A Guide to Entering Japan during the Pandemic

Published by Simon Lenoe at August 20, 2021

How to prepare for the most unusual trip of your life

A few months ago, after I finally made the decision to come to Japan, I had two things on my mind. First, I had to figure out a place to live. Second, I had to deal with a ton of documents, questionnaires and other information necessary for entering Japan. One of my Japanese professors joked that Japan has entered a new era of sakoku (鎖国), in reference to the centuries of self-imposed isolation that Japan underwent before being forced open in the 19th century. In a way, some foreigners flying into Tokyo today may think of themselves like the Dutch traders who were allowed to land in Nagasaki during the Tokugawa era; they are a privileged few.

Japan is under a lot of pressure to keep coronavirus cases down. Vaccine rollout has been slow here, with only 27 percent vaccinated as of August 2021. While the government has managed to keep cases down in the context of the Olympic Games, the delta variant has wreaked havoc on Japan’s mostly unvaccinated population.

Because I am a Japanese national and hold a Japanese passport, I was able to enter the country without a visa. While this made my entry into Japan significantly smoother, I can still tell you about the process that ALL international arrivals must go through when they enter Japan. That said, this article will not be covering the process of applying for a visa or residency in Japan. It assumes that either you are a Japanese national or resident, or you currently hold a visa to enter the country.

I hope this article eases the minds of anyone who is nervous about entering Japan. I’ve created a step-by-step guide of what you’ll need before you leave, and what you’ll see upon getting off the plane. This article will tell you:

What documents you’ll need to enter Japan
What to expect when you arrive

A Word on Entering Japan
Resources
What about Vaccinations?
The Timeline
Your Checklist for Departing to Japan
Departure: Get Your Results Checked
Arrival in Japan: What You Will See and Hear
Three-Day Quarantine in a Hotel (Green Slip)
Quarantining Two Weeks
Concluding Thoughts

A Word on Entering Japan:

Obviously, the pandemic is making entering Japan increasingly difficult. I was lucky enough to have relatives and family friends here who could put me up during my quarantine, drive me from place to place, and provide me with food. For those without a support system in Japan, be prepared to have a less comfortable experience entering the country. While the Japanese government does pay for a 3-day quarantine in some cases, you may have to pay for the next 11 days at a hotel. You cannot use public transportation during your quarantine period, so you may have to pay for a chartered car from the airport. This will likely be very expensive, and could be in the range of 30,000 yen or about 300 US dollars. If you are coming as an ALT or via JET, your company or program may arrange a hotel and car for you, but this will depend on which program you belong to.

If you get the feeling that this is unfair, I don’t blame you. Having to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a car service when one could easily board a subway seems like a pain at best and discriminatory at worst. It’s best to keep in mind in these situations that Japanese re-entering Japan are subject to the same regulations as foreigners. Especially with the vaccinated individuals still able to spread the highly contagious Delta Variant, you can understand why Japan is tightening up restrictions now.

Those who value privacy may not want their phones tracked by the Japanese government during quarantine. Unfortunately, this is obligatory for all people entering the country at this time. If it’s any consolation, the Ministry of Health will not know where you are at every waking hour for two weeks. You are only asked to report your location at designated times using the Overseas Entrants Locator app.

Finally, consider all of these measures as an extension of the Japanese belief in collective responsibility. Just like everyone is doing their part at combating the virus by wearing masks and socially distancing, you’ll be doing your part by staying in a house or hotel for two weeks. In the meantime, if you need some entertainment, Japanese Netflix has a ton of exclusive movies to watch. I filled my time with “Honey and Clover,” but there are many more to choose from.

Resources:

Currently, there are all kinds of official and unofficial resources that inform people about entering Japan. I will recommend the ones that I made use of. Several airlines like ANA and JAL provide comprehensive information in English to their customers departing to Japan. They lay out very clearly what needs to be done before flying, and for that reason, I recommend them as the first resources to consult.

The Ministry of Health changes regulations often. I am a perfect example. Two weeks before leaving, I learned that entrants travelling from New York State (my state of residence in the US) would be required to quarantine for three days in a hotel. About four days before I left however, I was informed that I would not be required to quarantine in a hotel, and that I could do it in my house if I wanted. Keeping up with these important updates and changing your plans accordingly are paramount in planning your trip.

What about Vaccinations?

