Guide To Arriving in Japan During COVID-19

6/15/2021 Guide to Arriving in Japan During COVID-19 | Tokyo Cheapo
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Guide to Arriving in Japan During COVID-19
May 5th, 2021 | Greg Lane

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Home / Getting around
Since COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions were imposed at the start
of April 2020, international arrivals into Japan have plunged. Foreign
tourists are still blocked from entry and, and even foreigners with legal
residence in Japan were barred from re-entry until September, 2020.
While foreign tourists are not expected to be permitted to enter Japan
before Fall 2021, legal foreign residents (except those coming from
designated high risk countries subject to denial of landing—see below)
who want to return are permitted to do so.
Irrespective of your citizenship and port of departure, strict testing and self-quarantine
procedures are in place.
Jump to:
Disclaimer
Restricted countries
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Permission to return to Japan
Predeparture testing
Quarantine accommodation and transport
Arrival, testing and immigration procedures
Where can I get more information?
Disclaimer
We try to be accurate, but we do not have all the facts about the requirements and
procedures regarding re-entry to Japan. There may be different requirements
depending on your circumstances, port of departure, port of arrival, etc. Also, the
situation is changing from day to day and week to week. If you are concerned about
anything regarding your arrival, do not rely on this article, contact your nearest
Japanese consulate or embassy.
If you need some expert advice on visas, we’ve teamed up with Japan
immigration lawyers to answer your enquiries. This isn’t free, but if you
fill out our form, they will give you professional advice. For more general, free
arrival advice, try our community forum.
No, this is not Narita Airport after hours. | Photo by Friend of TC
Travel restrictions by country
Due to the designation of certain countries as high risk due to the emergence of new
variants, there are effectively three tiers of restriction based on country. As of this
update (May 21, 2021) 159 countries in the world are on Japan’s restricted travel list. A
handful of countries have been removed from the list, but this just means (to the best of
our understanding) that new (non tourist) visa holders from these countries may be
permitted to enter Japan. Countries removd from the restricted travel list are:
Australia
Brunei
China (including Hong Kong and Macau)
South Korea
New Zealand
Singapore
Taiwan
If you are returning to Japan from any foreign country (including the countries in the list
above), the regular testing and quarantine procedures (explained in the arrival
procedures section below) will apply.
If you are returning from one of the following high-risk countries, a more restrictive
quarantine regime will be enforced on your arrival. We will explain more about this in
the quarantine section of this article.
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada (Ontario only)
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Ireland
o Japan Predeparture testing Quarantine accommodation and transport Arrival, testing and
Israel
Lebanon
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Nigeria
Pakistan
Philippines
Peru
Poland
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
South Africa
Thailand
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America (States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut,

Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Florida, Michigan and Minnesota)
If you are a foreign resident of Japan who has been in one of the following countries in
the last 14 days, the Japanese government is (as of May 20th, 2021) denying permision
to enter Japan. The official notice is here. Japanese nationals returning from these
countries must stay in enforced isolation and quarantine at a hotel for 6 days and to
pass COVID-19 tests on day 3 and day 6 before continuing their 14 day quarantine at
home (more on quarantine below).
Bangladesh
India
Malaysia
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Vietnam
For information about business travel (currently suspended), see our article on travel
bubbles.
Do I need permission to re-enter Japan?
As of November 1st, 2020, legal foreign residents of Japan no longer needed to submit
travel plans before leaving or to request permission to return before boarding their
flight back to Japan. This applies to all nationalities and all countries of departure for
returning to Japan with the exception of the mainly south-Asian countries on the list
above.
However, current advice from the Immigration Services Agency (a department of the
Ministry of Justice) is to “cancel any short-term travel”. The Japanese government’s
rules regarding travel and quarantine seem to change at a faster rate than mutations of
COVID-19 appear, so there is no guarantee that you will be able to return if you decide
to leave Japan at present.
With luck, your flight will be as empty as this one. | Photo by Friend of TC
Predeparture testing
Everyone entering Japan (both Japanese citizens and foreign residents) is required to
get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure and to bring the certificate of
negative test result during their travels. You can print out a PDF version of a form on
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website that should be signed by the medical
professional providing the test result. In many countries, the government runs free
COVID-19 testing centers. Although “free” is great, we strongly recommend you look
for a specialist “pre-departure testing” clinic that can comply with the requirements.
The unavoidable downside of this, is that the fees are very expensive, although not as
expensive as having to change all your travel plans. If the testing center can’t comply,
the Ministry of Justice states that when the test result uses a different format, the
written information should be the same as that on the document in the prescribed
format (linked above). Note that this is a strict requirement. People are routinely
refused to check-in by airlines if any information is missing from the test result
certificate. According to an airline staff member, the most commonly ommitted detail
(that results in people being sent home) is failure to fill out the sample collection date
and time that proves the test was taken inside the 72 hour pre-departure window.
Depending on where you are, getting the test result may take 1 to 2 days. You should
get tested as soon as the 72-hour window opens so that you aren’t scrambling to get
the certificate right before departure.
The test can be one of the following three methods: PCR, LAMP or CLEIA (antigen
test). The way that the test is administered is also important. Some returnees have
been forced to return to their countries of origin from the airport because the test was
administered with a throat swab instead of either saliva or a nasopharyngeal swab (the
very long swab that goes right up into your sinuses, not a simple nasal swab). This
article on a Chinese woman who had to return to her country from the airport has more
on this topic.
Top tip: If you are flying in from London, see our guide on where to get a “Fit to Fly”
COVID certificate before your departure.
Quarantine and enforced/self-isolation requirements
Self-isolation
You don’t have to arrange accommodation and transport before arriving, but the more
organized that you are, and the more documentation that you have, the less likely that
officials will put you on a flight back to where you came from. For example, if you plan
to self-isolate in a hotel, you should have print-outs of the name and address of the
hotel along with a booking confirmation.
All arrivals are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days. You can do this at home,
at a hotel, with friends or relatives, in company housing or in a short-term rental
apartment.
The big problem is you cannot use public transport to get there. Public transport
includes trains, buses, regular taxis, and connecting domestic flights. So if you live in
Aomori but you arrive at Narita, your options are to drive all the way to Aomori or
quarantine somewhere close to the airport.
Enforced quarantine for high-risk countries
If you are from one of the aforementioned high-risk countries, you will be taken to a
government managed isolation facility (probably a hotel near the airport) for a period of
three days. As long as you return a negative PCR test on day 3, you will be permitted to
continue your self-isolation either at home, at a hotel or other accommodation. Upon
leaving managed isolation, you will be returned to the airport at which you arived. The
same rules apply in regard to transport after finishing your enforced quarantine—you
can’t take a taxi or public transport (see the arranging transport section below for the
few exceptions) to your next destination.
If you are required to complete the government enforced quarantine, you will be
confined to your (small) room for the full three days until you receive your last day
negative test. You can’t leave your room to exercise, you’ll receive three cold bento
(with limited options for special diets), and you can’t order food or anything else to be
delivered to your room. For this reason, it might be a good idea to pack a supply of food
and snacks (be careful not to bring restricted items) with you before you leave for
Japan.
Booking accommodation
If you don’t plan to or can’t do your 14 days of self-isolation at home, you need to book
accommodation. Another reason to book accommodation is to avoid restrictions that
may be placed on your family members. It’s not a government requirement that they
isolate with you, but many schools and workplaces require their students or employees
to stay home if a family member has recently returned to Japan.
There are technically no restrictions on self-isolating at a hotel, but, practically, many

hotels may not permit guests to self-quarantine after returning from overseas. Although
it may narrow your options, in the interests of protecting the hotel staff, other guests
and the hotel’s business, it’s the ethical thing to disclose that you will be self-isolating
after returning from overseas.
A small room in a business hotel will cost you about 5,000 yen/night, while basic meals
(eaten in your room) will cost an additional 3,000 yen/day (on average), bringing the 14-
day cost to about 112,000 yen. You may want to carefully consider if you can handle the
mental stress of being shut in a tiny room for two weeks, though.
An alternative to hotels are private accommodation operators and Airbnb, both of

