How long does it take to get a pet from the US to Japan?

The minimum timeline is 7 months from microchip and first rabies vaccination to entry, due to Japan's mandatory 180-day waiting period after the rabies titer test. Plan ahead—this is not a quick process.

Does my pet need quarantine in Japan?

Yes, Japan requires quarantine at an approved facility. With full pre-arrival documentation submitted 40+ days early, quarantine is reduced to as little as 12 hours; without it, expect up to 180 days at your expense.

Can my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel fly in the cabin to Japan?

Yes, Cavaliers are not brachycephalic-restricted. However, you must meet Japan's strict import requirements (microchip, rabies titer, health certificate, import permit) before booking any flight.

What's the most common mistake people make when traveling to Japan with pets?

Not starting the process early enough. The 180-day waiting period after the titer test is non-negotiable, and the import permit requires 40 days' advance notice. Many people discover these timelines too late.

Which US airports can I depart from to fly my pet to Japan?

Any major US airport with international service can be your departure point. However, you must arrive at one of four Japanese airports with Animal Quarantine Service facilities: Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Kansai, or Nagoya Chubu.

US to Japan Pet Travel: Complete Checklist & Requirements

Traveling with Your Pet from the United States to Japan: The Complete Guide

When I decided to bring Pixel, my 7 kg Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, to Japan for a year-long assignment, I quickly learned that pet travel to this country is not a casual undertaking. Japan is officially rabies-free, and that status comes with some of the world's strictest import requirements. Over the past few months, I've watched clients' paperwork get rejected at my clinic because they didn't understand the sequence of steps or the 180-day waiting period. Here's what you need to know—and when to start.

The Timeline: Start Now, Travel Later

The most common mistake I see is underestimating how long this process takes. From microchip insertion to landing in Japan, plan for a minimum of 7 months. Here's the sequence:

Month 1: Microchip insertion (must precede any rabies vaccination)
Month 1: First rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel)
Month 2: Second rabies vaccination/booster (at least 30 days after first)
Month 2: Rabies titer test at approved lab (at least 30 days after second vaccination)
Months 3–7: 180-day mandatory waiting period after titer test
Month 7: Health certificate (valid for 10 days before travel)
Month 7: Book your flight and arrive at an approved Japanese airport

I tell my clients: if you're thinking about this move, start the paperwork today. There is no shortcut.

Step 1: Microchip (Before Everything Else)

Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip inserted before the first rabies vaccination. This is non-negotiable in Japan. If your pet already has a non-ISO microchip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner—but here's what I tell my clients: just get the ISO chip. It's the global standard, it costs $25–50, and it eliminates complications.

For Pixel, I had her microchipped at my clinic during a routine visit. The vet recorded the number, and I verified it was readable before proceeding to vaccination.

Step 2: Rabies Vaccination (Two Doses Required)

Japan requires two rabies vaccinations:

First vaccination: Pet must be at least 13 weeks old (91 days)
Second vaccination: At least 30 days after the first
Booster interval: At least 1 month between doses

Both vaccinations must be documented by a licensed veterinarian. The vaccine itself must be current at the time of travel (within 12 months of the last dose).

Step 3: Rabies Titer Test (The Critical Requirement)

This is where Japan differs from most countries. Because Japan is rabies-free, it requires proof that your pet's rabies antibodies are adequate. You must have a blood test performed at an OIE-approved laboratory.

Approved labs for this route include:

APHA Weybridge (UK)
Kansas State University (USA)
Anses Nancy (France)

Titer test requirements:

Minimum antibody level: 0.5 IU/mL
Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the second rabies vaccination
Test must be performed at an approved laboratory (not your local vet clinic)
Results are valid for the 180-day waiting period that follows

Here's what I tell my clients: contact the approved lab directly before drawing blood. They'll send you a kit, your vet will draw the sample, and you'll ship it to the lab. This takes 2–4 weeks for results. Don't rush this step—if the titer is below 0.5 IU/mL, you'll need to revaccinate and start over.

Step 4: The 180-Day Waiting Period

After your pet's titer test comes back satisfactory, Japan requires a mandatory 180-day waiting period. This clock starts from the date the blood was drawn, not the date you received results. You cannot enter Japan before this period expires.

This is the single biggest reason people delay their travel plans. Plan your move date around this deadline, not the other way around.

Step 5: Import Permit (Form A Notification)

You must submit a Notice of Importation (Form A) to the Japan Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days before your arrival date. This is a formal advance notification, not a casual email.

