.), but due to increased congestion please note that there is a possibility that you may miss the connection flight. - If you are unable

【e-Visa will be launched for travel to Japan from 8/18】 https://www.evisa.mofa.go.jp/index?mibextid=ghrler&fs=e&s=cl Japanese Government has announced they will issue e-Visa (Visa issuance by Online) from 8/18 for US and Canadian Travelers. Due to more demands to apply the visa for traveling to Japan in US and Canada, it will be expected less processing time to get the visa to go to Japan. Still they require the same process and documentation such as ERFS before apply online. So, please allow enough time to prepare to travel.

【Canada Entry Restriction Updates】 https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2022/07/government-of-canada-is-re-establishing-mandatory-random-testing-offsite-of-airports-for-air-travellers.html On 7/14, Canadian government updated the entry protocols. Now, they require Mandatory random arrival testing again which was paused last month. It will resume from 7/19. The Government of Canada had paused mandatory random testing for those entering Canada by air on June 11, 2022, as part of a broader strategy to transition testing for air travelers outside of the airports. 【Before you travel to Canada】 Please register "arriveCAN" within 72hrs arrival at Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/services/arrivecan.html Check you need an eTA to enter Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html US Citizens and US Permanent Residents doesn't require eTA from 4/26/2022.

【Japan's borders are about to reopen for foreign tourists】 Japanese givernment has announced the new entry protocols on 5/26. The points are as followings; 1. They categorized the travelers "Blue", "Yellow", and "Red" by where they are from effective from 6/1 arrivals. Fortunately, US, Canada and Mexico are categorized "Blue" which is No-Quarantine required "UPON ARRIVALS". They need to take predeparture Covid PCR test within 72 hrs prior to departure, though. 2. From 6/10, they accept the travelers for leisure purposes with "LIMITED Conditions". All travelers must be "Pre-Arranged" the itinerary and "Escorted" by the guide or travel professionals. It's still not allowed for traveling without Visa or permissions. There are still restrictions remains, but it is really a positive step to open Japan near future. We appreciate your cooperations and understandings.

【US to raise ESTA fee for inbound travelers】 https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Management/US-to-raise-ESTA-fee-for-inbound-travellers#:~:text=US%20Customs%20and%20Border%20Protection,US%20from%20%2414%20to%20%2421. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is to increase the fee it levies on inbound international travelers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to visit the US from $14 to $21.

【Japan to waive virus tests, self-isolation for low-risk arrivals】 https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14625853 Japan will further ease restrictions on people entering the country from June 1, including waiving COVID-19 tests and self-quarantine periods for passengers arriving from low-risk areas, the government announced on May 20. The government will examine the infection situations in countries and regions and categorize them into three groups: red, yellow and blue. Passengers from the red group, the riskiest category in terms of infections, will be required to take the virus tests upon arrival and isolate for three days at designated quarantine facilities. If they have received three vaccine shots, they can self-quarantine at home but still must take the tests upon arrival. Those in the middle-risk yellow group will also be required to take virus tests and self-quarantine at home for three days. But if they have received booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, both requirements will be waived. Those in the low-risk blue group will be exempted from the tests and quarantine rules, even if they have not received their booster shots. The government will announce the countries and regions for each group next week. It will also raise the daily upper limit of new arrivals from 10,000 to 20,000 on June 1. Japan, in principle, banned new entries of foreign nationals in November 2021. But it has since been easing the border restrictions based on the infection situation in the country. The government will also allow a small number of foreign tourists into Japan on an experimental basis this month. Foreign tourists have been denied entry to the country since early 2020.

【When you return to the US, Remeber you need to take an viral test one day prior to departure】 Please note you need to do 3 things when you return to the US. 1. Preparing the proof of Vaccination if you are non-US Citizen. The US government requires all travelers from foreign countries must be fully vaccinated and must show the proof of vaccination upon check in. (If you have the permanent residency (Green-Card), it will be exempted). 2. Covid19 Viral Test within ONE day prior to departure. It is NOT in 24 hours, but ONE Day. So, you can relax a bit. It's OK to do rapid test, but must get the certificates to proof. We recommend you to bring "Binax-now Covid19 Ag Card with TELE-Conference services" from the US if possible. If you are already in Japan, please make sure the certificates have at least the date of birth or the Passport Number. We see a lot of places testing in free or cheap in Japan, but some institution don't provide the certificates following CDC guidelines. Please make sure the faculty or staff there before you take a test. 3. Upload all information to the airline APP Most airlines prepare the APP sucha as Verifly or TRC to upload all documents before cheking in. We strongly recommend to do it so that you can skip long line to check the documents one by one. Have a good trip!

