How to Get COVID19 Test in Japan and Being COVID Positive
Updated September 04, 2022
After 3 years of successfully avoiding the 'rona, it finally caught up to me this month. I had been feeling extremely tired (more than usual) for two days leading up to me getting some flu-like symptoms, which was what prompted me to stay home from work and ultimately get tested.
Knowing the horror stories of testing from previous years and in the beginning of the pandemic, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to secure a COVID test myself. However, a coworker of mine had told me how she had gotten a test from a local pharmacy with little hassle. So I decided to take this route for testing instead of visiting a hospital and waiting for who knows how long for a test.
Please note that this is the process in OSAKA PREFECTURE. If you are in a different prefecture, the rules and how many hurdles you need to go through to do something may vary and differ.
Free Antigen Tests
In Osaka, you can visit this website that lists a bunch of pharmacies that stock the test kits that you can receive for free to Osaka prefecture residences. Here is the one for the nation. These are all rapid antigen kits, so they probably aren't as accurate as actually PCR tests. But since I already had symptoms, I figured I have enough viral load inside of me for these antigen kits to figure out if I'm positive or not.
The pharmacy only gives out these kits to people with symptoms and people who had close contact, I believe. So there's that. If you're asymptomatic, you will have to go the more traditional route.
This is also only available to those between the ages of 12-49, so if you don't meet the age requirements, you will also need to go the more traditional route.
Here's the Japanese webpage on this test kit distribution:
https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/kansenshokikaku/kensataisei/kougen-keisyo.html
Once you pinpointed your closest pharmacy, please give the place a call before you go! Most pharmacies don't just distribute these all day long - there's a time period where they accept calls and another time specific for pick up. These times are all listed on the PDF files you click into if you're using the Osaka-specific pharmacy tracker. (not quite sure if the nation-wide one has this listed)
If you don't speak Japanese, you can still try to call as essentially all you need to say is you need a kit. And they will ask you a few questions like your name, your age and what kind of symptoms you have and they'll probably tell you a time you should come to pick it up. They will also instruct you to wait outside the shop when you go to pick up, give them a call again to tell them you've arrived and they will come outside to ask for ID. After that, they will give you the kit and you'll be on your way. If this is too difficult, you may want to enlist a friend or a partner to help you complete this phone call for you.
The above photo shows the type (not the exact one) of test kit I received. My package says that the results will appear in 15-20 minutes, but the results showed up after a few minutes. It was very much like getting a flu test in Japan with the swab in your nose and all. Can be a bit uncomfortable for first-timers, especially when you have to inflict it upon yourself lol.
But this is really the easy part.
Tested Positive - Now What?
If you test positive, this is where it all begins. Since you did not go though a clinic or a hospital, you will have to self-report. In Osaka, the test kit should come with a list of instructions and a bunch of QR codes that essentially lead you to...
This information website:
https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/kansenshoshien/jitaku_ryouyou/index.html#jitakutaikisos
If you have an emergency or if you are living with someone who is high-risk, call the SOS number listed on the website. I believe if you need to isolate in a hotel, this is the number you'd call as well.
And this self-reporting online clinic:
https://osaka.doctors-station.com/top
The self-reporting online clinic is crucial if you want to receive ration boxes. THe self-reporting online will get you medication as well. In essence, you need to receive a "HER-SYS number". Which you will receive after you self-report.
The self-report requires you to enter your personal data, date of COVID test and report symptoms you currently have.
Once you've done this, enter into the chatroom and upload a photo of:
1) your health insurance card
2) results of your COVID19 test (from the home kit)
When this is all completed, a doctor from the online clinic will call you to confirm your identity, your symptoms and tell you that they will send you the medication you need (if you said you want some during your self-report). This doctor person will also tell you that you will now be spammed with SMS from your phone that will contain your HER-SYS number and more daily self-reporting shit connected to the goddamn COCOA system.
Why they can't do all of this on one website...??
Beats me. This is Japan, after all.
Oh, and yes - COCOA will also spam you with SMS every day from now on too. Fun! If you're me and you've set your phone to block all messages from unregistered phone numbers, make sure you check your block/spam box for that HER-SYS number.
Rations For Self-Isolation
Once you get the SMS with your HER-SYS number, you can apply for food rations to be delivered to your house. However, if you have asked to isolate in a hotel room, I don't believe you qualify for the rations. When I called the SOS number, the guy on the phone told me that it was not possible to get both. Which makes sense. Of course, if it's a two-person household and both of you are isolating, one of you can go to the hotel and the other can apply for food rations. And guess what? Another website. And yes, you need to make yet another login to apply. Yay.
This is the link to the box of rations:
I received my food rations on the 5th day of isolation. Prior to those days, I had some rice and pasta to hold me over. And my partner had gone to the supermarket when I tested positive. Since the food rations don't help on the first couple of days, I recommend getting delivery or have a friend get some groceries if possible.
In general, the food rations are mostly things you can make in a microwave or with water. I got lots of packets of instant soups, instant rice, instant noodles, jars of condiments, canned foods, bags of baked beans, veggie juices, etc. Even powdered pocari sweat. And bagged bread (like, for emergencies). They're mostly stuff high with calories but not necessarily healthy.
So if you're a bit of a picky eater or have a strict diet, I would maybe forego the ration box.
I think it's super helpful to have a box like this if you've been hit hard with COVID and don't have the energy to cook. It have quite a heavy box and it could easily last me more than 5 days. Plus, it's free - so there's not much to complain about!
And that's pretty much it. Just navigating through a shit ton of websites... while feeling like death. Fun times, honestly. If you have a partner with Japanese skills who can help you with this, I'm sure this will be much easily for you.
I hope this helps someone out there.
Be safe and take care, everyone!
EDIT IN AUGUST 2023
In order to get a COVID test now, you must visit a clinic with symtoms! If you're in Osaka, I recommend visiting Nakamura Clinic. The doctor speaks English and forms are in English. Please call in advance for advice and DO NOT show up at the clinic with a fever, they will not take you.
