Information Surrounding Updated Travel Advice 

The DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) has confirmed the travel advice levels have been raised in light of the more sustained local transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The advice level for Australian's has been set to level 4 of 'Do Not Travel'.

Both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Smartraveller websites confirm that the Level 4 advice applies to all international destinations, and also urges anyone currently overseas to return as soon as possible by commercial means.

Smartraveller have issued this advice for two principal reasons:

• You may be more exposed to contracting COVID-19 while travelling overseas. You may come in contact with more people than usual, including during long-haul flights and in crowded airports. Health care systems in some countries will come under strain and may not be as well-equipped as Australia’s. If you’re sick, you may not have your normal support networks.
   
• Overseas travel has become more complex and unpredictable. Many countries are introducing entry or movement restrictions. These are changing often and quickly. Your travel plans may be disrupted. You may be placed in quarantine or denied entry to some countries, and you may need to self-quarantine on return to Australia. Think about what this might mean for your health, and your family, work or study responsibilities.

Please note Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family, can enter Australia  but you’ll need to isolate yourself at home for 14 days from the date you left the affected country.

For more information refer to the Smartraveller Coronavirus (COVID-19) – information for Australian travellers page.

Booking Change and Credit Requests

We understand the current situation is causing uncertainty and therefore have currently input the following policy surrounding novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
For cancellation requests received from 09:00 am AEST on 16 March 2020 customers have the option to rebook or retain its value in credit.

The following travel criteria must apply for a customer to be eligible:

All Arrangements except Japan Rail Passes

• Travel Dates must be: 16 March 2020 to 30 June 2020;
• Revised/alternative travel date must be booked by 31 December 2020 for travel anytime until 31 December 2021 and is subject to availability;
• Customers are subjected to pay for any price difference if the revised/alternative travel date is higher than the original booking;
• Any cancellation fees charged by suppliers and hotels must be paid, however we will try our best to negotiate these;
• If you do not wish to retrain a credit, the initial deposit will be lost, however all additional HIS cancellations fees are waived.

Japan Rail Passes

• Cancellation fees waived for exchange vouchers issued for travel dates: 16 March 2020 to 31 of May 2020;
• For exchange vouchers issued for travel outside of the above dates, standard cancellation fees apply;
• Exchange vouchers must be received back to us before a refund can be arranged, please post to PO Box 1517, Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217

The above policies are only valid until 30 April 2020, to which at this time we will review accordingly.

If you are a wholesale agent with a client booking please contact the reservations team on 1800-802-552 to discuss your clients options. 

Temporary Branch Closures Due to Covid-19

Current Places of Interest & Attraction Closures

Please note as of 13:30 pm (AEST) on the 16th of March 2020, the following places of interests or attractions have announced closures.

TOKYO

• Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea: 29 February 2020 - Beginning of April
• Ghibli Museum: 25 February 2020 - 28 April 2020
• TeamLab Borderless: 29 February 2020 until further notice
• TeamLab Planets: 29 February 2020 - 22 March 2020
• Sanrio Purioland: 22 February 2020 - 20 March 2020
• Observatories at Tokyo Metropolitan Building: 27 February 2020 - 31 March 2020
• Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation: 28 February 2020 - 17 March 2020
• National Museum of Nature and Science: 29 February 2020 - 16 March 2020
• National Theatre, Engei Hall, Noh Theatre, and Bunraku Theatre: 28 February 2020 - 15 March 2020
• Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa: 29 February 2020 – 15 March 2020
• Yomiuri Land: 29 February 2020 – 15 March 2020
• Tokyo Skytree: 29 February 2020 until further notice
• Ueno Zoological Gardens: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Tokyo Sea Life Park: 29 February 2020 – 15 March 2020
• Edo Tokyo Museum: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020

NAGOYA

• Nagoya Castle: 29 February 2020 – 13 March 2020
• Scmaglev and Railway Park: 29 February 2020 – 17 March 2020                  
• Legoland: 29 February 2020 – 15 March 2020      
• Toyota Factory Tour: 02 March 2020 – 03 April 2020                        
• Toyota Kaikan: 02 March 2020 – 14 March 2020                 
• Inuyama Castle: 29 February 2020 – 13 March 2020        

KANAZAWA

• Kanazawa 21st Century Museum: 29 February 2020 – 15 March 2020
• Kanazawa Public Museums: 29 February 2020 – 15 March 2020

OSAKA

• Universal Studios Japan: 29 February 2020 - 22 March 2020
• Osaka Castle: 29 February 2020 - 15 March 2020
• National International Museum: 29 February 2020 – 15 March 2020
• Osaka Science Museum: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Osaka Natural Science Museum: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Osaka Oriental Xeramic Museum: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Illusion Museum: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Osaka History Museum: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Peace Osaka: 29 February 2020 – 21 March 2020
• Osaka Museum of Art: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Boat Race Suminoe: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Tsutenkaku: 02 March 2020 – 13 March 2020
• Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium: 02 March 2020 – 15 March 2020
• Kid's Plaza: 28 February 2020 – 19 March 2020   
• Tenpozan Market Place: 02 March 2020 – 15 March 2020              
• Legoland Discovery Centre: 02 March 2020 – 15 March 2020     

KYOTO

• Nijo Castle (inside Ninomaru-goten Palace): 01 March 2020 – 15 March 2020        
• Kyoto Modern Art Museum: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020  
• Kyoto Domoto Insho Museum: 29 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Saga Arashiyama Bunkakan: 28 February 2020 – 16 March 2020
• Museum of Tea: 02 March 2020 – 17 March 2020                            
• Museum of the Culture of Kyoto: 28 February 2020 – 16 March 2020        
• National Museum of Kyoto: 27 February 2020 – 16 March 2020   
• Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Art Museum: 22 February 2020 until further notice
• Kyoto Railway Museum: 29 February 2020 – 15 March 2020 

NARA        

• Nara National Museum of Art: 28 February 2020 – 15 March 2020
• Nara National Museum: 27 February 2020 – 15 March 2020         

HIROSHIMA

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: 29 February 2020 - 19 March 2020
• Hiroshima Castle: 29 February 2020 - 19 March 2020

OITA

• Harmonyland: 22 February 2020 - 12 March 2020
  
• Sapporo Beer Kyushu Factory: 25 February 2020 until further notice         
• Oita Museum: 02 March 2020 until further notice