Recently I visited Japan for the Osaka Marathon. This was my first trip back to Japan since the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the country has very recently only allowed tourists to enter the country since they shut their borders due to the pandemic, I found out that there are still some procedures in place in order to enter. These measures are being taken to curb the spread of Covid-19 within Japan and prevent tourists from bringing Covid-19 into the country.

What and how to fill out 

In order to gain entry into Japan, you are required to go to https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/ then create a new account and fill out the form.

This form is the fast track application form to visit Japan. 

It takes a while to fill everything out so make sure you prepare about 15-30 minutes to complete the form. It is free of charge to fill out. 

Covid testing and requirements 

Singaporeans do not need a visa to enter Japan and no quarantine or self-isolation is required. 

Neither a pre-departure test nor an on-arrival test is required – unless you have been to China within the last seven days prior to your arrival in Japan.

For those who have visited China or are flying in from China, then in this case both pre-departure and on-arrival testing is mandatory.

While it is possible to fill out the form at the airport after your flight has landed, it is time consuming and you will be standing around and holding up the queues for other people. So I strongly recommend you fill it out prior to departure to Japan. 

Vaccination status 

There are three mandatory sections to fill out.

• Quarantine procedures (fast track).

Here you provide your basic information (name, passport number, date of birth and expected arrival date to Japan). 

Then you will need to upload your vaccination information and documentation if you are fully vaccinated. 

You are considered as fully vaccinated if you have three doses of any of their approved vaccines. 

For Singaporeans, three doses of Pfizer/Comiranty and Moderna are under the approved vaccines so you are safe if you have been vaccinated under the national vaccination programme. 

The full list of approved vaccinations for travel to Japan are:

• Comirnaty/Pfizer (3 doses required)
• COVAXIN/Bharat Biotech (3 doses required)
• Janssen & Janssen (Only 2 doses required)
• Moderna (3 doses required)
• Nuvaxovid/Novavax (3 doses required)
• Vaxzevria/AstraZeneca (3 doses required)
• CONVIDECIA (Only 2 doses required)
• Sinopharm/Sinovac (3 doses required)
• COVAVAC/Covishield (3 doses required)

If your vaccine is not on the list, you will be considered as unvaccinated.

If you are not vaccinated, you are required to produce a negative PCR test result and upload the official test certificate within 72 hours of your departure to Japan. ART tests are not accepted.  

What else is required 

The other two declarations in the form are: 

• Disembarkation card for foreigners.

• Declaration of personal effects.

For these, you need to

• Fill out your basic details and that of your children, if any
• Fill in when you wish to enter Japan
• Follow the instructions and complete the immigration disembarkation card and the customs declarations

You will need to prepare the following documentation.

• Passport
• Vaccination certificate
• Flight details
• Accommodation where you are staying in Japan

If you have filled out the form correctly, you will receive a blue fast track screen and two QR codes. 

Do note that filling out the fast track application form means you do not need to fill out other immigration or customs forms that may be given to you by the airline.

Arriving in Japan 

When you arrive in Japan, follow the queues and show the officers your blue Japan Web screen. 

Once they have verified this, you can move on to immigration and customs. If everything has been done properly, this checking and verification process should take a couple of minutes as long as there are no queues.

For myself, when I arrived at Kansai airport at around 3pm on a February afternoon, there was a bit of a queue, but it took around five to ten minutes for me to get to the front of the line, because everything was very well organised, smooth and efficient.  

At the respective immigration and customs area, you will need to have the two QR codes scanned in order to pass through to the baggage claim area and arrival hall. 

You will need an internet connection to connect to the Japan fast track website, but do not fret, as there is wifi at the airport. 

Altogether the full process at Kansai airport from the plane to the arrival hall for me took around 20 to 30 minutes. The whole process is very smooth, orderly and efficient.

Conclusion

Hopefully this information on the Japan entry process are able to help you and that your experience is smooth too. Have a fun time for your next holiday in Japan.