My Experience in the Quarantine Hotel upon Arrival in Japan
Re-entering Japan in Covid time: My first-hand experience in the mandatory hotel
Since the appearance of the new covid-19, Japan has had a very strict border policy, remaining closed to the world. Only foreign residents and nationals are allowed to enter the country. But they must follow a fairly strict process and rules, especially since April last year. These measures had begun to ease a bit in November, but the emergence of the omicron variant prompted the newly elected Prime Minister Kishida to reintroduce restrictions. These measures include a mandatory quarantine of 10 days upon arrival in the country. Depending on your country of origin, part of this mandatory quarantine is in a place designated by these authorities (usually in a hotel).
How many days do you have to stay at the hotel depends on the country you come from or the countries you have visited. It can be 3, 6 or 10 nights. In the case of people who only have to do spend 3 nights, on the morning of the fourth day a saliva PCR test will be performed. If this test is negative, then they can go home and finish the quarantine there (the other 7 days left). People who must spend 6 nights at the hotel will do the PCR test on the morning of their fourth day as well and then on their last hotel day. And the same with the 10 days in the hotel. Every 3-4 days a PCR test is performed.
If you want to know how many hotel days you have to spend depending on the country of departure, I recommend you to take a look at this article with the list of countries and the corresponding hotel days.
I have personally gone through that experience twice. The first one in early August 2021 and the second one now in January 2022. The first time I got the Toyoko Inn hotel near Narita, but the second time it was an APA in Ryogoku. In my case both times there have been 3 days in a hotel, so in spite of the bad, I consider myself lucky.
I have also done hotel stay twice, and actually am in designated hotel at the moment. My first time in Sept 2021 was also at APA in Ryogoku. I would say that the author’s comments about time required at the airport should not be considered as the only view. My experience at Narita in Sept is that process took about 5 hours from flight arrival to in my hotel room. My second time I arrived via Haneda two days ago and process was 5.5 hours from time flight arrived to in my hotel room. Key I think is be aware time can vary, probably due to when your flight arrives and how busy the quarantine station is.
Regarding food, I have requested vegan option both times (my dietary preference). Food is not necessarily more varied. I have had very similar meals for past two days. I do bring foods with me that only need hot water to prepare. I also bring my own supply of coffee or tea bags that I can make as supplies provided in room only allow 1 coffee a day.
The type of hotel can vary and I know many local people now refer to this as “Covid lottery”. APA Ryogoku is nicer than some based upon experience of a colleague that has done hotel stay 4 times in 2020. I was very lucky this trip and won lottery, being in very spacious room at Villa Fontaine near Haneda airport.
My advice is be prepared for small room, bring food with you to supplement, and to not be able to go outside your room. I think if you mentally prepare then it is more tolerable.
Regards,
Paul.