Anybody take a PCR before entering Japan?

Wondering if the over the counter PCR tests from Walgreens or CVS are okay

13 comments
  1. Why do you need one? Are you not vaccinated?

    Here’s official requirements list. I do believe you need one from an actual medical institution and not just a self-test thing.

    https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/border_test.html

    If you are triple vaccinated all you need is the vax proof (as paperwork or as electronic certificate) and entry in the VJW web app.

  2. The over the counter tests are antigen tests not PCR. You need to send a sample to a lab for a PCR test, and get the doctor to fill a specific for for Japanese immigration.
    If you are at least triple vaccinated you don’t need the PCR

  3. If you have three vaccines, you can upload proof and you don’t need a PCR. If you only have two from Japan, you could get the third in the US while there.

    You can get a PCR test from Walgreens, but it’s the kind you have to schedule. They’ll do the test and send it to a lab, then email the results to you (I believe within 24 hours), which you can then upload as proof.

    Some Walgreens offer it for free, some only offer for free if you’ve been in close contact or have symptoms of your own. Depends on the state.

  4. Wallgreens has the PCR covid tests that they send to a lab that’s the one I did. Takes about 48 hrs. I think you can do the same day test with them but you have to double check

  5. If you choose the Walgreens route, be careful. I did it and it was not sufficient for entry requirements. I had to get an emergency one at the airport

  6. Yea when I flew from america to japan back in june i went to walgreens and got a test and they accepted it

    edit: to correct mysef, i did the drive thru pcr test and they sent it to the lab. not sure what you mean by over the counter. if its one that you just take at home then thats probably not good enough.

  7. I only had two vaccinations and had to do a PCR. They take PRC tests from establishments that will also grant an vaccination certificate. It’s best to follow the guidance on the Japanese governments website.

  8. Maybe just get an over the counter rat test instead? I always take one before I fly because I want to know if I’m about to be responsible for infecting a whole flight 😅

  9. A lot of you seem to forget it’s the individuals personal choice on wether or not they want to get vaccinated or get additional vaccinations. The vaccine was rushed through testing and we are still learning a lot about its side affects in the short and long term.

    I have only been vaccinated twice and had to in order to continue working where I do, and have no plans on getting the third since I’ve never gotten the virus and take a variety of other measures to prevent doing so. I’m also a 30 year old in good health and live in a small town out in the countryside. Not everyone is the same I know, so with that in mind I don’t judge people for getting additional shots or for not getting any at all.

    When I came home from the US around Christmas I got a test done at a testing center where I paid more for a quick turnaround and they were well versed in making documents for countries like Japan. (They are called Same Day Health) I’d ask your local CVS if they are familiar with the documents needed for international travel so you do t have any issues.

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