While COVID-19 has become less of a concern, the dastardly virus doesn’t look like it’s going to disappear anytime soon, and it’s still more than capable of ruining your holiday or even worse. Self-administered rapid antigen tests are still (as of February 1st, 2023) expensive and difficult to find. Luckily, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has made it easy to get PCR tests at testing centers throughout the capital. And they’re free!
Note: If you need a COVID-19 test certificate for travel, then check out our other guide to getting a certificate of negative COVID-19 for travel.
Who can get a free COVID-19 test in Tokyo?
With these new provisions anyone can get tested at one of the sites listed below. However, if you have COVID-19 symptoms you should instead contact your GP, or call the Coronavirus call center (operators available in 11 languages).
List of free COVID-19 testing sites in Tokyo
The full list of testing sites can be found on the Tokyo Government website here (in Japanese), and Here’s a handy google map with the testing sites marked:
We’ve summarised the options below.
Welcia Pharmacy
As of writing, many of the free testing sites are at Welcia pharmacies. They have multiple branches in most Tokyo districts and many of them offer free testing, so chances are one of these will be your closest option. You can use their store locator to find a nearby branch, but double check that it’s on the government list (link above) before heading out.
Free PCR Test Sites
Some Kinoshita Group and Pikapaka Company test sites in Tokyo offer free testing.
| Test Center Name | Location | Address | Map Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSJ | Hachioji | Hachioji, 8-9 Azumacho | https://goo.gl/maps/UsRek8dAgvTY5sJRA |
| Kinoshita Group | Kichijoji | Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 1 Chome−8−4 | https://goo.gl/maps/qYTzT4VpZXetwymVA |
| Kinoshita Group | Shimbashi | Minato City, Shinbashi, 2 Chome−16−1 ニュー新橋ビル 1F 西側角 | https://goo.gl/maps/7vMm7SdAW4eU9dF56 |
| Pikapaka | Shimbashi | Minato City, Shinbashi, 1 Chome−17−1 内田ビル 1F | https://goo.gl/maps/ghQvgLJ6G1a3BbhLA |
| TMS Clinic PCR Testing Center | Akasaka/Akasaka-mitsuke | 3-2-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku | https://goo.gl/maps/1wo1rMTParUvhmYZ9 |
| J – VPD | Shinjuku | Shinjuku City, Aizumicho, 22, Yamada Bldg-3, 1階B室 | https://goo.gl/maps/RKdyWZRdypqnfivSA |
| Pikapaka | Ikebukuro | Toshima City, Nishiikebukuro, 1 Chome−15−8 三仲ビル 2F | https://goo.gl/maps/p5W1wvKLKNGCkhnX9 |
| Kinoshita Group | Ikebukuro | Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 1 Chome−22−7 端光ビル | https://goo.gl/maps/h2jukfYSS1QUZZZt9 |
| Kinoshita Group | Hamatsucho | Minato City, Shibadaimon, 1 Chome-16-8 | https://goo.gl/maps/6y9ERuNrZg7Ud7Ry8 |
| Kinoshita Group | Shibuya | Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 2 Chome−8−9 市橋ビル | https://goo.gl/maps/yFdWPARuwRaTSoQT8 |
| Pikapika | Shibuya | Shibuya City, Shibuya, 2 Chome−19−20 宮益坂村瀬ビル 1F | https://goo.gl/maps/zPGYrPwEczbMkdreA |
| Kinoshita Group | Akihabara | Chiyoda City, Sotokanda, 1 Chome−14−7 秋葉原野村ビル | https://goo.gl/maps/ZcwyyhwbEyBNB37r6 |
| MSJ | Tachikawa | Tachikawa, Akebonocho, 2 Chome-3-4 | https://goo.gl/maps/EgiTsrpDWCj1xkKy9 |
| Kinoshita Group | Haneda Airport | Haneda Airport Terminal 1 | https://goo.gl/maps/4Ttj61NCYwWgBceN7 |
| Kinoshita Group | Haneda Airport | Haneda Airport Terminal 2 | https://goo.gl/maps/N7URSNwnLAGZJzEH9 |
What you need to bring for taking a free COVID-19 test
You’ll need to bring some ID that confirms your address (residence card, driver’s license, my number card, passport). You’ll also need to fill out a form at the testing site. Once you’ve been tested, if it’s a PCR test, then results will likely take 1 to 3 days and for LAMP or rapid antigen tests results will arrive next-day at the latest.