which provide a much more comfortable environment. Some operators are actively
courting business from returnees, while others may refuse your booking.
Arranging transport
Returnees are not permitted to use public transport. However, recently very limited bus
(from Narita or Haneda) and train travel (from Narita only) has been allowed.
Another consideration when arranging transport is that the testing, processing,

customs and immigration process may take a few hours, but this has been getting
faster (see following section). It is possible to arrange transport on arrival, but it doesn’t
hurt to know all the options first.
1. Limousine Bus to specific hotels
From December 16th, there has been a very limited exception for arrivals at Narita and
Haneda. There are now buses for the exclusive use of international arrivals that can
take you directly to any of 12 hotels in central Tokyo. You must be staying at and
planning to complete your quarantine at one of the (mostly expensive) hotels on the
list. If you plan to quarantine at home, Airbnb, or a hotel not among the 12 listed, then
you will be refused. Here is the list of available hotels and the booking procedure.
2. Skyliner trains from Narita Airport to Ueno Station
From December 28th, international arrivals have been permitted to catch designated
Keisei Skyliner carriages from Narita Airport to Ueno Station.
On arrival at Ueno Station, passengers in the designated carriages will use a different
exit than other passengers that keeps them separate from the general public. From the
platform, they will be ushered to the basement where they can take a “corona taxi”
private driver service (see below) or be picked up in a private vehicle. Keisei is offering
a combined package with train ticket and hire car (corona taxi), which they have
branded Keisei Smart Access Premium (link in Japanese only) which can be booked for
¥20,000. If you can arrange your own transport (ie. someone is picking you up) there is
also a plain old Keisei Smart Access (link in Japanese only) package which includes the
Skyliner from Narita Airport to Ueno, and one hour free parking voucher for the Keisei
Ueno Station parking lot for ¥4,500. If you can’t prove that you have a ride from Ueno
station (not a taxi) then you can’t use this option.
There are 15 services each day with designated carriages for international arrivals, with
the first service departing Terminal 1 at 9:36am and the last service departing at 7pm.
You can book the “Keisei Smart Access” ticket at the counter at Narita Airport or
through the links above. The “Keisei Smart Access Premium” can’t be booked on the
day of arrival—you need to book it at least one day in advance. Due to expected delays
on arrival, Keisei recommends booking a train that departs from Narita Airport at least
three hours after your scheduled arrival. However, “Keisei Smart Access Premium” is
not available on the last service of the day. The last service with the Keisei Smart
Access Premium option leaves Terminal 1 at 6:20pm and Terminal 2 at 6:25pm, so if
your flight arrives after 3:20pm, you will need to choose a different transport option.
Diolabs—mentioned in the Corona Taxi section below—also offers pick ups from Ueno
Station for ¥12,000, a saving of ¥3,500 over the premium option from Keisei.
3. Private vehicle
We can’t find any specific requirements for private vehicles except that quarantiners
are requested to go straight to their place of self-quarantine without stopping off
anywhere along the way. (We don’t have any info on motorcycles.)
4. Rental car
If you decide to book a rental car to get home, make sure the company has a depot
within walking distance of your house or apartment at which you can drop the car off,
as you still will not be permitted to take public transport.
Compact rental cars can cost as little as 5,500 yen, plus refueling costs and ETC
charges for a day, which is much cheaper than the corona taxi.
5. “Corona taxi” private driver service
A so-called “corona taxi” is usually a van with a driver. They may or may not have extra
measures in place such as plastic barriers between the driver and passengers.
The usual prices quoted are from 25,000 yen to 30,000 yen from Narita to central Tokyo,
and about 12,000 yen from Haneda to central Tokyo. There may be “night charges” if
you are departing after 6pm.
