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Bringing your pet to Japan
Two rabies shots, a blood test at a designated lab and a 180-day wait after the blood draw. Notify Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days ahead. Plan about 7 months.
Time you needAbout 7 months — the first deadline is 212 days before you fly
Easy to get wrong on this route
- Counting the 180 days from the vaccine — Japan’s clock starts at the blood draw.
- Notifying Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service less than 40 days before arrival — late notices are not accepted in principle.
- A microchip starting with 900 202 — Japan doesn’t accept it for now.
Your Japan plan, dated to the day
Every deadline worked out for your travel date, calendar reminders and a travel-day checklist.
Build my plan — free preview$19 to unlock the PDF · 14-day money-back promiseDifficultyVery hard
QuarantineUp to 180 days (or sent back) if rules are missed
Rabies blood testRequired: ≥ 0.5 IU/ml, then 180-day wait
PermitAdvance notification ≥ 40 days before arrival
Rules checked Oct 28, 2026 against official sources · Dogs & cats · Free route check for your date →
Flying from somewhere else?From the UK →From the EU →
Step by step
- At least 212 days (~7 months) beforeISO microchip + rabies vaccine #1
Microchip first, then rabies shot #1 (pet at least 91 days old; inactivated or recombinant vaccine). - At least 182 days (~6 months) beforeRabies vaccine #2
At least 30 days after #1, while #1 is still valid.
🔒 3 more steps in your personal plan
The rest of the route to Japan, with every deadline worked out for your travel date, calendar reminders and a travel-day document checklist. Free preview · $19 to unlock
Build my planThe rest of the route to Japan, with every deadline worked out for your travel date, calendar reminders and a travel-day document checklist. Free preview · $19 to unlock
Watch out
- The 180-day clock only starts at the blood draw.
- Missing anything: quarantine for up to 180 days or the pet is sent back.
- Dogs may only arrive at 19 designated ports — including Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose, Fukuoka and Naha airports. Cats arriving elsewhere: contact the Animal Quarantine Service first.
- + 1 more warning for this route in your personal plan
Official sources: www.maff.go.jp. Not legal or veterinary advice — confirm with your vet, your airline and the destination's authority.
Related guides
Personal plan · $19 one-time
Every date for Japan, worked out
Enter your travel date and get your pet's full plan: every deadline dated, a PDF to print, calendar reminders before each one and a travel-day checklist. See the free preview before you pay.
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