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What this article will tell you
- It depends on whether the place of departure is a "designated area" or "outside a designated area"Differences in Procedures
- Points to note when entering the country from designated regions (such as Hawaii and Guam) are as follows:The Complete Guide to Traveling to Hawaii with Your Doginterpoint (interword separation)The Complete Guide to Traveling to Guam with Your DogWe explain this in more detail here
- How to Proceed with Microchipping and Rabies VaccinationsThe Complete Guide to Microchipsinterpoint (interword separation)Basic Information on Rabies VaccinationsPlease see also
- Preparations with a view to returning to Japan in the futureComplete Guide to Returning to Japan with Your PetThis is explained in detail there
Why are animal quarantine procedures necessary?
The reason animal quarantine procedures are so strict is that,rabiesThis is to protect people and animals from this infectious disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies is an infectious disease from which there is almost no chance of survival once symptoms appear, and an estimated 59,000 people die from it worldwide each year (Source: WHO Rabies Fact Sheet(Updated June 2024; verified July 2026). The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also explains that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear and that there is no effective treatment (Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare(Verified in July 2026).
Japan is one of the few countries where rabies does not occur. That is why the Animal Quarantine Service carefully checks the documentation and conditions for dogs and cats brought in from overseas, and in some cases, animals may be denied entry if there are any discrepancies in the information provided. Understanding that this process is designed to protect pets from dangerous diseases and to safeguard the safety of both people and animals within Japan will help you see the importance of being prepared.
Is your place of departure a "designated area" or "non-designated area"?
Animal quarantine procedures vary significantly depending on whether your country or region of origin (the country or region where you were living immediately prior to your trip) is a “designated area” or “non-designated area.” First, check which category applies to you.
| root | Applicable countries/regions | feature |
|---|---|---|
| Route A: Designated Areas | Six regions: Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, and Guam | Rabies antibody testing and the 180-day waiting period are not required. However, proof of residency is strictly enforced. |
| Route B: Outside the Designated Area | Countries and regions other than the six listed above (the continental United States, Europe, countries in Asia, Central and South America, the Middle East, and Africa, etc.). Depending on the country or region, procedures may be temporarily suspended due to specific circumstances, so please check the official website of the Animal Quarantine Service for the latest admission status at your point of departure. | Microchip implantation, two rabies vaccinations, an antibody titer test, and a waiting period of at least 180 days are required. |
Source: Animal Quarantine Station “Designated Area”interpoint (interword separation)Animal Quarantine Service: "Bringing Dogs and Cats into the Country (Excluding Designated Areas)", Verified in July 2026.
Why "It's Easy Because It's a Designated Area" Isn't True
I would like to note here,Just because it's Route A doesn't mean the process is simple.That is the key point. While the time-consuming procedures of antibody titer testing and the 180-day waiting period are no longer required, strict criteria must be met to prove that the animal “was raised exclusively in designated areas.”
Residency Requirements That Must Be Met for Designated Area Routes (Any One of the Following)
- They have been raised exclusively in that designated area since birth.
- Before being exported to Japan,More than 180 daysThe animals are raised exclusively in the designated area and continuously.
- From the time of departure from Japan until the time of return to Japan, the animal has been kept exclusively in that designated area (with no record of having stayed in any other area).
Source: Animal Quarantine Service: “Importing Dogs and Cats (Designated Regions)”, Verified in July 2026.
For example, a scenario such as “traveling from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii for a stay of only one month, and then proceeding to Japan from there” does not meet any of the residency requirements listed above and therefore does not qualify for the Designated Area Route. However, this does not mean you will be denied entry altogether; upon arrival in Japan, your pet will undergo a quarantine inspection at an Animal Quarantine Service facility for the number of days remaining until the 180-day period is met, minus the number of days it was kept in the designated region. Since the interpretation of the residency requirements is prone to misunderstanding, if you have any questions at all, be sure to check with the Animal Quarantine Service before your trip.
Even on designated regional routes, upon arrival in Japan,Up to 40 days in advanceAdvance notification is required. The certificate must include the animal’s identification information, microchip number, and confirmation that the animal meets the required living conditions. The certificate must be issued by a government agency in the exporting country (for example, when traveling from the United States,USDA = U.S. Department of Agriculture) issued or endorsed by the relevant authority. Since the format of the certificate varies by country, and given that incomplete information on the certificate could result in you being detained at the airport, be sure to carefully review the details in advance. Please note that the residency requirement here refers to your actual history of keeping the animal at a specific location and is separate from whether your return flight involves a layover in another region. For details, including how layovers are handled, please check with the Animal Quarantine Station in advance.
