Beginning Tuesday 11 October, Japan will officially ‘open’ again to visa-free tourism (for 68 countries including the U.S.) without requiring visitors to book through an approved travel agent. Visa-free travel is generally allowed for 90 days.
Note, however, that while Japan is not requiring a COVID test upon arrival, the Japanese government is still requiring that all travelers be triple vaccinated with a booster shot, or provide proof of a negative test 72 hours before departure.
Japan requires that your passport be valid for the entirety of your stay. As a friendly reminder, if you are traveling with children, ensure their passport has not expired. Children’s passports are only valid for five years, not ten.