(Update starting Nov 08)

✴️10-day quarantine requirements:

**※For those holding a vaccination certificate approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), and providing MHLW a negative COVID19 test on the 10th day can finish their quarantine on the 10th day instead of the full 14 days. **

1. Please see the pictures for a list of accepted vaccine certificates. (pic)
2. Please see the pictures for procedures on testing and notifying MHWL.

Keynotes:

• Public transport cannot be used for testing. If transport is needed please check with private transport operator Goal Int CoLtd.
• PCR tests (without travel certificate) reservations can be made at the Tokyo Cancer Clinic. For same-day results book for 8:30-10:30 am. Results email. https://tokyocancerclinic.jp/lang/en/reserve-pcr.
• PCR tests (without travel certificate) reservations can be made at

✴️3-day quarantine requirements:

• Have NOT have arrived from (or been in) countries/regions subject to 6 or 10 day hotel quarantine – in the past 14 days
• Hold a vaccination certificate confirmed by MHLW & MOFA (Pfizer, Moderna, AZ )
• Must be sponsor in Japan. Sponsoring organisation must submit a pledge and schedule in advance to the relevant ministry in charge of the business/activity type and have it examined before entry. There are a number of rules/activity limits to follow and monitoring.
• Negative COVID test at own expense after day 3
• Also includes returning citizens & residents holding a reentry permit, as well as short term business and employment visitors, and new long term entrants if the relevant ministry considers it necessary to shorten quarantine

For more information Contact New Measures for Strengthening Border Measures Call Center 03-3595-2176 (9:00am to 21:00pm Mon to Sun)

Changes to the High-Risk Regions list:

※Measure take place from Nov 08th 00:01am (Japan Time).

**{14 day-self-arranged quarantine must be followed for all arrivals into Japan.} **

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Tighten quarantine restrictions for travelers from the below countries are as follows: [Please see table in the photos on this post for an easy visual or the Quarantine Calendar: https://bit.ly/2T6t92l%5D

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★(3+11 day) “High-Risk Countries”

All the travelers who enter and return to Japan from:

• Argentina • Ukraine • Uzbekistan • United Kingdom • Ecuador • Kenya • Costa Rica • Colombia • Suriname • Dominican Republic • Turkey • Nepal • Haiti • Pakistan • Philippines • Brazil • Morocco • • Mongolia • Russia (Primorsky Krai, Moscow City)

must quarantine at a designated accommodation facility for 3 days. A test will be conducted 3 days later. If it is confirmed negative, the arrivals can move to their own arrange quarantine location for the remaining 14 days [11 days] (without using public transport).

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★(6+8 day) ‘High-Risk Countries’

All the travelers who enter and return to Japan from:

****• Peru • Trinidad and Tobago • Venezuela ****

must quarantine at a designated accommodation facility for 6 days. A test will be conducted 3rd and 6th day of quarantine. If it is confirmed negative, the traveler can move to their own arrange quarantine location for the remaining 14 days [8 days] (without using public transport). .

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★(10+4 day) ‘Catagory 3 High-Risk Countries’

All the travelers who enter and return to Japan from:

** (no regions)**

must quarantine at a designated accommodation facility for 10 days. A test will be conducted 3rd, 6th, and 10th day of quarantine. If it is confirmed negative, the traveler can move to their own arrange quarantine location for the remaining 14 days [4 days] (without using public transport).

**📆 *Quarantine Calendar 📆***

For a visual and to help calculate quarantine stays for each of the above please check the Quarantine Calendar here: https://bit.ly/2T6t92l

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Notes/Tips:

•Applies if you have stayed in any of these countries/regions for the last 14 days. (Transiting through an airport in these areas is OK, keep your boarding passes and other proof)

•The day of arrival is day ‘zero.’ [Calander: https://bit.ly/2T6t92l%5D

•The hotel is decided by immigration on arrival. (You do NOT book the hotel in advance, and won’t know which hotel until arrival)

• You are returned to the airport you arrived at. The schedule varies depending on the hotel and will be advised on check-in. It may vary more depending on how many people they are testing and processing, as well as the distance from the airport and traffic.

• On return to the airport you go straight to your private transfer. There are no other administrative things to do.

•Currently the Japanese government covers the designated quarantine cost. ★If you are not on the National Health Insurance system you may be asked to pay. Please note: if you are new to Japan and not on the National Health Insurance in the unfortunate need any medical assistance you will be required to pay the full cost, it is recommended to have travel insurance that covers you until the end of your 14-day quarantine and until you can visit your local town hall to register. One option is Nomad Travel Insurance which covers medical and COVID-19 https://bit.ly/39gIWR2

•Positive cases you will remain in quarantine and depending on symptoms be moved to a hospital.

•Visits to airport facilities such as phone shops, ATMs, lockers etc… are not allowed. You are escorted to the shuttle bus.

• Meeting family, friends, and coworkers to exchange items is not allowed. (this is also the case when returning to the airport after the 3 day quarantine period.)

•Hotel rules vary slightly between them.

•You are NOT allowed to leave, and no deliveries are allowed. (Some hotels may accept a request if they have a combini located on-site, some provide cup noodles, some provide baby food – but it is best to assume they don’t)

•You are NOT allowed to move between rooms.