For more detailed information on travel from Hawaii and Guam, please see the respective articles.
A complete guide to traveling with your dog to Hawaii!
A complete guide to traveling to Guam with your dog｜Thorough explanations of everything from procedures to sightseeing!
[Route B] Procedure Flow for Entering the Country from Areas Other Than Designated Regions
Entry from the continental United States, Europe, and various Asian countries falls under Route B. The necessary procedures, listed in order, are as follows:
Attachment of microchip
Microchips that comply with international standards (ISO 11784 and 11785) are,As a general rule, before the rabies vaccinationPlease have the vaccine administered. If the order of vaccination is incorrect, previously administered vaccines may not be accepted as meeting entry requirements. Therefore, please inform your veterinarian that the vaccine is “required for animal quarantine purposes” and check the official Animal Quarantine Service website for the latest requirements, including any exceptions (Source: Animal Quarantine Service: "Bringing Dogs and Cats into the Country (Excluding Designated Areas)"(Verified in July 2026).
Rabies Vaccination (1st Dose)
After microchipping,After 91 days of ageHave your pet vaccinated. Be sure to check on the spot that the certificate accurately lists the microchip number, the pet’s identification information, the veterinarian’s signature, and the date.
Rabies Vaccination (2nd Dose)
Counting the date of the first dose as Day 0,More than 30 daysAfter that, you'll receive your second dose. The certificate will stateInactivated vaccine or recombinant vaccineLet's make sure this is clearly stated. Live vaccines and RNA vaccines are not permitted.
Rabies antibody titer test
A blood sample will be taken after the second dose and tested at a testing facility designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The results are0.5 IU/ml or moreis required. Please check the official website of the Animal Quarantine Service in advance to confirm which testing facilities are eligible. ThisThe date of the blood draw is the starting date of the 180-day waiting period.and the test results will be available starting on the day the blood sample was drawn2 yearsIt is valid.
A waiting period of 180 days or more
From the day the blood sample was drawn until arrival in JapanMore than 180 daysA waiting period is required. If the number of days is insufficient, the animal will be subject to a quarantine inspection at the Animal Quarantine Station’s holding facility for the number of days that are missing. It is advisable to plan your schedule with plenty of leeway—for example, by counting the blood draw date as part of the waiting period—to ensure peace of mind.
Prior notification to Japan
On the day of arrival in JapanUp to 40 days in advanceYou must submit a prior notification to the Animal Quarantine Office with jurisdiction over Kukai Port, where the shipment is scheduled to arrive. As a general rule, notifications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted. Once accepted, a “Notification Acceptance Certificate” will be issued; since you may be asked to present this document when completing procedures in the exporting country or during the airline’s loading process, be sure to keep a printed copy or electronic file on hand.
Pre-Departure Medical Examination
You will undergo a health examination by a local veterinarian. Since the Animal Quarantine Service sets the requirements for the examination items and the timing of the examination, please check the official website in advance.
Obtain certification from the government agency of the exporting country
We have compiled the records to date and will provide them to the government agencies of the exporting countries (for travel from the United States,USDA = U.S. Department of Agriculture(etc.) to have the certificate issued or endorsed. The procedure varies by country; in some cases, a government veterinarian will issue the certificate directly, while in others, a government agency will endorse a certificate prepared by a veterinary clinic. Omissions or incomplete signatures can easily lead to delays, so be sure to carefully review the contents before submission. If a specific form is required, please check the official website of the Animal Quarantine Service for the latest information.
Import Inspection Upon Arrival in Japan
At the airport’s animal quarantine station, present the original documents and your pet. The quarantine officer will scan the microchip and verify it against the information on the documents. If there are no issues during the import inspection, you will be allowed to enter the country.
Source: Animal Quarantine Service: "Bringing Dogs and Cats into the Country (Excluding Designated Areas)", Verified in July 2026. For details on the microchip, seeThe Complete Guide to Microchips, For details on rabies vaccinations,Basic Information on Rabies VaccinationsPlease see this as well.
If you add up Steps 4 and 5, the 180-day waiting period following the antibody titer test alone amounts to more than half a year, and you’ll also need to factor in the time required for microchipping and two rounds of vaccinations. Since the time required for preparation varies depending on the veterinary clinic’s appointment availability, test results, and the destination country’s requirements, we recommend working backward from your travel date to create a specific schedule as early as possible, while referring to official information from the Animal Quarantine Service.
