Welcome to Japan

Good news everyone!

From October 11, 2022, Japan has fully opened its borders to all visitors.

Based on new border measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it is no longer necessary to self-quarantine at home, hotels, etc., and refrain from using public transportation.

 

Even better, COVID-19 testing on arrival is no longer required unless both entering and returning travelers are suspected of having COVID-19.

 

However, all returnees and visitors will be required to provide either a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate (3 doses) or a certificate of negative result prior to departure.

COVID-19 test must be taken within 72 hours prior to departing from the country/region of origin.

 

 

So overview, you need a valid vaccination certificate that you can obtain at your local City Hall office. It takes about 5 days for the letter to arrive at your residence, You can also obtain the paper online on the App by scanning the QR code.

 

Even if you hold a vaccination certificate, you are still required to fill in a questionnaire on this Visit Japan Web link https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/ .

After you fill in the questionnaire, you will get a QR code to show the customs officers.

 

The best way is to do Fast Track https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/en/

Fast Track is a way to handle quarantine procedures on Visit Japan Web. You can register documentation and more before entering Japan, by tapping the 'Quarantine procedures (Fast Track)' button on Visit Japan Web.

 

One of the tricky parts is if you have accompanying children with you.

If the child is over 6 years - under 18 years old, with a vaccination certificate (3+ shots), they don't have to show a Negative PCR Certificate.

 

But if the child has no vaccination certificate (3+ shots), but the accompanying parent has a vaccination certificate, they don't have to show a Negative PCR Certificate.

However, if the child has no vaccination certificate (3+ shots), and the accompanying parent also has no vaccination certificate, the child has to show a Negative PCR Certificate.

 

I had my kids take a PCR test, which later on I found out that they didn't need because they fall into the category of accompanying parent has a vaccination certificate. I also didn't check Visit Japan Web, which I should have.

But the staffs and officers at the airport were very helpful.

There were many tourists from abroad, and it took almost 2 hours since the plane landed till I have finally done with everything like Covid procedures, baggage claim, and customs clearance.