Flying to Japan With Your Dog: Complete 2026 Rules

Japan is one of the world’s most desirable travel destinations — and one of the most challenging countries to bring your dog to. Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) operate one of the most stringent pet import systems in the world, designed to protect Japan’s rabies-free status (Japan has been rabies-free since 1957). Get the process wrong, and your dog will face a mandatory quarantine of up to 180 days at an Animal Quarantine Station — at your expense. Get it exactly right, and quarantine is reduced to a minimum of 12 hours. This guide tells you exactly how to get it right.

Key Takeaway: Japan dog import compliance is not difficult, but it is time-sensitive and sequential. The full process takes a minimum of 180 days from start to finish for dogs being imported from the U.S. for the first time. Skipping or mis-timing any step adds quarantine time.

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Understanding Japan’s Rabies-Free Status

Japan has maintained a rabies-free status for dogs since the 1950s through aggressive national vaccination campaigns and strict import controls. This status is economically and socially significant — Japanese law treats unauthorized pet imports as a serious matter, and the Animal Quarantine Service has authority to quarantine or even mandate euthanasia of animals that arrive without proper documentation.

This is not bureaucracy for its own sake. Japan’s rabies-free status protects both the country’s human and animal populations, and the import requirements reflect the genuine scientific rigor needed to maintain it. Understanding this context makes the process easier to approach — each step exists for a specific epidemiological reason.

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The Full 180-Day Process: Step by Step

The following process applies to dogs entering Japan from the United States, which Japan classifies as a “designated region” (a country with recognized disease control standards). Dogs from non-designated regions face even stricter requirements.

Step 1: Implant an ISO Microchip (Day 1)

The first step — and the step that starts the 180-day clock — is implanting an ISO 15-digit microchip. The microchip must comply with ISO standard 11784 or 11785 (15-digit chips beginning with “985” or “900” for most U.S.-implanted chips are typically compliant).

Critical requirement: The microchip must be implanted BEFORE the first rabies vaccination for Japan compliance purposes. If your dog was vaccinated before chipping, the vaccination does not count for Japan import — you will need to revaccinate after a compliant chip is confirmed.

What to do:

• Schedule a veterinary appointment specifically to verify your dog’s microchip (if already chipped) or implant a compliant chip
• Ask your vet to confirm the chip reads as a 15-digit ISO number
• Document the microchip number on all subsequent paperwork — this number must match exactly on every document

Step 2: Primary Rabies Vaccination (Day 1 or After Chipping)

After microchip confirmation, your dog receives the first rabies vaccination for Japan compliance. The vaccine must be:

• An inactivated (killed) vaccine
• Administered by a licensed veterinarian
• Documented with vaccine product name, manufacturer, serial number, and expiration date

If your dog has existing rabies vaccinations, they count only if they were administered after a compliant ISO microchip was in place and the chip number was recorded on the vaccination certificate.

Step 3: Second Rabies Vaccination (Day 30+)

Japan requires two rabies vaccinations with the second given no sooner than 30 days after the first. The same documentation requirements apply.

Pro Tip: Start building a dedicated Japan import folder — physical and digital — from Day 1. Include every vet receipt, vaccination certificate, test result, and correspondence with MAFF. The final health certificate that goes to Japan will reference this entire documentation chain, and gaps or inconsistencies cause significant problems.

Step 4: Rabies Antibody Titer Test (Day 30+ After Second Vaccination)

This is the most critical and most commonly misunderstood step. At least 30 days after the second rabies vaccination, your dog must have a blood sample drawn and tested at a MAFF-approved laboratory for neutralizing antibody levels against rabies.

Required result: The serum must show a neutralizing antibody level of ≥0.5 IU/mL. This is the international standard established by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE).

Approved laboratories in the U.S.:

• Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory (Manhattan, KS)
• Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
• Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)

The blood sample must be shipped to the laboratory frozen. Your vet will draw the blood, and you (or your vet) will ship it to the approved lab with specific documentation. Results typically take 2–4 weeks.

If the test fails: If your dog’s antibody level is below 0.5 IU/mL, you will need to revaccinate and retest. This adds significant time to the process.

Step 5: 180-Day Waiting Period

After a passing titer test result, you must wait a minimum of 180 days before entry into Japan. This 180-day period begins from the date of the blood sample draw (not the date results were received).

This is the longest single requirement and is why the full process takes approximately 7-8 months from start to finish for most U.S. dogs.

During this 180-day period:

• Keep your dog’s rabies vaccination current (do not allow it to lapse)
• Maintain documentation of any booster vaccinations
• Ensure no lapse in microchip readability

Step 6: Apply for MAFF Pre-Authorization (Day 40+ of Waiting Period)

While waiting out the 180-day period, you should initiate contact with Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service. Submit a notification of import at least 40 days before arrival:

• Download the import notification form from the MAFF website (www.maff.go.jp)
• Complete the form in Japanese and English
• Submit to the Animal Quarantine Station at your intended entry airport
• AQS will confirm receipt and may request additional information

Failure to submit this advance notification can result in extended quarantine regardless of documentation compliance.

