I know similar questions ahve been asked before, but given how Japan has been so slow to ‘advance’ with covid rules, I want to know if finally you are able to buy a quick antigen test at a pharmacy or something similar and take the covid test at home on your own?
I’ve looked up online but everything seems overly complicated and it’s all information from months ago.
I’ve been feeling under the weather lately and a couple of my friends have just tested positive for covid, but this feels way different to how I felt when I’ve had covid before so I’m convinced it’s just a cold, but of course I would like to confirm it.
So, can I buy a rapid antigen test somewhere in Tokyo and do it at my house? Any recommendations?
Thank you!
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I believe you can. The government has been giving them for free too. I got about 10 sets mailed to my apartment over the last several months
Any drug store.
If you are a close contact, you can use [this site](https://tokyo-testkit.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/onset/index.html) to apply for a free kit. Or you can buy them online from Rakuten or something. Just search for 抗原検査キット (こうげんけんさキット).
FYI, MHLW has [a list of approved OTC test kits.](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_27779.html)
You can order them from the government here for next day delivery if you have symptoms.
https://tokyo-testkit.metro.tokyo.lg.jp
Alternatively, the reason test kits aren’t as common is because it’s relatively easy and very cheap/free to get a PCR test. Your city hall will have a list of clinics that accept fever patients. The biggest reason to do this is that PCR tests are much more reliable than rapids. (Rapids are like ~60% accurate when done correctly)
I also hope it doesn’t need saying, but even if it’s “just a cold” mask up and stay in as much as possible.
Amazon has them for sale as well.[here](https://www.amazon.co.jp/s?k=covid+test&crid=3EZTJT44TJMFP&sprefix=covid+tes%2Caps%2C265&ref=nb_sb_noss_2)
They have one that has both the antibody and antigen double test that seems to work OK.
My local pharmacies were always hit/miss on having stock, not to mention the weird reaction from staff.
Amazon has a lot.
Bought a bunch at Welcia a few months back.
I was expecting a bunch of questions, forms and instructions. Nope nothing. They asked if I had used them before (yes) , and then asked how many I wanted.
Apparently in the past there were all kinds of restrictions. That wasn’t the case at my local Welcia anymore at least.