Travel to the United States of America
As of June 12, 2022, the CDC no longer requires air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States. The CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers
Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions
All non-immigrant, non-U.S. citizen air travelers to the United States are required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States. This requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), or immigrants.
For detailed information regarding Covid-19 vaccine requirements for travel to the United States, please visit our travel requirements page.
Travelers to the United States who have recently been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should review the CDC guidance before traveling. While in Japan, close contacts should review advice on the MHLW website.
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.
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.
Individual tourists may visit Japan starting October 11, 2022, subject to vaccine or testing requirements as further described in the U.S. Embassy’s“Information for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Japan”webpage.
Tourists with U.S. passports no longer need a visa to stay up to three months.
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.
Upon arrival in Japan, travelers will be required to complete documentation, and may be required to download several smartphone applications. If a traveler does not have a smartphone, most international airports offer an option for travelers to rent one upon arrival.
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.
For information on Japan’s latest travel restrictions, please see these websites:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Phased Measures for Resuming Cross-Border Travel
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Application for Visa for Foreign Nationals Eligible for Phase Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Border Enforcement Measures to Prevent the Spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Ministry of Justice: Information Related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from Immigration Service Agency
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.
Is a negative COVID-19 test required for entry? Passengers who have been fully vaccinated and boosted with vaccines approved by the Japanese government and who are arriving in Japan after October 11, 2022, will not require a pre-travel COVID-19 test. Those traveling to Japan via a direct flight from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) (excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macau) are required to obtain a certificate of pre-departure test. 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
U.S. citizens seeking information about visa extensions should consult with the Immigration Service Agency
Please note: These complex regulations are subject to change with little notice. 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.
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.
Movement Restrictions
Is a curfew in place? No
Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No
Quarantine Information
Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No
Transportation Options
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes
- Is public transportation operating? Yes
Face masks are almost universally worn in public, especially in urban areas, indoors and on public transportation.
Fines for Non-Compliance (if applicable)
Foreign residents found to disregard any applicable quarantine instructions may have their residency status canceled and face deportation.
Consular Operations
What ACS services are being offered? The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and consulates in Japan have resumed routine American Citizen Services. To schedule an appointment with the American Citizen Services unit, visit this website.
What visa services are being offered? The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and consulates in Japan have resumed routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services. To schedule an appointment with the visa unit, visit this online page.
United States Forces Japan Restrictions:
United States Forces Japan bases may institute restrictions based on local conditions. Many restrictions are specific to individual bases or areas. For more information, please contact base command officials.
Local Resources
Below are sources of local COVID-19 information in English. U.S. citizens should closely monitor trusted local news sources and local authorities’ communications for updates and information. This list is not exhaustive:
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government
- Chiba Prefecture
- Saitama Prefecture
- Gifu Prefecture
- Mie Prefecture
- Kyoto Prefecture
- Nagoya City (Aichi Prefecture)
- Okinawa Prefecture
- Hokkaido Prefecture
akansensho/corona.html”>Osaka Prefecture
The Japan National Tourism Organization maintains up-to-date information on screening and quarantine measures for travelers. It also operates a 24/7 visitor hotline, available in English. To call from Japan: 050-3816-2787; from overseas: +81-50-3816-2787.
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also has a 24/7 hotline at +81-3-3595-2176 with English-speaking operators, and has a Q&A on the new measures.
The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia Medical Information Center are operating a hotline to assist foreign nationals in Japan with questions about COVID-19. It is available from 10:00 to 17:00, and can be reached at 03-6233-9266. More information can be found here.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched a multilingual call center on COVID-19 for foreign residents. They can be reached by phone from 10:00 to 17:00, Monday through Friday, at 0120-296-004. Callers should note that the initial recording is in Japanese, but if you stay on the line you can be assisted in English.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has a dedicated page on COVID-19.
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has a dedicated COVID-19 page with additional information, including information on how to seek medical care in Japan. JNTO also operates a 24-hour hotline for visitors.
If you are currently in Japan and believe that you may have symptoms of COVID-19, please call JNTO’s hotline at 050-3816-2787.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government published a chart on what to do if you’re worried you might be infected with COVID-19: (English) (Japanese)
Other links
- COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
- CDC page on COVID-19
- Japan Country Information