To the best of our knowledge, this private transfer from Haneda and this private transfer
from Narita should be acceptable to quarantine officials. However, it is recommended
that you confirm directly with the transport company before finalizing your booking,
just to make 100% sure.
The Haneda transfer can be booked on the same day, and has an overtime surcharge
option, which is handy if the testing and other procedures at the airport end up taking
longer than anticipated.
The Narita transfer needs to be booked a couple of days in advance, and specifies a
maximum of 90 minutes of wait time should you run late. It’s a good idea to speak to
the company in advance to confirm what to do in the event of a delay.
Alternatively, two services recommended by other returnees are Diolabs Car Service
and Rakuraku Taxi (use their Japanese page to avoid paying an extra 10,000yen for
booking in English!).
6. Walk
If you are staying in nearby Narita and you don’t mind walking with your luggage for a
few kilometers, then this is actually an option!
Arrival, testing, and immigration procedures
Pre-COVID, arrival was a breeze, especially at Haneda Airport. Now, based on reports
from arrivals who have recently been through the process, you should plan for it take
between 2 to 3 hours. The most common reported time for everything to be completed
is about 2 hours.
Before arrival
Depending on the airline, while on board, you may receive three forms—a health
questionnaire, a Health Card (another paper questionnaire) and a pledge document. If
you don’t receive them onboard, you will be given them on arrival. You’re also required
to fill out an online health form, but we’ll go into more detail on that in the apps section
below.
Testing and procedures on arrival
Depending on how many other flights need to be processed (each flight is processed
separately so there is no mixing of passengers), you may need to stay seated on your
plane (although recently this has improved a lot).
Queue for testing at Narita Airport | Photo by Friend of TC
When it’s your turn, passengers will be allowed to disembark and proceed to a waiting
area where you will be seated and the first passport and form check happens. If you
haven’t got the forms from the plane, they’ll give them to you to fill out at this point—
having a document holder and pen comes in very handy. You will then proceed to
individual interviews during which medical staff will ask about your movements, any
symptoms, answers you gave on the health questionnaire and they’ll also examine your
certificate of negative COVID-19 test result that you took within 72 hours of departure.
Next, you will fill a small vial with spit for a saliva COVID-19 test. You aren’t supposed to
have eaten or consumed any liquids for 30 minutes before the test. After spending
hours in the dry cabin of a long haul flight, it is surprisingly difficult to produce the
amount of saliva required for the test! If you can’t produce enough saliva, you will get a
nasal swab instead. Babies too, who are unable to produce saliva on demand, will get a
nasal swab test. The test is administered free of charge.
The waiting area for receiving test results. | Photo by Friend of TC
After your test, you will proceed to the area where they will check to see if you have the
required apps on your phone (see apps section below). They’ll also dig into the settings
to make sure you have turned on the required notifications and permissions. They’ll
also send you a test email to make sure the email address you provided is working, so
use an email account that you can access on your phone.
After apps are installed and email address confirmed, you will proceed to a results
waiting area where staff will give you a number. When the number is announced, you
can proceed to the final step in which you will be issued with a negative test result
certificate. After this, immigration, baggage collection, and customs are the same as
usual.
Results used to take 1 to 2 days, but with the newer saliva test, your result should be
available from 30 minutes to 2 hours after it is administered.
In total, from arrival of your flight at the gate to exiting into the arrivals lounge, it will
probably take you from 90 minutes to 2 hours, although this may vary depending on
flight volume.
Written pledge
In an effort to reduce breaches of self-isolation and quarantine, as of January 14, 2021,

both Japanese and foreign nationals have been required to sign a written pledge upon
arrival stating that they will follow the quarantine rules. If a foreign national is deemed
to have broken the pledge, their visa may be revoked—no matter what your status. The
authorities can’t kick Japanese citizens out, so their punishment is to be named and
shamed.
For new visa entrants (currently suspended) a pledge is also required from the
employer or in the case of students, from the institution at which they will study.
Apps you must have on your mobile
All international arrivals are required to have or install five different apps on their
phones. These are COCOA (COVID-19 Contact App), the Overseas Entrants Locator
(OEL) app, Google Maps (or equivalent), MySOS (Skype and Whatsapp are no longer
used), and a Health Questionnaire web app. To save you time and hassle on arrival, you
should install all these apps before departure.
COCOA: Google Play / Apple App Store
OEL: Google Play / Apple App Store
MySOS
MHLW Questionnaire app (this is a website but it can be installed as a web app)
Note that there are restrictions and requirements on the set-up and usage of each of
the apps.
COCOA: Can be installed while out of Japan, but you need to be in Japan to
activate it.
OEL: An app that tells health authorities your location. There is nothing to set up
on this app, but after your arrival you’ll receive an email with login details so you
can hit the “I’m here!” button when requested.
MySOS: This is a video-calling application that the Health Monitoring Center for
Overseas Entrants will use to contact you. You need to give it permissions to use
camera and microphone.
Google Maps: You need to have the location tracking switched on.
MHLW Questionnaire app: Can only be filled out on the day of arrival. If you’re
lucky enough that your flight departs on the same day as arriving in Japan, you
can fill it out while waiting to board the plane.
If you don’t have an iPhone or Android smartphone, you’ll have to rent one for the two
week duration of your self-isolation. If you need a Japanese SIM, you can get one
delivered to you before departure wherever you are in the world through Mobal. There
are other options, but they won’t deliver outside Japan and they probably won’t have a
Japanese phone number attached.
Where can I get more information?
Aside from the consular services section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, and
the Ministry of Justice, one of the best resources is the Return to Japan Facebook
group. As mentioned, procedures and requirements are in a constant state of flux, so it

is very useful to hear the experiences of those who have recently returned.
You can’t use these shuttle buses—they’re for departing passengers only. | Photo by iStock.com/kuremo
This article was first published on August 21, 2020 and is regularly updated. Last update:
May 21, 2021.
WRITTEN BY:
Greg Lane
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Guide To Arriving in Japan During COVID-19

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6/15/2021 Guide to Arriving in Japan During COVID-19 | Tokyo Cheapo

EVENTS EATING TOURS STAY

Guide to Arriving in Japan During COVID-19

May 5th, 2021 | Greg Lane

Home / Getting around

Since COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions were imposed at the start

of April 2020, international arrivals into Japan have plunged. Foreign

residence in Japan were barred from re-entry until September, 2020.

While foreign tourists are not expected to be permitted to enter Japan

designated high risk countries subject to denial of landing—see below)

who want to return are permitted to do so.

Permission to return to Japan

Quarantine accommodation and transport

Arrival, testing and immigration procedures

Where can I get more information?

No, this is not Narita Airport after hours. | Photo by Friend of TC

Travel restrictions by country

China (including Hong Kong and Macau)

Canada (Ontario only)

United Arab Emirates

United States of America (States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut,

Do I need permission to re-enter Japan?

Quarantine and enforced/self-isolation requirements

Enforced quarantine for high-risk countries

There are technically no restrictions on self-isolating at a hotel, but, practically, many

An alternative to hotels are private accommodation operators and Airbnb, both of

Another consideration when arranging transport is that the testing, processing,

1. Limousine Bus to specific hotels

2. Skyliner trains from Narita Airport to Ueno Station

as you still will not be permitted to take public transport.

5. “Corona taxi” private driver service

Arrival, testing, and immigration procedures

Testing and procedures on arrival

Queue for testing at Narita Airport | Photo by Friend of TC

The waiting area for receiving test results. | Photo by Friend of TC

In an effort to reduce breaches of self-isolation and quarantine, as of January 14, 2021,

Apps you must have on your mobile

COCOA: Google Play / Apple App Store

OEL: Google Play / Apple App Store

Where can I get more information?

group. As mentioned, procedures and requirements are in a constant state of flux, so it

GREG'S TOKYO FAVORITES ARE:

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