This will be the first time since the pandemic began that Wendy Wu has operated tours to Japan and represents one of the final milestones in resuming tourism to Asia, Wendy Wu said.

Following the announcement by Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida, the tour operator says this week has been one of its busiest weeks for Japan bookings since 2019.

Travel enquiries on Japan were up almost 170% on the previous week, and nearly 75% of enquiries were from travel agents, according to Wendy Wu.

Wendy Wu Tours’ chief executive Glen Mintrim said: “Wendy Wu Tours is ready to step into action as soon as we receive the green light from Japan, which is now imminent.

"The demand is astounding, particularly for spring cherry blossom tours in March and April 2023, so much so that the extra capacity we’ve added for 2023, and even into 2024, is selling out as quickly as it goes on sale.”

Japan’s rejigged border measures divide countries into three Covid risk groups – blue, yellow and red – with the UK currently considered in the low-risk blue group.

Guided, pre-scheduled tours from the UK will be allowed without vaccinated travellers needing tests or quarantine on arrival. Japan said it will take some time before individual travel is allowed.

Wendy Wu is currently offering free flights to Japan on all 2022/23 departures, bookable by 6 June 2022.