I made it to Japan on July 31. This is really late but I don't think a lot have changed since my experience. Well few things have changed of course with regards to the number of days you have to quarantine yourself in the designated hotel and stuff so make sure to always check on that! So yeah but this is my experience and I think this more or less what you have to expect when returning to Japan. I am fully vaccinated at the time of my arrival but back then, it didn't matter. Being vaccinated has its bearing now so make sure to take advantage of that.
I came from the Philippines and the documents needed for leaving is basically the minimum requirement of the place you're going to. At the airport, I remember being asked to present the MOFA form and the written pledge. They also asked for the completed QR code that I didn't have at first so let me share the code with you. Just in case you still have to! You just have to fill out the thing and at the end, there will be a QR code displayed and just take a screenshot of it for the person at the check in counter to scan. You will also need to scan that same QR code at one of the stations when you reach Japan.
must have apps!
When it comes to the documents that you have to bring, you don't have to have multiple copies of everything but in case you're clumsy like me, I suggest you make a copy just in case you lose it along the process of moving and stuff. I also suggest that you make a folder for the apps that you have to be dealing with when you're at the airport. I don't have an active Japan number then so what happened was they sent an email to know for sure that they can reach me in the email address I provided. So for those who are asking, you don't have to have a Japanese number for all of these. Although you STILL have to provide two Japanese numbers at one of the stations. In my case, I provided my dad's prepaid phone number and my friend's.
MySOS is the one you'll be dealing with during your quarantine. That's the app you'll use to report your location and the app where they'll be calling and stuff. Also, the MySOS that is searchable on the app store is quite different from the ones they have in there but don't worry! They have a QR code that you can scan and download there.
I have found an amazing group on Facebook and reading other people's experiences guided me and made everything easier for me. I was with a group of people who didn't know what to do but yeah having a background of the rundown makes it kind of easier for my sister and I. Well, we're also Japanese but still! It made everything less confusing. I arrived at the airport around before 12pm and I reached my quarantine hotel room at around 11pm. Most of time is me waiting for everyone else to finish.
The first station back in July is the waiting area and also where they'll give you the papers. Papers such as your hotel food preference, the quarantine duration based on where you came from, etc. This also where they check the papers you already have and give you whatever it is that you're lacking. This is also where they briefly discuss the hotel quarantine thingy. I tell you! Most people were shocked that they won't be allowed out right away.
Second station is where they validate and collect your RT-PCR test and other documents/forms that you brought.
Third station is where you collect your sample for the SALIVA RT-PCR. They have pictures of sour foods to help you out but yeah, didn't work much for me. I had to imagine my mom's sinigang!
Fourth station is where they check the apps! And like what I told you earlier, this is where they'll check how they can contact you. I used my e-mail for this matter. They sent me an e-mail and then the guy sitting there asked me to read what he sent. Then the apps! It's very basic stuff so don't worry. I highly recommend that you download the app so you won't be bothered as much.
Fifth station is where you have to wait the longest. You have to wait for your number to be called which by the way they will assign to you at one of the stations. I just forgot what station they did that. They will ask you to put the sticker that has your number at the back of your passport and ask that you do not take it off during your quarantine.
Sixth station is where they will be giving you a paper that says your result.
Seventh is the immigration, baggage, and custom. Then voila! You just have to wait for everyone else in your bus to finish so you can all go in peace to the hotel.
Another verification set-up was waiting for us in the hotel so there's that.
Despite being with my sister, we decided to be on different hotel room because she has online classes to attend to so I don’t really want bother her or get bothered by her whatever the case is.
The hotel provided a thermometer that you can use to report your temperature to a website of some sort that they'd be providing during your check-in.
The bentos will be served as it is. The hotel rooms doesn't have a microwave in them so...
I don't usually have a problem eating cold bentos but since I don't really have anything better to do, I tried to steam it up using the kettle that they have in the room. But! it doesn't really work that much. But yeah, it's better I guess. Be very careful though! I don't recommend you doing the same.
Can I just say?? When we were done on our hotel quarantine, when we were inside the bus on our way to the airport, I overheard some women planning their escape plan. And sadly, they managed to do so. As much as I find it unfair for everyone who tried to figure out a way to comply with the rules, I did nothing to stop them. My sister and I had to wait 13 hours at the airport to wait for our ride for goodness sake! And these people get to what? Ride a bus or something? My goodness gracious. Anyway, I mean, what would I even say to them? They’re grown ups who signed a waiver form and all that. Yeah, no one really cared as much when we returned to the airport.
The MySOS app looks something like this before a video call and I must say I was able to answer just about 90% of the calls. I must have missed because for the last few days, they'd call earlier than the first ones so it's just kind of hard to adjust and all that. They'd then put another call later in the day or sometimes they won't.
I tried to email them for the first two calls that I missed but their reply was not to worry when I miss another call so yeah. I’m not sure what they meant with the last statement though. But yeah, my sister and I were just at home 24/7 so I wasn’t really worried that they’d come or whatever the case is but yeah to save everyone’s time, I tried to reach out.
As of this writing, 11/30/2021, it’s not looking good. Borders are being shut yet again because of the Omicron variant scare. I think this post is becoming more relevant again when it comes to the quarantine procedure and such. No one knows for sure.
I wish you all good luck in entering Japan. I know times are tough for everyone right now. Please be guided accordingly.
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