Japan is the big-mountain dream trip, and the paperwork is no joke — quarantine is required, full stop. Nala earned her stamps the hard way, so here's the deal: this is a country where advance planning wins and last-minute scrambling loses. Sam and I mapped every step before booking a single flight. If you're taking your dog to Japan, start early and stack your documents like you mean it.
Bringing a pet to Japan requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How Japan handles your pet Key links: MAFF Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) main page (https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/index.html). Import from non-designated regions (https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/import-other.html). Import from designated rabies-free regions (https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/import-free.html). MAFF import guide PDF (https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/animal/dog/attach/pdf/import-other-42.pdf). Japan Customs pet info (https://www.customs.go.jp/english/c-answer_e/sonota/9006_e.htm). USDA APHIS Japan page (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-japan). CRITICAL: 180-day wait after FAVN rabies titer test (>=0.5 IU/ml). Must notify AQS 40+ days before arrival. Non-compliant pets quarantined up to 180 days at owner expense. Dogs must register with municipality within 30 days.
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Cabin policy Minimum age 12 weeks are not accepted. In some countries, first rabies vaccination can be given at 12 weeks old (84 days - 90 days old) or older, but in Japanese regulation, vaccinated under verified 2026-07-20 Advance booking required ✓ Yesnimal Quarantine Service at the time of arrival in Japan (refer to 1 (8)). Before blood collection and shipment to a designated laboratory, please ask the designated laboratory how to apply for the test, label the blood… verified 2026-07-15 Banned destinations ✗ YesManagement after import into Japan ................................................................................ 24 Contents Guide to importing dogs and cats (from Non-designated regions) 3 ◆ Inspections and… verified 2026-07-15 Crate must have/be a carrier ravling in cabin with me. Do I need to bring a carry? A: To avoid contact other animal and airport regulations, all animals must be kept inside the carry/crate when they are inside the airport.In case your dog is not… verified 2026-07-20 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ Accepted◆ Hand luggage (checked baggage) The dog or cat can be transported as a carry-on baggage or checked baggage. verified 2026-07-15 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoEnsure that dogs and cats do not come into contact with other animals during transportation (dogs and cats cannot be out of the transport cages). verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Crate must have/be a carrier the Disabled, please bring your dog (even if it is a service dog) in the carry/crate to the animal quarantine counter in the baggage claim area before going through customs inspection.Service dogs for mental diso the… verified 2026-07-05 Cargo: Minimum age 12 weeks In some countries, first rabies vaccination can be given at 12 weeks old (84 days - 90 days old) or older, but in Japanese regulation, vaccinated under 91 days old is invalid. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ Yesdogs and cats > Export dogs and cats from Japan Export dogs and cats from Japan When taking a dog or cat abroad, the dog or cat must meet both the entry conditions of the destination country and the exit conditions of… verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Heat embargo 4°C …rabies neutralizing antibodies is performed to eliminate the need for a waiting period as provided for in (4) above, please refer to the attachment. Foxes, skunks and raccoons ① Microc verified 2026-07-15 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yesapply for import inspection on arrival. Animal quarantine officer inspects the health certificate, physically checks the animal and issues the import quarantine certificate. The quarantine period varies by measures… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate validity 180 days …is fulfilled and the dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region for less than 180 days, it must be subject to detention quarantine upon arrival in Japan to compensate for the insufficient… verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Required ✓ YesAlternatively, please bring a compatible microchip reader that can read your pet’s microchip. verified 2026-07-20 Microchip · Standard ISO 11784 and 11785 …before the first rabies vaccination [→ STEP 2]. (Both procedures can be performed on the same day.) ISO 11784 and 11785 (15-digit microchip code which consists only of numbers.) (ISO: International Organization for… verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Tattoo accepted ✗ NoAll dogs and cats imported into Japan must be identified by a microchip. verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Must be done before vaccination ✓ YesStep 1 Microchip implanting Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination. verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Type quarantine facility Even if an animal becomes sick during the quarantine period, it cannot be released from the quarantine facility. verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Required ✓ Yesnt if import is not permitted ◆ Other matters (that an animal quarantine officer may instruct as necessary) Dogs and cats imported into Japan must undergo import quarantine in accordance with the Rabies Prevention Law… verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Reducible ✓ YesIf dogs and cats meet import requirements upon arrival in Japan, the quarantine period will be within 12 hours. verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Duration 14 days …you need to obtain a quarantine