Please let us know your country of origin and your preferred departure date.
Let's go over the necessary procedures together, whether you're in a designated area or not.
First, please tell us about your current situation.
Things to Do Before Leaving the Country If You Might Return Home
If you are on a short-term assignment or studying abroad, and there is a possibility that you may return to Japan from a country or region other than the designated area in the future,Before leaving Japan, make sure to complete the rabies antibody titer test.We recommend this (if the country from which you are returning is designated as a specific region, a different procedure applies that does not require an antibody test or a 180-day waiting period).
If you travel without completing these procedures, you’ll have to start the process from scratch overseas once your return to Japan is finalized, and you’ll be required to wait at least 180 days from the date of your antibody titer test. This could lead to a situation where “even though you’ve received your assignment notice, you can’t return to Japan as scheduled because you didn’t complete the procedures for your pet in time.” Completing as many procedures as possible while you’re still in Japan will give you more options in the future.
Source: Animal Quarantine Service: "Bringing Dogs and Cats into the Country (Excluding Designated Areas)", Verified in July 2026.
The specific procedures for returning to Japan are explained in detail in the following article.
The Complete Guide to Returning to Japan with Your Pet: Experts Teach You the Key to Success
How much does it cost?
The costs associated with animal quarantine are broken down into several categories, ranging from microchip implantation to airfare, and the amounts vary depending on the veterinary clinic, testing facility, airline, and time of year. The main categories are as follows:
| Cost Categories | Main Factors Affecting the Amount |
|---|---|
| Attachment of microchip | Veterinary Clinics, Animal Size |
| Rabies vaccination (2 times) | Veterinary Clinics, Types of Vaccines |
| Rabies antibody titer test | Designated inspection agency |
| Issuance and Translation of Various Certificates | Issuing Authority, Number of Pages |
| Airline Pet Transportation Fees | Weight, including the airline, route, and crate |
| Costs in the Event of a Mooring Inspection | Number of Days Moored, Facilities |
A dock inspection may be required for up to 180 days if the requirements are not met (Source: Animal Quarantine Service: "Bringing Dogs and Cats into the Country (Excluding Designated Areas)"(Confirmed in July 2026), and costs increase depending on the number of days. Following the correct procedures will ultimately help you avoid the risks associated with boarding and keep unnecessary expenses to a minimum. Since specific cost estimates vary significantly depending on your point of departure, destination, and your pet’s circumstances, please feel free to contact us for more information.
3 Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing an Airline
When choosing an airline, there are three key points to pay special attention to: securing a seat, the conditions for checking in short-nosed breeds, and whether the animal will be transported in the passenger cabin or the cargo hold. Be sure to confirm these details well in advance, while you’re preparing your paperwork.
For more information on pet-friendly airlines, please see the article below.
Take Your Pet Around the World! Top 15 Pet Friendly Airlines Ranking
Common Mistakes
Some common pitfalls that people often encounter during the preparation process include misunderstandings about residency requirements and confusion regarding deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Summary: Three Key Points to Keep in Mind as You Move Forward with Your Preparations
Finally, I’ll summarize the key points of this article in three points.
- Plan with plenty of time to spare, depending on the route — Routes outside the designated areas require more time to prepare, including a 180-day waiting period. Even for routes within the designated areas, long-term care may be necessary depending on residency requirements, so in either case, starting the process early will give you peace of mind.
- Don't make your own judgment; check the official information. — Rules are subject to change without notice. When proceeding with the process, be sure toOfficial Website of the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS)Please check there for the latest information.
- If there's a possibility you might return to your home country, make preparations before leaving the country. — If there’s even the slightest chance you might return to Japan in the future, getting an antibody test done while you’re still in Japan will give you more options should the need arise.
Regarding safety measures for air travel itself,Guide to Safety Measures for Traveling by Air with PetsPlease see this as well.
🐾 Animal Quarantine Procedures: Start with a Free Consultation
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Written by: PetAirJPN Editorial Department (International Pet Transportation Operations Team)
*The information in this article is current as of July 2026. Quarantine regulations in various countries and airline policies are subject to change without notice. This article is intended to provide general information only; to determine whether travel is permitted in your specific case and to confirm the requirements, please be sure to check the latest official information from the Animal Quarantine Service, the relevant authorities in each country, and the airlines.
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