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Travel Advisory Level 1: Exercise Normal Caution Travel Advisory Level 1: Updated overall advisory level after periodic review. Read More...
COVID-19 Information
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17 MINUTE READ
May 12, 2023

Country-Specific Information for Japan

Highly infectious COVID-19 variants have occasionally led to strained hospital capacity and medical infrastructure.

U.S. citizens are urged to follow all national and prefectural COVID-related guidance to protect their health, bearing in mind that transmission rates can accelerate and hospital capacity can quickly become strained in many areas.

COVID-19 Testing

  • Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Japan? Yes
  • If so, are test results reliably available within 24 to 72 hours? Yes
  • Travelers should contact their local health provider to determine the location of testing facilities within Japan. A non-comprehensive list of some COVID-19 testing facilities can be found here on the Embassy website.
  • Method of delivery of test results will vary between clinics, please consult with your provider prior to undergoing testing.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

  • Has the government of Japan approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
  • Are vaccines available in Japan for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes, for U.S. citizens who are residents of Japan
  • Which vaccines are available in Japan? Pfizer, COMIRNATY, Moderna, and AstraZeneca Vaxzevria vaccines are currently approved in Japan.
  • The Government of Japan launched an English language website with information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Japan. For the most up-to-date information about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in Japan, consult with your medical provider.
  • Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
  • The U.S. government does not provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
  • The U.S. Embassy does not issue a certificate for vaccinations nor are we aware of an entity in Japan that will issue a vaccine certificate for those who received the vaccine overseas. We encourage those who need a vaccination certificate to continue to talk to your local city hall or Ward Office for clarification. When traveling internationally, people who received their vaccine in the United States should travel with their white CDC vaccination card. Those who received their vaccine in Japan and wish to apply for a vaccine certificate should contact their Ward Office for additional information.

Entry and Exit Requirements for Travel to Japan

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter?  Yes, visa free tourism resumed October 11, 2022.  Tourists with U.S. passports no longer need a visa to stay up to three months. 

Is a negative COVID-19 test required for entry?  No.  Please refer to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare’s website  for more details. 

Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?   Yes.

Because travel regulations and restrictions are complex and are subject to change with little notice, the U.S. Embassy strongly urges any U.S. citizens considering travel to Japan to carefully review the information available from the Government of Japan. Travelers who are unsure of their eligibility to travel to Japan should contact the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate for additional information. 

Effective as of midnight April 29, 2023 (Japan time), all travelers arriving in Japan will no longer need to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test certificate. For more info: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html.

Military travelers arriving in Japan under the Status of Forces Agreement should consult with their chain of command to ensure they understand any applicable requirements prior to beginning travel. 

The U.S. Embassy’s ability to intervene on behalf of travelers denied boarding at their point of embarkation or denied entry upon arrival to Japan is extremely limited, and those travelers denied entry at Japanese ports of entry will likely be immediately reboarded on flights back to the United States. 

The U.S. Embassy strongly urges any U.S. citizens considering travel to Japan to carefully review the information available from the Government of Japan.  For information on Japan’s latest travel restrictions, please see these websites: 

For questions regarding the government of Japan’s travel restrictions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides contact information in Section Two of this website  and you may also contact Japanese immigration Information Centers .

Travelers entering Japan may use the Electronic Customs Declaration Gates (e-Gates) for customs clearance, which reduces human-to-human contact. Travelers may wish to learn more about the program before arriving in Japan. Please see the Japan Customs website  for details.  U.S. citizens seeking information about visa extensions should consult with the Immigration Service Agency.  

Please visit “Information for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Japan” for more information.   

U.S. Citizen Services