certificate from the National Quarantine Service, which requires more than 14 days If you are going to Japan, you need to obtain a quarantine certificate from the National Quarantin verified 2026-06-29 Quarantine · Pre-approval required ✓ Yesogs and cats to be imported into Japan must undergo import quarantine. Importer must notify the arrival plan to the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) by the due date and apply for import inspection on arrival. Anim verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Reduced duration 10 days STEP 5 Export inspection and issue of export quarantine certificate Export inspection is conducted within 10 days before departure, unless conditioned by the destination country. verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Approved facility required ✓ YesIf the importer wants the dog or cat to be returned without undergoing quarantine at the detention facility, these will be conducted under the directions of the Animal Quarantine Service, but the procedures must be… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesRabies antibody tests must be performed at one of the designated laboratories. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml 0.5 As to how to apply for the antibody test, please ask the designated laboratory which you use. If the antibody titer is less than 0.5 IU/ml, the dog or cat must be retested verified 2026-07-20 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test validity months 2 months The test result is valid for 2 years from the date of blood sampling verified 2026-07-20 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required ✓ Yess antibody testing laboratories (Biobest Laboratories Ltd) Rabies antidody test must be performed at one of the designated laboratories . This facility( Biobest Laboratories Ltd. ) has been revoked from the list of verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days 180 days about rabies antibody test is here Step 4 Waiting period (180 days or more) Dogs and cats are required to arrive in Japan after 180 days have passed from the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody test verified 2026-07-20 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test must follow vaccination days 91 days （Timing of rabies vaccination） First rabies vaccination At least 91days old at the time of vaccination （the date of birth is counted as day 0） After the microchip implanting… verified 2026-07-20 Import permit · Required ✓ YesStep 3 Advance notification ＜Advance notification＞ Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Lead time 40 days …notification＞ Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan. Notification can be made online through the NACCS . Or you can submit the… verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesHealth certificates that must be submitted to the Animal Quarantine Service can be submitted in the current way or if the government agency of the exporting country notifies in advance that an electromagnetic records of… verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Endorsed by official government veterinarian 1. The private veterinarian fills in the Form AC. And then you must obtain the Endorsment by the official government veterinarian. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days …only))by a own veterinarian or a veterinary officer of a government agency of the exporting country within 10 days before boarding,and after that get the Health Certificate issued by the government agancy of the… verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ YesENDORSEMENT BY OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT VETERINARIAN This section must be completed I, (NAME OF OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT VETERINARIAN) , an official government veterinarian of exporting country certify AFTER clinical inspection… verified 2026-07-15 Microchip required · Microchip required ✓ YesAlternatively, please bring a compatible microchip reader that can read your pet’s microchip. verified 2026-06-19 Other vaccinations · Leptospirosis ✓ Yesd in the health certificate: ・The animals must be identified by a microchip or other ways. ・The animals have shown no clinical sings of rabies(and leptospirosis only for dog) ・The facility must be designated as an… verified 2026-06-19 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesDogs must be vaccinated against rabies once a year under the Rabies Prevention Law in Japan. verified 2026-07-18 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ YesNote) If the rabies immunization period is exceeded during the waiting period, you must have the animal given booster immunization (refer to 1 (2)). verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Approved vaccines list Inactivated (killed) virus vaccine or recombinant vaccine; Live virus vaccine is not accepted Kind of vaccine: Rabies vaccination → inactivated (killed) virus vaccine or recombinant vaccine verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Booster interval 2 months …and leptospirosis) The test results of the rabies virus serum neutralizing antibody titer are valid for 2 years from the date of the verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 180 days 5 IU/ml or more, the last blood sampling date shall be starting point of the waiting period (180 days) verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Max vaccine age at travel 24 months If accompanying a certificate issued by the Animal Quarantine Service verifying that a microchip has been implanted and that rabies vaccinations (2 or more times) were given, and results of serological test for rabies… verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks In some countries, first rabies vaccination can be given at 12 weeks old (84 days - 90 days old) or older, but in Japanese regulation, vaccinated under 91 days old is invalid verified 2026-07-20 Tapeworm treatment · Required ✗ NoAn animal will not be denied importation or given a longer