Step 7: Obtain USDA-Endorsed Health Certificate (10 Days Before Travel)

Within 10 days of your departure date, visit a USDA-accredited veterinarian for a final health examination. The vet will complete a health certificate confirming:

• Your dog is in good health and free of infectious disease
• All vaccination history (referencing specific records)
• Titer test results (including laboratory name, date, and result value)
• Microchip number

This certificate must then be endorsed by USDA APHIS. You can use USDA’s Veterinary Export Health Certificates (VEHCS) online system for expedited processing, or mail the certificate to your regional USDA APHIS Veterinary Services office.

Allow at least 5 business days for USDA endorsement — do not leave this until the last minute.

Vet Tip: Use a single USDA-accredited veterinarian for as much of the Japan import process as possible. Continuity of records and familiarity with Japan’s specific requirements reduces errors. Ask explicitly whether the vet has completed Japan import health certificates before — this is a highly specific skill not all vets have.

Step 8: Arrival in Japan and Quarantine Inspection

Upon arrival in Japan, proceed directly to the Animal Quarantine Station at your arrival airport (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu Centrair). Do not exit immigration with your dog — go to the AQS inspection counter with all original documents.

AQS will review:

• Original health certificate with USDA endorsement
• All vaccination records (original, not copies)
• Titer test results
• Your advance import notification

If all documents are in order, your dog will undergo a quarantine inspection period of a minimum of 12 hours. During this time, your dog is held at the AQS facility on airport property while documents are verified and the dog is observed. This is typically a comfortable, monitored facility — not a kennel.

After the 12-hour minimum, AQS will release your dog to you. If any documentation issues are found, quarantine is extended and fees accumulate rapidly.

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Airlines That Fly Pets to Japan

Flying pets to Japan requires careful airline selection, as Japan’s AQS has specific requirements for how animals are transported.

Airline	Pet in Cabin	Cargo Option	Notes
Japan Airlines (JAL)	Small pets only	Yes	Recognized AQS carrier
ANA	Small pets only	Yes	Recognized AQS carrier
United Airlines	In cargo only	Yes	Accepts dogs in climate-controlled cargo
Delta	In cargo only	Yes	Delta Cargo has robust live animal program
American Airlines	Suspended cargo pet program	Limited	Verify current policy before booking
Korean Air	In cargo	Yes	Seoul (Incheon) transit option

For large dogs, cargo transport is typically the only option on commercial airlines. BARK Air does not currently operate Japan routes. Private charter is an option for those with unlimited budgets.

Important: Brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, etc.) face additional restrictions or outright bans on most airlines for cargo transport. Japan Airlines and ANA have published lists of restricted breeds.

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Cost Breakdown for Japan Dog Import

The full compliance process involves real costs:

Item	Estimated Cost
ISO microchip implant	$25–$50
First rabies vaccination	$20–$40
Second rabies vaccination	$20–$40
Titer test blood draw (vet fee)	$50–$100
FAVN titer test (laboratory fee)	$150–$200
Health certificate (vet fee)	$100–$200
USDA APHIS endorsement	$38 per certificate
Airline cargo fee (one way)	$200–$600+
AQS quarantine inspection fee	$50–$150 USD equivalent
Total (first import)	$700–$1,500

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Japan Once You Arrive: Is It Worth It?

Despite the process complexity, Japan is a rewarding destination for dog owners once you arrive. Japanese dog culture, particularly in Tokyo, has become sophisticated and welcoming:

Tokyo Dog-Friendly Highlights:

• Yoyogi Park: One of the most dog-welcoming parks in Asia, with an off-leash area on certain days and a regular “dog meeting” culture
• Omotesando Hills: Several cafes and outdoor areas in Tokyo’s upscale shopping district accept leashed dogs
• Dog cafes: Japan is famous for cat cafes, but there are numerous dog cafes in Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku where visiting dogs are welcomed
• Pet-friendly accommodation: A growing number of Japanese hotels accept dogs, and several dog-specific hotels have opened in Tokyo and Kyoto

Kyoto and Beyond:

• Arashiyama bamboo grove area has a dog-friendly atmosphere
• Several traditional ryokan (Japanese inns) now accept small dogs — book specifically “pet-friendly ryokan” to ensure proper accommodation

The combination of Japan’s safety, walkability, culinary culture, and natural beauty makes it genuinely worth the import process for dedicated dog travelers.

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Summary Timeline for U.S. Dogs Traveling to Japan

Timeline	Action
Day 1	Microchip confirmed/implanted
Day 1	First rabies vaccination
Day 31	Second rabies vaccination
Day 61	Blood drawn for FAVN titer test
Day 61–90	Wait for titer test results (lab processing time)
Day 61	180-day waiting period begins
Days 100–200	Submit MAFF advance notification (at least 40 days before travel)
Day 240	180-day waiting period ends
10 days before travel	Health certificate from vet + USDA endorsement
Arrival day	AQS inspection, minimum 12-hour quarantine

For other international pet travel requirements, compare with our guide to traveling to Mexico with your dog, which illustrates how dramatically requirements vary between countries. For the complete international travel paperwork process, see our pet passport international travel guide.

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Last updated: February 2026. Japan Animal Quarantine Service requirements should be verified directly at www.maff.go.jp/aqs prior to making any travel arrangements. Requirements are subject to change.