Unfortunately, whether you are vaccinated for COVID-19 or not, the same restrictions apply. You still need a visa to enter the country, which at this stage will be very difficult to obtain. If you were planning on vacationing in Japan this summer, you’ll likely have to make other arrangements. When I entered Japan, I had been fully vaccinated for about two months. Immigration did not ask me any questions about my vaccination status. In other words, if you are entering Japan, you’ll have to go through the same process, even if you are fully vaccinated. Since then, Japan has been checking the vaccination status of new arrivals, but don’t expect your vaccination status to exempt you from quarantine anytime soon.

The Timeline:

Here is a recommended plan for preparing for your trip to Japan.

1-2 Months before Departure: Get Information

Congratulations, you’ve booked your flight and are headed to Japan! Your next move is to collect as much information as possible to prepare yourself. At this point, there are three questions you should find the answers to:

Where am I required to quarantine and for how long?
Where can I get a nasopharyngeal PCR COVID test?
Where can I get the latest updates on changes in government policy?

As of right now, anyone entering Japan is required to quarantine for 14 days. Where you quarantine depends on whether or not you are coming from a “high-risk area” as defined by the Ministry of Health. If you are in a high-risk area, you are required to spend the first three days of quarantine in a hotel provided by the Japanese government. If not, you are asked to make your own arrangements for the 14-day quarantine. Finding out whether your area is “high risk” is a bit tricky, but my recommendation is that you subscribe to emails from your local Japanese consulate. For example, I live in New York State, so I got my emails from the Consulate General in New York. You can find your local Japanese consulate or embassy here.

I arranged to quarantine at my uncle’s house in Gunma Prefecture. Even though I am registered at my grandmother’s house in Yamanashi, she is elderly and therefore deemed to be at high risk for developing illness from COVID-19. For that reason, I felt it would be best to stay at my uncle’s house. For residents of Japan returning to quarantine, it’s alright to quarantine in a place that is not your registered domicile, as long as you report it. People arriving in Japan without a place to stay can consult this webpage to find a hotel designated for quarantine by the Japanese government. If you are entering via some fellowship program (i.e. Fulbright or JET), they may provide you with a place to quarantine.

Another thing you should start thinking about is transportation. Using public transportation is prohibited upon return to Japan until you complete your quarantine. You’ll need to arrange some other approved form of transport to get to your quarantine location. I had my uncle pick me up from the airport. If you don’t have family in Japan, you can hire a car to take you where you need to go. If you are flying with ANA into Haneda or Narita Airport, you can get a chartered car to your hotel with Eastern Airport Motors Co., although you’ll have to pay with an ANA card. As I said before, this may prove to be quite expensive, so keep this in mind upon arrival at the airport.

Lastly, you should start looking for the place to take your nasopharyngeal COVID test as soon as possible. Your test needs to be a nasopharyngeal PCR test. Nasopharyngeal is the type of test where a swab gets stuck deep in your nose, so prepare yourself for a little bit of discomfort. This test needs to be done 72 hours before your departing flight to Japan. If you have a connecting flight before your flight to Japan, ignore that time and find the time your plane to Japan is leaving. You should then print out the “Certificate of Negative Test Result”. This is a form that will show you tested negative for the virus before leaving for Japan. Ask your testing location if they are willing to fill out the form as well as how long it will take for you to get your test results.

In the United States at least, most doctor’s offices don’t perform COVID tests. Your best bet is to find either a hospital or urgent care that will provide you not only with the test, but lab results as well. It’s a good idea to have lab results, just in case there are questions about your test upon your entry into Japan. Some urgent cares offer walk-in appointments only, meaning that you cannot schedule a test in advance. Keep this in mind when thinking about when to get your test.

1 Week before Departure: Fill out Questionnaire

Once you’ve arranged where you’ll be quarantined, you can fill out the questionnaire provided by the Ministry of Health. It will ask you where you are planning to stay for quarantine, and whether you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. Once you complete the questionnaire, you’ll be given a QR code. I would highly recommend printing out this QR Code, since you’ll have to present it to the authorities at the airport.

2-3 Days Before Departure: Get Tested

Before you finalize when you plan to get tested, double check the departing time of your flight to Japan to make sure you are getting the test within 72 hours before departure. If you don’t schedule your test accordingly, you may not be able to board your flight to Japan. Once you’ve taken your test, you’ll need to wait 1-2 days for the results. Although my urgent care location said it would be 2-3 days before I received my results, I luckily received them within 12 hours. This may not apply to your test, however, so I suggest taking the test 72 hours before your departing flight, so the results have enough time to get back to you.

