My experience re-entering Japan with a negative COVID-19 test result

Having recently returned (from the UK) to Japan without being triple vaccinated (and therefore needing to provide proof of a negative test result), I’m making this post to explain how the process worked as a useful resource for others (*also because there are no other posts at least on this subreddit unless I’m using the wrong search terms*).

**What the rules are currently**

[MHLW Official page about COVID-19 tests for entering Japan](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/border_test.html)

You can see the details via the link above but in a nutshell, you need to have a negative COVID-19 test certificate which is:

1. using one of the accepted test methods
2. based on an accepted sample/specimen type
3. based on a sample/specimen taken within 72 hours of your scheduled departure time

**Where I got my COVID-19 test with a certificate**

There are various providers of COVID-19 tests in the UK but from what I researched, you are best looking for a “Fit to Fly PCR test”.

I went with a private firm called DAM Health, which has branches in various parts of the UK. The **price was £49 (inc. tax)** for a PCR test with a 24-hour turnaround, but this is a private service (not on the NHS) so prices will vary depending on which company you go with.

As an aside, my parents had some leftover antigen test kits (the NHS were apparently giving them out for free at some point during the height of the pandemic), and I did one on the morning of the day I went to get my “proper” test, which came back negative so I was pretty relaxed going to the test centre.

**The COVID-19 test centre & test itself**

Essentially, it was just a converted office in a row of terraced houses (which had various businesses inside). I went inside, filled in the form provided (which included my passport number and other info – you need your passport number and it needs to match otherwise it probably won’t be accepted).

The test centre I went to was literally empty, presumably because there is not much demand for these “official” negative test results anymore given that very few countries (just Japan and maybe (?) a few others) are requiring it for entry.

For reference, I was flying out on a morning so I arranged to get my test done 3 days in advance but in the afternoon so that it would be just within the required 72 hour window. My logic was that ***if*** I happened to get infected *after* the test result, I would at least have a negative result to get back to Japan first (*not very considerate of others around me but hey if I can avoid being stuck in the UK and having to fund a week or more of hotel stays, I will*).

The test I took was an RT-PCR test. I wasn’t sure whether the “RT” prefix was the right one but looking around ([including on JAL’s webpage about COVID tests for entry into Japan](https://www.jal.co.jp/ar/en/info/travelalerts/flysafe/protection-measures/pcrtest/)) it seemed right. I checked with the staff at the test center and they confirmed it was correct and should be accepted. The test itself was just a swab of the back of the mouth and then a swab of both nostrils, it was all over in about 30 seconds.

**Getting my result back**

I paid for a result within 24 hours, but I actually received it the same day just before midnight. Presumably they didn’t have many/any other samples to process but of course you should not assume the same treatment, it’s always good to leave enough time.

The test result came via email in PDF format. There was a test result in DAM Health’s own format and then another version filled out using MHLW’s own official format (check the MHLW link at the top of this post), which I honestly did not expect (I should’ve asked but all turned out good).

**Presenting my result at the airport**

Upon arriving at the airport to get my flight back to Japan, the airline asked to see my travel docs along with my test result certificate (after confirming I was not fully vaccinated).

I initially showed them DAM Health’s own format certificate, which the ground staff said was invalid because it didn’t have the correct wording for the specimen type, but then I showed them the MHLW format version, which they said was fine.

After that I got on my flight as usual. The next time I was asked to present my test result certificate was when I arrived in Japan.

**Presenting my result in Japan after arriving**

After arriving in Japan, before getting to immigration, people were stopped and asking to show their “**Fast Track Japan QR code**”.

[https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/en/](https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/en/)

You can read more at the link above but it’s basically a way to pre-register your proof of vaccination or negative test result in advance of your flight to make the re-entry (and checking process) easier.

I actually didn’t do this because (foolishly) I left it too late and the last two days of my stay I didn’t have wifi (stayed in a crap hotel, nevermind) and had already used up the credit on my pay-as-you-go UK sim card. Accordingly, I don’t have first hand experience of the app, but it looks like you pre-register your info at least 6 hours before your departure time and someone (or maybe AI) will check it and validate it. Then (presumably) you show it and you can through to immigration directly.

Luckily, as long as you have a valid test result certificate (as described above and at the main MHLW link), you can still re-enter Japan. You just have to spend about 5-10 minutes going through the checking process.

**Completing the pre-immigration test result certificate check**

First I had to fill in a questionnaire/form via a QR code (which seems to be the same website above minus a section to upload your vaccination proof/test result). There is free wifi (the network names were literally taped to the floor, and the airport provides chairs to sit down, which was nice).

I think the purpose of this was to convert my input data into a QR code, which the staff scanned at the next “desk”, along with checking passport and residence card.

After that, a member of staff checked my test result and then asked to see my boarding pass (for the initial part of my flight) to make sure it was within 72 hours as required.

Finally, I was waved through toward immigration, but first there were people asking “how are you today, do you have a fever or a cough?”. I was fine (a bit jetlagged but just say “fine” if you’re fine to avoid unnecessary complication).

**All done**

After that, it was on to the immigration desk (fast lane for people with a re-entry permit, the line for foreign visitors was massive so that was a lifesaver) as usual.

**”Pro tips” in hindsight based on my experience**

1. If possible, **make sure whoever does your test uses the official MHLW test format**. That’s the best way to ensure you don’t end up paying for a test result that is invalid due to a technicality. The ground staff before departure were very particular about my certificate having the exact correct wording for everything.
2. **Pre-register your test result via the Fast Track Japan website** (linked above) because it will save you a good 5-10 minutes (or more depending on how busy arrivals are at the time).
3. **Make sure your smartphone has sufficient battery left** to show the appropriate PDF/screen(s) when you check in initially and again when you arrive. Charge it on the plane, or in the airport, or take a mobile battery, whatever you want.
4. **Physically print off a screenshot of the Fast Track Japan confirmation page** (if you do it) **AND your test result certificate** just in case your smartphone dies for any reason. You don’t want to be stuck without a test result if your phone happens to break/die on you for no apparent reason. It happens to the best of us so better safe than sorry.
5. **Hold onto your initial boarding pass**. As I mentioned, and based on my own experience, going the non-Fast Track route means quarantine staff will likely want to check your initial boarding to pass to confirm that your test result meets the “within 72 hours” requirement.
6. **Get triple vaccinated if you can/plan on doing so.** I’m only double vaccinated and I wish I had got my third jab now, especially while it’s still free. Would’ve saved me £49 and would have meant I didn’t have to block out any of my time on holiday to get said test result.

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I believe that covers everything. COVID-19 is being downgraded in May so these rules could all changes fairly soon, but in the meantime I think this is a good representation of what to expect.

I was extremely nervous/anxious about getting the right documentation so hopefully this will put some minds at ease.