Japan's Quarantine Rules For Vaccinated Travelers Explained

do you have to quarantine in japan if vaccinated

Quarantine requirements for vaccinated individuals vary from country to country and are subject to change. As of November 2021, Japan allowed fully vaccinated individuals to shorten their self-quarantine period to 10 days, and those with a valid vaccination certificate recognized by the Japanese government could further reduce their quarantine period. Additionally, certain organizations could request a 3-day quarantine for their employees. As of 2022, there were no COVID-19 testing, proof of vaccination, or quarantine requirements to enter Japan. However, it is always recommended to review official websites for the latest information and guidelines.

Characteristics Values
Quarantine period 14 days of self-quarantine at home or a secure accommodation
Quarantine reduction If you have been fully vaccinated and boosted with certain vaccinations, you can reduce the quarantine period to 3 days.
Quarantine exemption If you have received three or more doses of a vaccine on the World Health Organization's emergency use list, you are exempt from the 3-day quarantine at accommodations secured by the quarantine office.
COVID test Saliva test
Contact confirmation app MySOS
Health status reporting Twice a day
Use of public transportation Forbidden for 14 days

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A vaccination certificate may shorten quarantine

As of October 1, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals travelling to Japan can reduce their self-quarantine period from 14 days to 10 days. However, the validity of the vaccination certificate is determined by the quarantine officer at the time of entry and cannot be determined in advance. The certificate must meet the conditions specified by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

If you have been fully vaccinated and boosted with certain vaccinations, you may be able to further shorten your quarantine period to 3 days. You will need to take another test on the third day of your quarantine and upload the result via the MySOS app. Once you receive a negative test certificate, you can upload it to the MySOS app under Settings > Application for Special Circumstances.

Vaccine passports are available in Japan and are issued by your local ward office. The vaccine passport is based on a similar certification system as the European Union Digital COVID Certificate. The purpose of the vaccine passport is to provide documentation of when and which vaccine you have received. This allows the holder to avoid some of the coronavirus entry requirements. However, it is important to note that there is currently no universal certification system, as the types of vaccines approved vary from country to country.

If you are planning to travel overseas from Japan, you can take advantage of relaxed COVID prevention measures by the partner country. Each municipality issues the vaccination passport, and the application can be made in person or by mail. The certificate includes information in both Japanese and English and must include the same passport information that will be used when travelling.

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No quarantine if fully vaccinated and boosted

As of 11 October 2022, if you have received three or more doses of a vaccine on the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use list, you are exempt from the pre-departure COVID-19 test and do not need to quarantine upon arrival in Japan.

The list of approved vaccines includes:

  • AstraZeneca (including Covishield)
  • Pfizer
  • Moderna
  • Janssen (one dose is considered equivalent to two doses)
  • Bharat Biotech
  • Novavax
  • Sinovac
  • Sinopharm
  • CanSino

The validity of vaccination certificates is determined by the quarantine officer at the time of entry and cannot be determined in advance by the embassy. It is important to note that even if you meet all the conditions, the quarantine officer may still determine that you do not meet them. In case of uncertainty, you can contact the MoLHW Border Measures Hotline (Japan: 012-248-668, International: +81-50-1751-2158, free toll).

Upon arrival in Japan, you will be required to submit a written pledge to:

  • Refrain from using public transportation for 14 days
  • Stay at home
  • Save and present your location information
  • Install a contact confirmation application

Additionally, you will need to fill out a medical questionnaire and download a government-specified application to confirm your location and contact information. If you do not have a smartphone, you can rent one at the airport.

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MySOS app for health reporting

When entering Japan, vaccinated travellers must submit a written pledge that they will not use public transportation for 14 days, stay at home, save and present their location information, and install a contact confirmation application. The MySOS app is one such application that travellers are prompted to install. The app is used for health reporting during the quarantine period when entering Japan.

The MySOS app is used for health reporting during the quarantine period when entering Japan. Upon arrival, travellers are required to install the app and set up their phone settings to receive notifications during quarantine. Travellers need to enable Bluetooth on their devices.

Once installed, travellers will receive notifications and requests to report their health condition. This typically happens between 11:00 and 14:00 every day, where travellers are required to answer two questions about their health. In addition, travellers can use the app to upload their test results. For example, after three days of quarantine, travellers can take another test and upload the results via the MySOS app under Settings > Application for Special Circumstances. If the result is negative, travellers may be able to shorten their quarantine period.

The MySOS app is a useful tool for travellers entering Japan as it allows them to report their health status and stay connected with the relevant authorities during their quarantine period. It is important to note that the app requires Bluetooth to be enabled and may require specific phone settings to function properly.

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PCR test and paperwork

As of April 2023, submission of documents for quarantine procedures is no longer necessary for travellers to Japan. However, travellers are still required to fill in forms related to immigration and customs, as well as provide a vaccine certificate.

Upon reopening its borders after the Covid crisis in October 2022, the Japanese government introduced a new website and smartphone app called Visit Japan Web to streamline the entry procedure. The app generates a unified QR code for immigration clearance and customs declaration, which must be scanned at checkpoints.

Previously, travellers were required to submit a negative PCR test result and a vaccination certificate. The PCR test methods accepted included nasopharyngeal swab, saliva, and nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs. The saliva test involved spitting into a test tube up to a marked line, which was then sealed and numbered. Travellers were advised to remember this number for the test result.

In addition to the PCR test, travellers were also required to fill out a health questionnaire and provide a government-issued vaccination certificate. This certificate could be shown on a mobile device and helped to shorten the quarantine period. As of October 2021, fully vaccinated individuals could reduce their quarantine period to 3 or 10 days.

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No public transport during quarantine

As of March 1, 2022, Japan has eased its border controls, allowing travellers to use public transport to get from the airport to their quarantine location, provided that the travel time is within 24 hours of the on-arrival PCR test. This revision is a welcome change, as previously, travellers had to resort to costly private car hires to get to their quarantine accommodations.

Before this revision, travellers were required to pledge that they would not take any form of public transport during their 14-day quarantine period. This included public trains, buses, and even taxis. Those who did not have a private vehicle would often have to arrange for a hired car to pick them up from the airport. For those who could not afford this option, their only choice was to drive themselves or have a family member drive them home.

It is important to note that while the use of public transport to reach quarantine locations is now permitted, travellers are still required to go straight to their quarantine accommodation without stopping anywhere along the way. Additionally, transferring from an international flight to a domestic flight is prohibited until the 14-day quarantine period is completed.

For those who are fully vaccinated and boosted, Japan offers the option to shorten the quarantine period to 3 days. To do this, travellers must take another test on the third day of quarantine and upload the negative result via the MySOS app.

Frequently asked questions

If you have been fully vaccinated and boosted, you may not need to quarantine at all. However, if your country is considered high risk by the Japanese government, you may be subject to a shortened quarantine period of 3 days in a government-designated facility, followed by 11 days of self-quarantine.

You will need to present a valid vaccination certificate that is recognised in Japan. The validity of the vaccination certificate will be determined by the quarantine officer at the time of entry.

For those who are not fully vaccinated, the quarantine period is 14 days of self-quarantine at home or in a secure accommodation.

Yes, you will also need to submit a written pledge that you will not use public transportation for 14 days, install a contact confirmation application, and fill out a medical questionnaire.

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