1 Day before Departure: Download Apps

There are three apps to download on your phone before leaving for Japan. These apps are utilized by the Japanese government to track your location and make sure you are not breaking quarantine. They also inform you if you’ve come within close contact of anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Below is a summary of the three apps.

Overseas Entrants Locator: This app uses the location device on your phone to register your location at designated times. This app does not passively record your location. Rather, throughout the day, you’ll receive notifications asking you to press the “I’m Here” button, showing that you are at your quarantine location.

MySOS: From this app you’ll receive video calls from the Ministry of Health, periodically checking in on your status and that you are in your quarantined location. you’ll need to enable the use of your microphone and camera on this app.

COCOA: This is the contact tracing app for COVID-19 in Japan. If you test positive for COVID, you are expected to register the result with authorities using this app.

Unfortunately for you privacy-heads out there, you’ll need to turn on the tracker on your phone in order to register your location. In addition, you’ll need to allow mySOS to access your camera and audio since authorities will be video calling you. Make sure you have the latest version of the apps before leaving for Japan.

You should have also returned to your testing location and gotten a signature certifying your negative test result. Ask for a sheet of paper reporting the test result as well. Once you’ve that filled out, I would recommend keeping a folder with all necessary documentation.

Your Checklist for Departing to Japan:

Take a look at this checklist and make sure you’ve done everything before leaving.

You should have a folder with:

A Certificate of Negative Test Result, fully filled out and signed with a seal
A report of the test result from your testing location
The QR Code you printed after filling out the questionnaire
Check that you have your passport and visa as well (Always important!)

You should also have done the following with your phone:

Downloaded the mySOS App
Downloaded the COCOA App
Downloaded the Overseas Entrants Locator App
Enabled Bluetooth and Location for all these apps

Congratulations! You have everything you need to get to Japan!

Departure: Get Your Test Results Checked

When you check in at your departing airport, the airline attendant will likely ask for your COVID test results and Certificate of Negative Test. You’ll get both back– they just want to check whether you’ve gotten the right test for travel to Japan.

Arrival in Japan: What You Will See and Hear

I flew into Haneda Airport in Tokyo, so your experience may differ from mine, depending on the airport you arrive at, as well as how many other people are arriving at the same time. This is because you’ll be taking a saliva COVID test upon arrival in Japan. You are required to wait in the airport while the results of your test are being processed, so the number of people arriving on a particular day may affect how long you have to wait. I was lucky in that it only took me two hours from getting off the plane to meeting my uncle at the parking lot. This was because there were only about 40 people on my flight from Detroit to Tokyo (the least crowded flight of my life, I might add).

Forms Given to You on the Plane to Japan:

Before the plane departs, flight attendants will come around and hand out two forms. The first is a written pledge that promises you’ll follow the guidelines of quarantine as outlined by the Japanese government. It will also ask you to report where you are coming from, whether you have COVID symptoms, and your phone number and email address. This is a packet of multiple pages, so make sure to fill it out carefully. The second is a slip of paper which is just a customs declaration. Fill out both these forms before taking off, and then sit back and relax for the rest of the flight. You can’t go wrong with an episode or two of “30 Rock” on the plane, either.

Pre-Arrival Checklist:

Check that you have the following forms before your arrival in Japan:

Your passport and visa (if necessary)
Your signed Certificate of Negative Test Result
A report of your test results
The QR code you received after filling out the questionnaire
A customs declaration slip
Your pledge form packet
Your boarding pass (You may need to show this to authorities when you arrive)

First Steps off the Plane:

Upon arrival, you’ll be asked to remain in your seat until the authorities say it’s alright to deplane. You’ll likely hear someone from the Ministry of Health introduce themselves and ask for your patience on the plane intercom. You’ll then hear an announcement that it’s okay to leave the plane. As you are leaving, you’ll be greeted by several people at the entrance to the gate. They will ask to see your test results, pledge and QR code. This is just a preliminary check to see that you have all the necessary documents to proceed. You’ll be led to another desk where they will check if you’ve fully filled out your pledge. They might also ask for your boarding pass to confirm where you are coming from.

