Pet Travel Expert

Moving to Japan with your pets?!

Japan is a wonderful place to live with pets, as its pet friendly resources are abundant and the ability to spoil your pets are second to none! Throughout our experiences in shipping dogs, cats, birds, etc to Japan - we have found it to be rather interesting in its geography, climate and overall reception of dogs and cats as members of society! Especially in Japan, a country that is known for being rather strict in its rules and regulations. The land of Shinkansen, Kimono, Samurai & Ninja and electronic advancements, Japan comprises of three thousand islands. Yes, 3,000 islands! The four main islands of Japan are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. It has the 10th largest population in the world and is an amazing place to visit especially with the hundreds of volcanoes that are spread over the 4 islands including the famous Mt. Fuji, pictured above.

Another interesting tidbit is that around 80% of Japan is covered in forests, mostly mountainous and hence is unsuitable for industrial or residential use! I guess this explains why its major cities Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kobe, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Kawasaki, Hiroshima, Saitama, Kitakyushu and Sendai are filled with people and busy life!



We have posted previous articles on moving and shipping your pets to Japan, you can view them here.

As a reminder, before you get to Japan with your pets - you will need to follow the import rules for entry into Japan.

The basic steps for importing accompanied pets are:

1. Implant a microchip for identification of the pet prior to vaccination for rabies.

2. Get two rabies shots within the effective interval. Age of the pet should be 90 days or greater at first vaccination, with second vaccination no more than 1 year before import.

3. Get a blood test after the second rabies shot.

4. Make advance notification of the pet importation to AQS no later than 40 days prior to arrival.

5. The pet must stay in the exporting country at least 180 days but no more than two years after the date of blood sampling.

6. Upon arrival, submit the following documents to AQS:
a. International Health certificate.
b. Two rabies vaccination certificates.
c. Advanced notification acknowledgement sent from AQS.
d. An Import Quarantine Application Form provided by AQS.

When importing pets as unaccompanied cargo, the steps include:

1. Submit the documentation the same as accompanied pets (cargo importation requires more time and expense).

2. The owner of the pet is not required to be present in order to apply for quarantine inspection. A proxy can make the application.

3. The Narita quarantine service charges a detention fee of approximately JPY 3,000 or more depending on size per day for all pets, which includes basic boarding, food and care for the pet.

4. Other costs may be incurred for transportation fees, kennel customs clearances, import tax and a proxy charge depending on the pet and other circumstances.

People wishing to import a pet into Japan should visit their website for detailed information. You may also contact the Animal Quarantine office at Narita at +81-476-32-6664; fax +81-476-30-3011.

Once you arrive in Tokyo, Japan with your dog - your next stop should be "Hana Mama" Dogs and Owners' Cafe! Everyone of the expats we move, rave to us about this place!

They are located at: 3-34-19 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0012 tel/fax 03-3941-6000 Hours: 10:00-19:00 every day.

The owner, Keiko Hakuzaki, says don't come if you don't like dogs! The decor is imitation garden, with a green rubber carpet, tables akin to the wooden park picnic and rattan styles complete with one umbrella. There are many potted flowers adding to the color scheme. Any sized dog is welcome. The menu includes hot and cold drinks, draft beer and a selection of wine (half bottles of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from Chili and red/white Bordeaux as well as a mini sparkling Italian). There are snacks, deserts and hot dishes (Grilled Ham & Cheese sandwich Y350, Hayashi rice and salad Y680, Yaki Onigiri with sweet miso Y300, etc.).

Finally the menu for dogs.

Raw chicken with Cabbage Y300 ׷
Handmade dog biscuits, nuts flavor Y50, coconuts flavor Y50, Cheese Parsley flavor Y25
Dry food 1 cup Y200

*No cats or snakes allowed.

Enjoy moving with your pets to Japan and rest assure the transportation of your pets to Japan is a smooth process!

Happy Pet Travels!