What you'll need to submit:

Your pet's microchip number
Rabies vaccination dates and certificate numbers
Titer test results (showing ≥0.5 IU/mL)
Your intended port of entry
Your arrival date

Contact the Animal Quarantine Service office at your intended port of entry (see below) to obtain the correct form and submission process. Lead time: 40 days minimum.

Step 6: Health Certificate (Issued by Your Vet, Endorsed by USDA)

Your veterinarian must issue an official health certificate stating your pet is healthy and fit to travel. The certificate must be:

Issued by a licensed veterinarian
Endorsed by the USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)
Valid within 10 days of your travel date
An original document (not a copy)

The USDA endorsement is a separate step. Your vet issues the certificate, then you take it to a USDA APHIS office (or mail it) for official endorsement. This takes 3–7 business days. Don't wait until the last minute.

Step 7: Quarantine Upon Arrival

Japan requires quarantine at an approved facility, but the duration depends on your paperwork:

Fully compliant (all documents submitted 40+ days early): As little as 12 hours
Partially compliant or missing documents: Up to 180 days at your expense

Quarantine is conducted at the airport's Animal Quarantine Service facility. Your pet will be held in a cage, fed, and monitored. If you've done everything correctly and submitted Form A on time, this is a brief formality. If not, it's an expensive and stressful ordeal.

Approved Ports of Entry

You must arrive at one of these four airports with Animal Quarantine Service inspection facilities:

Tokyo Narita (NRT)
Tokyo Haneda (HND)
Osaka Kansai (KIX)
Nagoya Chubu (NGO)

Plan your flight routing accordingly. You cannot land at a smaller regional airport and clear quarantine there.

Airline Options: Cabin vs. Cargo

Several carriers serve the US-Japan route. Here's what matters for your pet:

Airline	Cabin	Cargo	Brachycephalic OK	Weight Limit	Fee
American Airlines	Yes	Yes	No	9.07 kg	$150
Delta Air Lines	Yes	Yes	No	8.0 kg	$125
United Airlines	Yes	No	No	8.0 kg	$150
British Airways	No	Yes	No	8.0 kg	N/A
Air France	Yes	Yes	No	8.0 kg	€75

Pixel weighs 7 kg, so she qualifies for cabin travel on all carriers that allow it. I chose American Airlines because the 9.07 kg limit gave me a small safety margin, and I wanted her with me during the long flight. The $150 fee was worth the peace of mind.

Important note: All carriers ban brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persians. If you have a brachycephalic pet, cargo is your only option—and it's stressful for the animal. See our brachycephalic breed guide for alternatives.

Breed Restrictions in Japan

Japan has no breed restrictions for dogs or cats. Any breed is allowed, provided all import requirements are met. This is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise demanding process.

Health Certificate & Vaccination Records Checklist

Before you board your flight, ensure you have originals of:

Microchip certificate (with 15-digit ISO number)
Rabies vaccination certificates (both doses)
Rabies titer test results (≥0.5 IU/mL from approved lab)
Health certificate (issued by vet, endorsed by USDA APHIS)
Import permit confirmation (Form A submission receipt)
Airline pet booking confirmation

Keep these in a folder with copies. Customs and quarantine officials will want to see them. I laminated Pixel's documents and kept them in my carry-on—I was not taking chances.

What I Tell My Clients

The most common mistake I see is: People assume their pet's existing rabies vaccination is enough. It's not. Japan requires two vaccinations, a titer test, and a 180-day waiting period. If you're moving to Japan and your pet only has one rabies shot, you're starting from scratch.

Here's what I tell my clients: Contact the Japan Animal Quarantine Service office at your intended port of entry immediately. Get the Form A application. Work backward from your desired travel date, subtract 180 days, and that's when you need to have the titer test completed. Then work backward from there to schedule the vaccinations. This is a 7-month project, not a 7-week project.

For more details on documentation, see our documents checklist and our guide on flying with a dog.

Final Thoughts

Traveling with Pixel to Japan was one of the most complex logistics I've ever managed—and I'm a veterinarian. But it was worth it. She's now thriving in Tokyo, and I'm grateful I started the process early and didn't cut corners.

If you're planning this move, start now. Get the microchip, schedule the vaccinations, contact the approved lab, and submit Form A 40 days before your intended arrival. Japan is strict, but it's not impossible. You just have to respect the timeline.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to track your pet's progress through each step.

Data verified from official sources including the Japan Animal Quarantine Service (MAFF), USDA APHIS, and major airline pet policies. Information is auto-updated as policies change. Always confirm requirements with your veterinarian and the destination country's quarantine authority before booking travel.