Saliva Test:

Next, you’ll likely be ushered down a long hallway and into a room where you’ll be asked to show your pledge form and ID. You’ll get a sticker with a barcode on the pledge form with a number on it. The same barcode and number will be placed on a sample tube. You’ll be asked to spit into the tube for a saliva sample, which you can hand to the collector after you’ve filled the tube up over a red line. Hold onto the page of the pledge with a barcode on it; this is now your health card or kenkou kaado (健康カード). you’ll need this card for later.

Next Stop: Phone App Check and Instructions

Next, you’ll be led into another room where someone will help you set up the three phone apps you installed on your phone. You’ll need to make sure you’ve enabled bluetooth and location settings. After that, you’ll go to a desk where someone will record your email. During quarantine, you’ll be asked to answer a questionnaire that you’ll receive via email to track your symptoms. The attendant will also hand you a packet with all the instructions for using the apps while in quarantine.

Immigration:

Next, you’ll move to the immigration desk. The officer there will confirm where you are staying for quarantine and that you have a transportation method other than public transportation to get there. This part of the process was one of the easiest for me, mostly because I had arranged everything beforehand. You’ll then be directed to the location where you’ll wait for the test results.

Awaiting Test Results:

Remember the last three digits on your health card? Great! You can now sit in the waiting area and wait until the screen in front of you displays your number. There will be a desk you go to and show your health card. At this point (provided you test negative), the desk workers will hand you either a green or red slip. The red slip means you can quarantine in your chosen location. The green slip means you must quarantine in a hotel for three days because you’ve come from a high-risk area. As stated before, I came from New York State, meaning that I could avoid the hotel and go straight into quarantine at my uncle’s house.

Final Steps:

You’re almost there! Next you’ll show a person your quarantine slip, health card and passport. You’ll then proceed to your passport check. If you are a citizen of Japan, you can simply go through an electronic passport scanning station. You’ll likely go through a more scrutinous check if you are a non-Japanese national, and probably be asked to show your residency status or visa. The final step, after retrieving your baggage of course, is Customs. If you’ve filled out the customs form on the plane, this should be no problem. If you received the green slip, you’ll then likely board a chartered car to your hotel. As for me, I exited into the parking lot of Haneda Airport where my uncle was waiting to pick me up.

Three-Day Quarantine in a Hotel (Green Slip):

If you are required to begin your quarantine in a hotel, I can provide you with a limited idea of what will happen. As I was not required to stay in a hotel myself, I am not speaking from experience, but from hearsay. You will not need to pay for this stage of quarantine as the Japanese government pays for it and feeds you. I heard from a friend that the best part of the whole experience is “breakfast, lunch and dinner.” However, I’ve also heard of people who are disappointed after receiving cold bentos for every meal. Keep in mind that you might be going a couple of days without a hot meal. More urgently, anyone who is vegetarian, vegan, or with other dietary restrictions may find themselves in a difficult situation. There appear to be limited options for meals in the hotels designated for quarantine, and they seem to vary widely by region and municipality. It’s already difficult for people with certain allergies (e.g. gluten free, tree nut allergies) to get proper food in Japan, and this is also the case in quarantine. If I find any resources about informing a hotel of dietary restrictions, I will duly update this article.

Quarantining: Two Weeks

No matter where you are quarantining, the next 14 days will look something like this:

When you arrive at your quarantine space, press the “Check-In” button on the OEL app. This will tell the authorities you’ve arrived at your quarantine location.
You’ll receive notifications from the app asking you to press the “I’m Here” button throughout the day. This will also register your location.
Unless you or someone around you tests positive for COVID, you will not receive any notifications from the COCOA app.
About once a day, someone from the local Health Ministry will contact you via mySOS. They will likely ask you to show your face and the room you are in.

Continue this for 14 days, and voila! You’ll be out of quarantine!

Concluding Thoughts:

Traveling anywhere right now is particularly difficult. Japan is no exception. In fact, tourism in Japan right now is virtually impossible. As seems to be the case with many things in Japan, if you have the proper documents prepared, things turn out to be surprisingly easy. As long as you do everything in a timely manner and stay on top of any changes on the part of the government, things will turn out alright. Don’t fret! Your hard work will pay off and you’ll soon find yourself enjoying a nice bowl of ramen in Tokyo, or some fresh pickled cucumbers in Gunma, in my case.

A Guide to Entering Japan during the Pandemic

How to prepare for the most unusual trip of your life