2022 Departures

Transportation options to NARITA Airport:

By train

Take bullet train from Karuizawa to Ueno, and take Skyliner from Ueno to Narita
Estimated cost: ¥8330 - (*JR discount available (approx. 500yen) from Karuizawa to Ueno. Please see here for more details.)

Estimated time: 2hrs 30minutes.

You can check the train schedule here.

By chartered taxi (Chuo Taxi)

Please make a reservation via email ([email protected]). You need to make a reservation 5 days before departure day.

Estimated cost: ¥46,000 per taxi (up to 4 people) *¥11500 per person will be added to the cost if there are more than 5 people (a taxi can accommodate up to 7 people)

Estimated time: Please check with Chuo Taxi

Transportation options to HANEDA Airport:

By train

Take bullet train from Karuizawa to Tokyo, take JR train from Tokyo to Hamamatsucho, and take Tokyo Monorail from Hamamatsucho to Haneda

Estimated cost: ¥6520 - *JR discount available (approx. ¥500) from Karuizawa to
Tokyo. Please see here for more detail.

Estimated time: 1hr 45 minutes
You can check the train schedule here.

By taxi (Chuo Taxi)

Please make a reservation via email (maitlo:[email protected]). You need to make a reservation 5 days before departure day.

Estimated cost: ¥46,000 per taxi (up to 4 people) ¥11500 per person will be added to the cost if there are more than 5 people (a taxi can accommodate up to 7 people)

Estimated time: Please check with Chuo Taxi

*UWC ISAK Japan will coordinate a shuttle bus to Karuizawa station; schedules will be posted and students will be informed accordingly.

Nearly all airlines and countries require a proof of a negative PCR (most probable) or Antigen (United States) test taken within 48 - 96 hours of departure. Please check with your airlines and your country/embassy for details.

We recommend that you get a PCR test at the airport prior to your departure. This is more expensive than some of the other options, but you do not need to worry about receiving your results on time.

You need to make a reservation for airport PCR testing. We recommend that you schedule an appointment at least 5 hours prior to your check-in time, or 7 - 8 hours prior to your flight departure time. It is more expensive to take the test without a reservation. We strongly encourage students to complete the online reservation process several days prior to the flight.

Note: Do not eat or drink at least 30 minutes before taking the test.

PCR Test by Appointment

1. Check-in at the airport to the testing site as per your appointment. Be at least 10 minutes early to the test.
2. You must not have had anything to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes before the test. This is VERY important.
3. You will be asked to fill in paperwork to declare that you are currently not feeling sick or have any symptoms that could be Covid-like
4. When the test is complete you will pay for the test (cash only) and be given a receipt (do not lose this piece of paper)
5. Once the test is completed, you will be asked to return to pick up the results - be on time for the pick-up, you will need your receipt to get your results. Make sure to place all this paperwork in your important files folder, as you will need it to check in for your flight.

Narita PCR Testing

Reservations: https://www.nms-pcr.com/en/
Price: 23,000 JPY

Haneda PCR Testing

Reservations: https://pcr.toho-haneda.org/
Price: 20,000 JPY

You should assume travel will be more complex than normal, and you should prepare accordingly. Here are some suggestions for things you should have in your possession while traveling (do not place important documents in your suitcase):

• Create contact information (address and phone number) of where you will be staying at your destination. You may need this for your travel forms.
  School address (you may need to fill that in as your place of residence in Japan)

  UWC ISAK Japan
  5827-136 Nagakura
  Karuizawa, Kitasaku District
  Nagano 389-0111, Japan

• Cash for emergencies
• Residence card (you will need this to re-enter Japan if you are returning)
• Masks and hand sanitizer in a small container, etc.
• Snacks for the flight (Restaurant options are limited at the airport)
• Create a digital file with copies of your passport, ID Card, birth certificate and any other important documents that can be lost, so that you have a back-up
• An envelope or folder to keep all of your documents in one place, easy to reach in your personal carry-on bag
• A small notebook and pen - just in case
• If you are traveling directly to the USA for university, you should have all of your college paperwork with you too

Check-in for the flight

1. You will be asked to show proof of your PCR test results
2. You will be asked to show proof of health document that you filled out for the PCR test
3. You might also need to fill out paperwork for where you will be staying and with whom when you arrive at your destination. It is very important that you have this information with you.
4. You might be told that you need to re-test upon arrival. If this is the case, you will need to have an extra-reserve of cash for that test.

Money Exchange

Money exchange services are open at the airports. If you have Japanese Yen in cash, you might want to exchange your money for USD or EUR at the airport before you depart Japan (depending on your destination).