•Bentos (cold) are provided three times a day. If you have dietary requirements please come prepared. Not all hotels provide food options for vegetarians or allergies, and/or options provided may not be what you expect.

•FYI Cold Bentos are common/normal in Japan.

•Hotel rooms do NOT have microwaves and no cutlery.

•Rooms have- a kettle, a fridge, and 2 mugsTV (Japanese channels only), desk, chair, hairdryer, phone, & wifi.

•Depending on hotel-wide usage Wifi may slow at certain times of the day.

• Bring a Japanese two-pin plug adapter for electronics such as laptops. (due to demand hotels may not have any available)

•No daily cleaning service but fresh towels/sheets can be requested by calling the front desk.

•Highly Highly recommend bringing food which you can (1) eat uncooked (such as biscuits/crisps/crackers) or (2) can cook with a kettle (such as instant ramen). and instant coffee/tea (only green tea provided). Milk powder, cereal (&spoon).

•Customs are also strict food products, please double-check what you are bringing – especially meats, fruits, and vegetables. https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/index.html

•How to exercise in quarantine: https://www.facebook.com/wakahisa/posts/10159477970238134

•Travelling with infants/children/families please see the links further down this post.

★★Please note this situation is rapidly evolving and more countries/regions are likely to be subject to this condition of entry as they report the presence of the new COVID strains.★★

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Once the designated quarantine is complete you will be transported back to the airport where you need to have to arrange private transport to your quarantine location for the remaining days. The hotels will provide transport times back to the airport on check-in. **✪ Goal Int CoLtd **a fully licensed private transfer company and supporter of this group, have low-cost fares. http://www.pickupairport.online and can be booked in English. They provide transfers from Haneda and Narita. Transfers can be pre-booked and pick up times arranged while in quarantine after you have been advised of the schedule.

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First-hand experiences:

**Transport (hack): **https://www.facebook.com/groups/returntojapan/permalink/1102461366918383/

**What to bring: **https://www.facebook.com/groups/returntojapan/permalink/1102583216906198/

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****Travelling and quarantining with infants/children/families: ****

https://www.facebook.com/groups/returntojapan/posts/1214064355758083

(Please also check the comments for more experiences.)

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Working out in quarantine with Juliano: (Well worth the watch)

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■ The Group Summary ■

For full information on the arrival process, pre-flight COVID Testing, quarantine information, and more please check the Group Summary in the Announcements https://www.facebook.com/groups/returntojapan/posts/1218738931957292

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**✪ MetroResidences **Serviced Apartments have Ride & Stay quarantine packages please check the website: https://www.metroresidences.com/jp-en/expat-life/japan/guide-for-quarantine-accommodation-in-japan/ [Transfers from Haneda or Narita included.]

Cheaper than the hotels around the airport, bigger rooms and have a kitchen, proper fridge/freezer, washing machine, workspace with desk and Wifi. Email: booking.jp@metroresidences.com

Free cancellation – please see details: https://www.facebook.com/groups/returntojapan/permalink/1098747740623079

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**✪ Goal Int CoLtd **a fully licensed private transfer company and supporter of this group, have low-cost fares. http://www.pickupairport.online and can be booked in English. They provide transfers from Haneda, Narita, and Ueno.

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**✪ Nomad Travel Insurance **is a typical travel insurance that cover travel disruption, medical AND covers COVID and unexpected quarantine. It can also be bought for one way travel and outside of ones home country. https://bit.ly/39gIWR2

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Travel Insurance options for US citizens:

**✪ *IMG Patriot*** – https://bit.ly/3cbdGEr

**✪ *IMG Patriot Platinum*** – https://bit.ly/3yVnJak.

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✪ Mobal provides Japanese SIM cards (Voice & Data) with Worldwide Shipping so you can be set up and ready to go when you hit Japan. [Please allow enough time for international shipping time] https://bit.ly/3gsFbfn

✓Worldwide Shipping

✓English language customer support

✓No contracts

✓Profits go to charity

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**♬••The day of arrival is day ‘zero.'[Quarantine calendar: **https://bit.ly/2T6t92l]

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Coto Language Academy, a Japanese Language School in Tokyo. Specializing in small classes, flexible course schedules, and fun conversation-based learning. Make use of your quarantine time and join an online class. https://cotoacademy.com

**More details can be found at the MOFA website: **https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html#no3

Border Management for COVID Strains of Concern.

(September 9, 2021)

In anticipation of the possibility of new mutant strains in the future, the new coronavirus is classified into “mutant strains to be targeted” and other new coronaviruses including conventional strains.

Countries and regions are assessed according to the presence of new mutant strains, epidemic situation, in-flow of travellers to Japan. Border measures are based on risk assessment such as the situation, vaccine effectiveness, etc., in each of these regions

The current strains of concern and epidemic prevention measures used are:

・ B.1.351 strain mutant (beta strain

・ P.1 strain (gamma strain))

・ B.1.617.2 mutant strain (Delta strain)

・ B.1.525 mutant strain (Eta strain)

・ B.1.526 mutant strain (Iota strain)

・ B.1.617.1 strain (Kappa strain)

・ C.37 mutant strain (Lambda strain)

・ B.1.621 mutant strain (Mu strain)