quarantine period on the grounds that it has not been immunized against a disease other than rabies. verified 2026-07-20 Tapeworm treatment · Window min hours before arrival 4 We recommend the following parasite treatment before departure (no more than 4 days before boarding) (2) Rabies immunization (dogs and cats) Time of vaccination: after microchip… verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate required · Health certificate required ✓ YesHealth certificates that must be submitted to the Animal Quarantine Service can be submitted in the current way or if the government agency of the exporting country notifies in advance that an electromagnetic records of… verified 2026-06-19 Rabies vaccination required · Rabies vaccination required ✓ YesDogs must be vaccinated against rabies once a year under the Rabies Prevention Law in Japan. verified 2026-06-19 Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days 10 days ary officer of a government agency of the exporting country within 10 days before boarding,and after that get the Health Certificate issued by the government agancy of the… verified 2026-07-20 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedould be performed in advance. F.A.Q. about detention quarantine inspection is here Designated airports and seaports where import of dogs is allowed Dogs can be imported only through the following ports. （Airport） New… verified 2026-07-20 Assistance animals accepted ✓ YesF.A.Q. about detention quarantine inspection is here Designated airports and seaports where import of dogs is allowed Dogs can be imported only through the following ports. （Airport） New Chitose airport, Narita… verified 2026-07-15 Service & assistance animals Recognized ✓ YesMarch, 2024 ). Travelling with your assistance dog Assistance dogs (guide dogs, service dogs, and hearing dogs regulated by law in Japan) need to meet the same import requi verified 2026-07-15 Documentation required ✓ Yesapply for import inspection on arrival. Animal quarantine officer inspects the health certificate, physically checks the animal and issues the import quarantine certificate. The quarantine period varies by measures… verified 2026-07-15 Hold & cargo policy Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoEnsure that dogs and cats do not come into contact with other animals during transportation (dogs and cats cannot be out of the transport cages). verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Microchip · Required ✓ YesDogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination. verified 2026-07-20 Microchip · Standard ISO 11784 and 11785 must comply with ISO 11784 and 11785 verified 2026-07-05 Microchip · Tattoo accepted ✗ NoAll dogs and cats imported into Japan must be identified by a microchip. verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Must be done before vaccination ✓ Yesrt guide (Non-designated regions) English(PDF : 497KB) 中文/Chinese(PDF : 522KB) Korean(PDF : 667KB) Japanese(PDF : 793KB) Flow chart Step 1 Microchip implanting Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the… verified 2026-07-05 Quarantine · Type quarantine facilities In such case the animal is held in the quarantine facilities of the Animal Quarantine Service for a certain period of time, and inspected to ascertain whether or not it… verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesPY 30,000 Note: For pets traveling to Japan as check in or cargo, Animal Bureau Quarantine of Japan must be notified at least forty (40) days prior to the arrival of the pet Regional Flights Pets are not included in the… verified 2026-07-24 Quarantine · Duration 14 days …you need to obtain a quarantine certificate from the National Quarantine Service, which requires more than 14 days If you are going to Japan, you need to obtain a quarantine certificate from the National Quarantin verified 2026-07-05 Quarantine · Pre-approval required ✓ YesFor pets traveling to Japan, the arrival date must be notified to the quarantine authorities of Japan and a “pet inspection approval” document must be issued at the latest by 40 days prior to arrival verified 2026-06-19 Quarantine · Approved facility required ✓ YesQuarantine is conducted at a detention facility the Animal Quarantine Service at the port of entry. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesTo import dogs and cats from non-designated regions, they must meet import requirements such as microchip implanting, rabies vaccination at least twice, rabies antibody test, and 180-day waiting. verified 2026-07-12 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml 0.5 Please note that the 180 days waiting begins as the date of blood sampling for the test which revealed antibody levels more than 0.5IU/mL verified 2026-07-20 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test validity months 2 months The test result is valid for 2 years from the date of blood sampling verified 2026-07-20 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required ✓ YesRabies antibody test must be performed at one of the designated laboratories. verified 2026-07-20 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days 180 days about rabies antibody test is here Step 4 Waiting period (180 days or more) Dogs and cats are required to arrive in Japan after 180 days have passed from the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody test verified 2026-07-20 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test must follow vaccination days 91 days （Timing of rabies vaccination） First rabies vaccination At least 91days old at the time of vaccination （the date of birth is counted as day 0） After the microchip implanting… verified 2026-07-20 Import permit · Required ✓ YesApplicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan. verified 2026-07-20 Import permit · Lead time 40 days Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesThe seal number must be stated on the Health certificate issued by exporting country. 2. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days …6 Clinical inspection before departure (pre-export inspection) Before leaving the exporting country (within 10 days before boarding), dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian. （Contents of… verified 2026-07-05 Health certificate · Original required ✓ Yesn I find out which government agency can issue the Export Certificate? How do I submit the Original health certificate, when my pet is exported as manifest cargo? 7 Quarantine period and inspection How will you take the… verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ Yes1. The private veterinarian fills in the Form AC. And then you must obtain the Endorsment by the official government verified 2026-07-20 Other vaccinations · Leptospirosis ✓ Yesd in the health certificate: ・The animals must be identified by a microchip or other ways. ・The animals have shown no clinical sings of rabies(and leptospirosis only for dog) ・The facility must be designated as an… verified 2026-06-19 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ Yes4 Immunization against diseases other than rabies Q: Are vaccinations and certificates of immunization against any diseases other than rabies required? A: An animal will not be denied importation or given a longer… verified 2026-07-20 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ Yes4 Immunization against diseases other than rabies Q: Are vaccinations and certificates of immunization against any diseases other than rabies required? verified 2026-07-20 Rabies vaccination · Approved vaccines list Inactivated (killed) virus vaccine or recombinant vaccine; Live virus vaccine is not accepted Kind of vaccine: Rabies vaccination → inactivated (killed) virus vaccine or recombinant vaccine verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 180 days about rabies antibody test is here Step 4 Waiting period (180 days or more) Dogs and cats are required to arrive in Japan after 180 days have passed from the date of… verified 2026-07-05 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 12 weeks In some countries, first rabies vaccination can be given at 12 weeks old (84 days - 90 days old) or older, but in Japanese regulation, vaccinated under 91 days old is invalid verified 2026-07-20 Tapeworm treatment · Required ✗ NoAn animal will not be denied importation or given a longer quarantine period on the grounds that it has not been immunized against a disease other than rabies. verified 2026-07-20 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedould be performed in advance. F.A.Q. about detention quarantine inspection is here Designated airports and seaports where import of dogs is allowed Dogs can be imported only through the following ports. （Airport） New… verified 2026-07-20
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -180 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
Conditional requirements
These rules apply only to pets with a specific travel history. Most travelers can ignore them — but if one applies to you, skipping it can mean denied entry.
Pet arriving from a non-designated (non-rabies-free) region — If your pet has been in one of 124 higher-risk countries in the last 6 months:
Rabies titer (blood) test: FAVN test ≥ 0.5 IU/ml at MAFF-approved lab. Blood drawn ≥30 days after vaccination.Permit: Advance notification form (Form A) must be submitted to the Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days before arrival.Quarantine: 180-day wait from date of blood draw for titer test. If wait period is not completed before arrival, the pet is quarantined at the airport facility for the remaining days (at owner's expense).
Ports of entry
New Chitose airportNarita international airportHaneda airportChubu International airportKansai International airportOsaka Itami airportKobe airportKitakyusyu airportFukuoka airportKagoshima airportNaha airportverified 2026-07-20
Order matters here. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, not after. Implant the chip first, then vaccinate — a shot given before the chip does not count toward Japan's timeline. Book the microchip appointment as step one, confirm the number is readable, and only then schedule the rabies vaccine. Reversing that order restarts the clock and delays entry.
Advance notification is mandatory. Notify the Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry no less than 40 hours before arrival in Japan. Miss that window and the dog waits. Submit the notification online far ahead, pick the exact arrival port, and keep the confirmation ready to present. Late filing means the animal cannot clear on schedule at that port.
Frequently asked
Does my pet need a microchip for Japan? Yes. Japan requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid. How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for Japan? The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 180 days before entry, and can be given from 12 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border. Does Japan require a rabies antibody (titer) test? Only for pets arriving from a country not on the EU's listed (Annex II) countries. Those pets need a rabies antibody titer test from an approved lab. Pets from EU or listed countries do not. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
The import permit carries a 40-day lead time. File the advance notification at least 40 days before the arrival date, using the online system for the chosen port of entry. Start this step before locking flights. Filing inside 40 days blocks a clean clearance, so count backward from the travel date and submit early to hold the timeline.
Japan rewards travelers who prep like athletes — early, deliberate, no shortcuts. Sam timed our customs window down to the minute, and it paid off at the port. Don't wing this one. Build your personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder, drop in your dates and route, and let it map every deadline for your actual trip. Get the plan sorted, then go chase those trails.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