【Mask-up is still REQUIRED for the flights to/from Japan】 Per conversation with the US carriers flying to Japan, they still require the masking rule for a while for the flights to/from Japan. Thanks for your cooperation and understanding for safe travel to Japan!

【Japan Airlines Announced Fuel Surcharge for ticketing after June 2022.】 https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/inter/fare/fuel/detail_overseas.html

【Allow Extra Time for entry to Japan】 Japanese government updates the website about entry protocols by the ministry of Health and Labor. It's only showing in Japanese, but they say all passengers to allow extra time for entry due to more travelers arrival in Japan now. They recommend allow 5 hrs at least if the travelers need to transit to the other interior cities in Japan. Normally, their legal minimum connection time at NRT or HND is 2hrs, and 3hrs and half is required if the travelers need to transfer from NRT/HND by the surface transportation. They warn the travelers they won't reimburse the hotels or transportation even if they miss the connection due to quarantine/custom process. Please note the following process to avoid the unexpected things upon arrival minimum. Fast Track This is MUST item to expedite process upon arrivals. You must complete the process at latest 16 HRS prior to ARRIVAL in Japan. https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/fasttrack/en/ Chose flights earlier arrivals than others. Avoid the flights arriving around 4PM, especially at NRT. Pick up KIX or NGO Direct from the US. DTW-NGO by Delta, LAX-KIX by JAL, or HNL-KIX by Hawaiian are good flights for travelers going to Kansai or Tokai area as FINAL destinations rather than Via Tokyo. Morning Arrival flights LAX-HND and SFO-HND flights are available by ANA which are arrived Tokyo early morning. Most United flights to Narita are good because they arrive at around 2pm; before huge arrivals are expected.

【"Fast Track" is now available at Narita Airport】 From 3/9, Fast Track is available at Narita airport. https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/fasttrack/en/ Fast Track is the application good for using upon arrival in Japan. You can pre-register the some documents such as the negative-certs of Covid19 PCR's, Questionnaire, Pledge, then expedite the process for quarantine. You must complete the process by uploading at latest 16 hour prior to arrival. We are expecting more volume of passengers for March through May due to more students to Japan coming. We strongly recommend to use the app and minimize the process of entry upon arrivals.

Sheraton Suites Chicago Elk Grove

"Get away to our all-suite hotel in Elk Grove Village" Unlock stylish comfort at Sheraton Suites Chicago Elk Grove, an all-suite hotel offering access to the best of the Chicago area. Unpack and stretch out in expansive pet-friendly accommodations with 2-plasma TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi access and ultra-comfortable beds. Savor delectable cuisine at our hotel restaurant and creative cocktails in our stylish lounge. Explore the area's most celebrated attractions around Elk Grove Village including Allstate Arena, LEGOLAND and Ned Brown Busse Woods Forest Preserve. Reach your highest goals in versatile meeting spaces, enhanced by expert planners, free parking, and shuttle service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport is available on a schedule for a nominal fee. After an unforgettable day of business, shopping or sightseeing, take a refreshing dip in our sparkling indoor pool and exhilarate your body in our fitness center with cardio equipment and free weights. Designed for today's discerning traveler, the Sheraton Suites Chicago Elk Grove is sure to impress!

Hilton Garden Inn Houston Westbelt

【Hilton Garden INN Houston Westbelt】 This Hilton Garden Inn is located in Houston's Chinatown. There are so many restaurants within the walking distance. Reservation? email us [email protected]

【Verizon and At&T agree to delay 5G rollout near airports】 Due to those 5G Worries, ANA and JAL cancelled the flights operated by Boeing 777 between US-Japan on 1/19. Since Verizon and At&T agree to delay installment near the airports, they have decided to resume flights between Japan and US from 1/20. We hope those internet giants, Airlines and government will disscuss more and keep the sky safe at all times.

Henn na Hotel New York

KINTETSU ANNOUNCES A SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JAPANESE OWNED HOTEL, HENNA NA NEW YORK! Opening in November 2021, the Henn na Hotel New York, located in midtown Manhattan is Kintetsu’s newest preferred hotel. This is the premier hotel of Japan's Henn na Hotel brand. Blending unique and luxurious amenities, the hotel provides guests with an extraordinary experience starting with a life-size animatronic T. rex in the nature-inspired lobby. KIE clients are entitled to a 15% discount off the best available daily rate! The hotel will be home to Gosuke, an authentic Japanese-style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. KIE clients will enjoy a special discounted breakfast of only $10.00! PLEASE CALL 1-800-CALLKIE or [email protected] FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION!