Last Updated on November 8, 2021 by Star
I was greeted by a largely empty airport and aircraft when I left Japan in Summer. It was totally different from what I was used to, and my Japan Re entry experience was just as unusual.
I was still under the 14-Day quarantine rules when I returned, but as of the October, the rules have changed a bit. You can find the latest information as of Oct 1 here.
The situation is fluid and continuously changing, so please always check the MOFA website for the most updated information.
Getting everything in order for the trip back to Japan
There were 6 main parts to this.
- A negative PCR test (you can get the doctor to fill out the next document with this)
- Certificate of Testing for COVID-19 aka the MOFA form
- Written pledge
- The downloading of 3 Phone apps (MySOS, COCOA, Google Maps)
- Web Questionnaire and QR Code
- Arranging for transport from the airport back home (my place of quarantine)
Some helpful information
For the PCR test, they are very specific about what is acceptable. I arrived back in Japan in late summer, and the acceptable methods were Nasopharyngeal Swab, Saliva and Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs.
The MOFA form is what the airport check-in staff wanted to see, and when I landed at Haneda airport, that is also the only test report they needed. They did not even bother asking me for the actual test results or digital verification (which I had also prepared just in case).
The Written pledge is a document that affirms that you understand and consent to the points within.
The 5 points of the pledge are:
- Stay at the quarantine location for 14 days (this has been changed as of Oct 1)
- Report your health condition for 14 days after entering Japan (this has also been changed as of Oct 1)
- Use the dedicated phone apps to send location information and respond to video calls
- Follow instructions received from the public health authorities
- Wear masks, wash your hands and avoid the ‘3Cs’ – closed spaces, crowded spaces and close-contact settings
For the 3 Phone apps, the Google maps one is probably the easiest to download. Some people have trouble downloading the MySOS and COCOA ones from outside Japan. I had heard of these issues before I departed from Japan, so already had them in my phone.
For the Web Questionnaire and QR code, you can just take a screenshot and use that when you arrive; That’s what I did. The staff will instruct you on how to scan it if you have the QR code screenshot.
The Departure airport and Flight
Japan’s borders are still pretty much closed to everyone except those that have a legal right to be here. Citizens, legal foreign residents, SOFA, diplomats etc. No tourists or short term visitors in general.
So while getting everything in order, which also meant checking to make sure that I had the latest version of the documents, took some concentration (with a good dose of stress and paranoia). I knew that the plane loads would be quite light. So for this reason I arrived to check in for my International flight about 2 hours before the departure time.
There turned out to be less than 10 passengers on my flight.
Paperwork received in the plane
Because there were so few passengers, the cabin crew were able to get the papers ready before the passengers started boarding. They were in a stack on the seat beside me.
Helpful information
The cabin crew do not know anything about what documents are necessary or acceptable so it’s probably a good idea to take what they say with a pinch of salt.
Health card
They were not able to tell me what a ‘Health Card’ was even though they made announcements about it a few times. In the end, I found out that the Health ‘card’ was the ‘Questionnaire based on the Provision of Article 12 of the Quarantine Act’ A4 sheet of paper in the photo above.
I have to be honest, I was half exasperated and half amused that someone would call it a Health ‘card‘.
Disembarkation card aka Arrival card
It was going to be a Japan re entry for me, so I had already the other half of the card in my passport. But this being a pandemic, and not having flown internationally for a while, I thought I should ask in case it was a new thing. Maybe it applied to me?
I asked the cabin crew if it was necessary, and she said ‘yes’. I explained that I lived in Japan and did not usually need to fill it out as I had a different one. “All foreigners must fill it out” was her response.
“Oh well, maybe it’s a new pandemic rule” I thought. I was still skeptical, but filled it out as I did not want to have to deal with scrambling on the spot if the Immigration officer really asked me for it.
Deplaning and the walk through the different stations
Deplaning
Everyone deplaned from the front of the aircraft and this was done section by section.
The curtains in between the sections were closed until it was our turn to get off.
This means that sitting nearer the front of the plane will allow you to get off quicker – and get out of the airport quicker!
Going through the Steps
They are actually called Steps, but I will refer to them as Stations here for ease of understanding.
I can’t remember how many there were altogether, but I think it was about 6.
I wanted to take photos, but there were signs all over the place stating that photos and videos were prohibited.
Paperwork and QR code
At the earlier stations, they checked our paperwork, and added papers to the stack which they stapled together.
Then, they asked if we had the QR code and if it was in paper form or a screenshot. We were instructed to either go left or right based on our answers.
Mine was a screenshot so I just needed to scan it on a device.
On arrival PCR test
Then, we got to a station where they handed us a plastic tube and funnel. This was for the Saliva PCR test. In the next area, they instructed us to fill up the tube to the where the line was.
Umm.. how do I describe the ‘spitting booths’…they made me think of ‘urinal booths’. Let me explain. They had created partitions that were not see-through, which stood between the people taking the test, and there was a waste paper basket on the floor. We all had to face the plastic ‘wall’ and fill up the tube with enough saliva.
There were photos of what was not acceptable on the ‘wall’ in front of us. Basically things like:
- The necessary amount of Saliva
- No food particles allowed in the sample
- No bloody sample
- The sample must not have a lot of foam
Between stations
I had heard that there was a lot of walking between each station, but wow, even knowing that did not prepare me for the amount of walking I did!
I would highly advise not having much hand carry luggage, or at least having ones with wheels if you can’t help it.
And definitely go to the bathroom before you disembark!
Long walkways and travelators Blocked off areas and bathrooms No drinking
I would highly advise not having much hand carry luggage, or at least having ones with wheels if you can’t help it.
Phone app station
Here they checked everyone’s phones and apps and assisted with the settings. We were then told to go to the desks nearby, and the staff there explained the kind of notifications we would get and what we needed to do.
We were also given an A4 booklet titled ‘To Anyone Entering/Returning to Japan‘ Regulations on Mandatory 14-Day Isolation.
As of Oct 1, the rules have changed slightly to allow for fully vaccinated individuals to cut down their self quarantine period to 10 days, so the link above may change.
Email address
We were also asked for an email address where we could be contacted and a test email was sent.
The last station
This is where we had to wait for the results of the PCR test.
They attached a sticker to the back of the Request to Everyone Entering Japan sheet (paperwork received in the plane). That sticker had a number and we were told to watch for our number on the board.
This part of the process took the longest.
Once I saw my number, I walked over to the counter to present my sheet to them, and they then added an additional sticker with a (-) on it. This meant that the result of the PCR test was negative.
Immigration Counter
There are 2 versions of this paper – a pink one and a light blue one. Just present it to the Immigration Officer.
Oh, and remember the Disembarkation Card that I was repeatedly told by the cabin crew that I needed to fill out? I checked with the Immigration officer and they said that it was not necessary as I was a reentrant, not a foreign tourist traveling to Japan.
All in all, it took me 1.5 hours to get through all the stations and clear immigration.
Getting Home
Since we have to pledge that we will not take any form of public transport during the 14 day period, I had arranged for a Hired car to pick me up.
Of course, you can also drive yourself back, or a family member can drive you home.
Japan Quarantine – Self Isolation
I am not sure if the frequency for everyone is the same or not, but I have found that the “I’m Here” report frequency for me was about twice a day, and the “ai Video Call” happened about once a day.
MySOS app – Main screen
No Last date of Quarantine Previous version As of Oct 2
The Check-in button only needs to be tapped once you get to your quarantine location.
Report Your Health Condition
We also need to report our health condition once a day via the app, and that request is in the form of 2 questions; this happens between 11:00 and 14:00 every day without fail.
I’m here button
MySOS ai Vid Call
End of Quarantine
The end of the quarantine period was at 00:00 on the 15th day for me.
It was a very quiet event. No call or text message. The Last Quarantine date on the MySOS app main screen did not even change.
It changes the next day, sometime between 08:00 and 12:00.
Thank you for your cooperation New main screen
This was my personal experience on Japan re entry and as there are many different rules and measures based on where you are flying from, your travel history, whether you are vaccinated or not etc, I would highly advise you to check the official sites for the latest information.
But I hope that this at least gives you an idea of what a Japan re entry experience can be like in this Covid-19 pandemic.
IMPORTANT!!
If you find yourself in need to medical assistance during your quarantine period, this is where you can find the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare phone numbers.
Updated Border Information
Oct 29, 2021 – Those with a valid vaccination certificate that is recognized in Japan can get their quarantine period shortened.
Nov 8, 2021, the Border Measures to Enter Japan have been updated and now allows organizations that are willing to take responsibility for the employee to request for a 3 day quarantine period. The application can be made here.
If you have any more updated information, do share them.
Stay safe!
Star
Related posts:
What taking a quick PCR test in Tokyo is like
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