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Japan is gradually opening its border to international tourists. Starting Sept 7, 2022, those with tripled vaccination are not required to submit pre-departure PCR test.
Vaccines recognized by Japan’s government according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs :
- Pfizer
- Moderna
- AstraZeneca
- Janssen
- Bharats Biotech
- Novavax
*Booster dose using Bharats Biotech doesn’t valid.
Meanwhile, those without tripled vaccination still be required to submit PCR test result within 72 hours before departure.
Returnees and entries are highly recommended to fill-in pledge and questionnaire on mySOS app (described in detail below) to shorten the time in completing entry procedures.
While re-entry for residents and the purpose of family visits (invited by family) have been relaxed since a few months ago. On top of that, those who want to enter Japan are required to apply for a visa at local Japan’s embassy.
See Also
Japan, Most Attractive Travel Destination of TTDI 2021
Why Does Japan Relax Its Border That Slowly?
MySOS App, an important app to enter Japan
This is the application you have to download and fill in before arriving in Japan. You have to complete all the items needed on the application 6 hours before your arrival at the latest.
On the application, make an account by entering your personal information (name, passport number, etc) and completing documents as follows:
- Answer a questionnaire
- Filling in a pledge
- Enter vaccine information and upload vaccine passport/vaccine certificate
- If you are not tripled vaccination, submit your PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure.
If your documents meet the requirement, you will have your mySOS screen turns blue in a few hours.
Arriving at The Airport
In our experience arriving at Narita International Airport, the first thing we were guided to is to prepare and show the MySOS QR code and mySOS blue screen. For those with a yellow or a red screen, the staff will guide you for checking, while those with a blue screen can use the fast track and move forward to the document screening.
In the document screening section, you will need to show your passport and MySOS QR code. You’ll be given a blue, yellow, or red card depending on from country you were departing. This time we got a blue card because we came from group blue countries.
See Also
Japanese border measures (the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare)
Countries in Blue, Yellow, and Red Group
The screening section was very smooth because everything you need is recorded already from the QR code so there is not much work. We remember being there less than a minute.
From the screening section to the immigration section took us a long way. But there is only one way so you will not get lost. Once we arrived at the immigration section, we were allowed to take the priority line because we were with a child.
Next is baggage claim. We got our baggage, showed passports, and gave a custom form (only need one form per family), and we could enter the country safely!
It took us a total of about 20-30 minutes from getting off the plane to leaving the airport.
Narita International Airport
International Tourists Coming to Japan
The government announced that the daily entry cap will be removed soon and planning to allow independent tourists to come to Japan without visas if they have been tripled vaccination or submit a pre-departure test result, predicted to be put into action by October.
See Also
Complete Guide For Women To Solo Traveling In Japan
