Quarantine in Osaka, Japan (Coming from Australia, January 2022)

Aside from the very active Facebook group “Return To Japan Support Group”   , there hasn’t been a lot of blog posts on the internet about people’s experiences.  This post will talk about my own experience doing PCR tests in Sydney and Japan quarantine.

Personal Info:

I’m an Australian citizen currently residing in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher since 2017. So, some of this information might not be helpful for those who are not current residents, non visa holders or non-Japanese citizens.

Timeline prior to returning to Japan:

I returned to Sydney, Australia during holiday season in 2021 ,just as cases went from 200 to 20000 per day. Prior to arriving in Australia I got my vaccination certificate from my local city. It was in Japanese & English.
I got the certificate by following the instructions on my city hall’s website. If you search “海外渡航用の新型コロナワクチン接種証明書（ワクチンパスポート）について” with your city name you should be able to find the page about getting one.
You will need to provide your vaccination receipt that you got when you were vaccinated as well as copies of identification documents.

I travelled with Singapore Airlines which requires a pre-flight PCR test. I got the test at a local clinic (in Himeji) which cost me around 20000 yen. Results received on the same day.

Once I arrived at Sydney Airport the process went smoothly – they briefly checked my vaccine certificate and let me pass through to collect my luggage.

As I arrived in mid December 2021 I had to do 72 hours isolation and nasal swabs on the 1st,3rd and 6th days. This requirement has been removed now.

Getting PCR tests to travel to Japan in Sydney

I was flying out to Osaka via Singapore on the 2nd of January. Japan and Singapore Airlines have different requirements for people travelling. Japan requires a PCR test within 72 hours of your flight but Singapore Airlines requires it to be 48 hours.
There are two major pathology services that provide PCR travel certificates , Sonic Travel Testing  and Histopath. Sonic’s PCR test costs $145 whereas Histopath’s costs $75.

I went with Sonic because Histopath’s clinics were closed during the holiday period. Both clinics provide you with a completed MOFA form needed to enter Japan, just make sure to specify it on application.

Sonic Pathology Travel Testing 

Histopath Travel Testing

Sonic’s website also gives locations where they conduct PCR tests for people travelling to Japan.

Sonic Pathology Travel Testing – Japan locations

I got my results via SMS within 12 hours of the test and received the completed MOFA form via email within 48 hours of the test.

In order to make the process entering Japan go smoothly, I printed out all the results and form.

It is also good if you print out the pledge and complete the QR code prior to your arrival in Japan.

Flying with Singapore Airlines Tip

Prior to your flight, you can bid to upgrade your seat. You only get charged if your bid is successful. In my case I got upgraded to premium economy for $100. More information here.

Entering Japan

I arrived at KIX airport at 10pm JST. At the time the plane was the only arrival at the airport.
There are multiple stages you go through.

Arriving at KIX, Osaka COVID-19 procedures

As my plane was the only arrival at KIX at the time the process took about an hour. I had to wait approximately 30 minutes for my test result and I arrived at my quarantine location at around 12am.
At the airport you will be asked about dietary preferences for your mandated days at the hotel. I said I wanted the halal option.
Since I was arriving from Sydney I only had to do 3 days hotel quarantine – the rest I could do in my apartment.

Quarantine location

My quarantine hotel was Hotel Nikko Airport Hotel , about a 5 minute bus ride from the airport.
If you’re lucky your room may face the sea , you will get a view of the Awaji Bridge.
In general, as a rule, you cannot leave your room at any time during quarantine.

View from my hotel window – at Hotel Nikko Airport Hotel, Osaka

The room

The room was a standard sized, perfect for a solo traveler. There was a tv, humidifier, air conditioner, kettle and mini-fridge.

Room at Hotel Nikko Airport Hotel, Osaka

Meals

Since I arrived late at night I was given some vegan noodles, a banana, some bread and water.

You are given meals 3 times a day. Typically they consisted of a salad, bread, yogurt, fruit and a drink.

Quarantine breakfast at Hotel Nikko Airport Hotel, Osaka

Lunch usually consisted of a warm main , yoghurt. salad, vegetable soup ,dessert and a drink.
The mains are sourced from Royal Deli– a halal food provider in Japan.

Quarantine lunch , Gyudon, at Hotel Nikko Airport Hotel, Osaka

Quarantine lunch , vegetarian penne, at Hotel Nikko Airport Hotel, Osaka

Dinner usually consisted of a main and bread.

Quarantine dinner , Soborodon, at Hotel Nikko Airport Hotel, Osaka

Quarantine dinner , butter chicken curry, at Hotel Nikko Airport Hotel, Osaka

Getting a taxi home

On the 2nd day of quarantine I emailed the MOFA approved taxi service Shibayama Taxi Osaka and reserved a taxi. Their webpage has English information available and you can see prices for certain cities On the 3rd day of hotel quarantine you are required to get a PCR test by 7am. My results came a bit late (5pm) but the taxi waited for me.
Altogether the taxi ride back was 32400 yen – originally 70000+ but the government covers some of the cost.

Home Quarantine 

Home quarantine is simple, you just need to answer the My SOS calls and click the “i’m here” prompt whenever it appears.
You are not allowed to take public transport but you’re allowed to go to the nearest supermarket or conbini.