Japan Pet Import 2027: Dogs & Cats Quarantine, Vaccination & Timeline

Japan has one of the strictest pet import regimes in the world — the full protocol takes 180 days of advance work before your dog or cat can clear quarantine on arrival. Miss any step and you face up to 180 days of airport quarantine. Only 6 territories qualify for the simplified route (Iceland, Australia, NZ, Fiji, Hawaii, Guam). This 2027 guide walks the full protocol: microchip, 2 rabies vaccines, titer test, AQS notification, 180-day wait, and arrival clearance.

Quick facts: Pet import Japan 2027

⏰ START 7 MONTHS BEFORE travel. The 180-day wait begins the DAY the titer blood is drawn, not when you booked anything.

The 180-day protocol — step by step

• ●Step 1 (Day -220): Microchip — ISO 15-digit; implant BEFORE first rabies vaccine or vaccine won't count
• ●Step 2 (Day -210): First rabies vaccine — inactivated or recombinant only; LIVE vaccines rejected
• ●Step 3 (Day -180): Second rabies vaccine — 30+ days after first
• ●Step 4 (Day -180 to -1): Rabies titer test — blood drawn at vet, shipped to MAFF-approved lab (Kansas State USA, or EU/UK approved); wait 180 days FROM BLOOD DRAW DATE
• ●Step 5 (Day -40): Notify AQS — email [email protected] with pet details, flight, arrival port
• ●Step 6 (Day -7): Clinical exam — vet confirms pet healthy, no parasites, fit to fly
• ●Step 7 (Day -2): Final government endorsement — USDA/APHIS or home country equivalent
• ●Step 8 (Arrival): AQS inspection — ~12 hours clearance if compliant

Simplified route — 6 territories only

• ●Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Guam — pet must have lived there 180+ days
• ●No rabies titer required (these are rabies-free zones)
• ●Microchip + current rabies vaccine still needed
• ●AQS notification still 40 days ahead
• ●Full-route countries (US mainland, EU, UK, Canada, etc.) = 180-day wait required

Costs breakdown

Pet-friendly hotels + cafes

• ●Hotel Metropolitan Edmont [Tokyo](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Tokyo&aid=8095781&label=auto-tokyo-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) — pet rooms with floor mats + bowls
• ●[Kanazawa](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Kanazawa&aid=8095781&label=auto-kanazawa-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) Hyakurakuso (ryokan) — pet-friendly tatami rooms, outdoor runs
• ●Dog Deli Cafe (Harajuku) — pet menu + puppychino
• ●Deus Ex Machina Harajuku — large terrace, pets welcome
• ●Yoyogi Park dog run — fenced, free; peak Saturday mornings
• ●Komazawa Olympic Park — massive dog park 20 min from Shibuya
• ●Odaiba Seaside Park — on-leash welcome; beach access

Vet + emergency care

• ●Japan Animal Trust Hospital (Setagaya) — English-speaking; 24h emergency
• ●AnimalCare Clinic Hiroo — English service; central Tokyo
• ●[Osaka](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Osaka&aid=8095781&label=auto-osaka-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) Pet Emergency Center — 24h, English available
• ●Pet food: Royal Canin, Hills, Blue Buffalo widely available
• ●Prescription meds: bring 60-day supply + vet letter; refills difficult
• ●Pet insurance: Anicom + ipet accept short-term visitors

Bookable experiences — with pets

• ●Pet-friendly Mt Fuji day [tour](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) — private van, no public transit (¥48,000)
• ●Dog-welcome ryokan [Hakone](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Hakone&aid=8095781&label=auto-hakone-autolink&nflt=review_score%3D80&order=popularity) — Hyakurakuso + 1-night onsen (¥38,000)
• ●Yoyogi + Shibuya dog-walking [tour](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan) — English-speaking local (¥9,000)
• ●Pet taxi — Narita/Haneda to Tokyo (¥25,000-35,000)

FAQ

• ●Can I fly cabin with my pet in Japan? JAL/ANA domestic yes under 7kg; international varies by airline.
• ●Service dogs — different rules? Yes, ADA-certified service dogs get expedited quarantine with proper docs.
• ●What if titer <0.5 IU/ml? Must re-vaccinate + re-draw; 180-day clock restarts.
• ●Can I bring rabbits/hamsters/birds? Yes but species-specific rules; birds need avian flu docs.
• ●Breed restrictions? None at import; some apartment buildings restrict breeds locally.
• ●Can I rent a car with a pet? Yes, most rental agencies allow pets with cleaning fee.
• ●Shinkansen pets? Yes, in soft carrier under 10kg including bag; ¥290 pet ticket.
• ●What if I'm moving permanently vs [tour](https://www.klook.com/en-US/search/?query=Japan&tp_sub=japan)ing? Same import rules; residence card doesn't affect pet process.
• ●Can I leave my pet at a Japanese pet hotel? Yes, must show rabies cert; ~¥5,000-10,000/night.
• ●Does Hawaii-rabies-free short-stay also work from mainland US? No, must have lived in Hawaii 180+ days.