Middle East and Asia
Pet travel to Tokyo
MAFF bilateral customs compliance and full clearance protocol.
Clearance & Entry
What's required to enter.
- 1
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
- 2
Two rabies vaccinations after microchipping, at least 30 days apart
- 3
OIE-FAVN rabies antibody titer test — minimum 180-day wait after a passing result
- 4
External parasite treatment within 24 hours of travel
- 5
MAFF advance notification filed minimum 40 days prior
These are the official entry rules for Japan.
Read our step-by-step compliance guide covering every document, timing window, and government contact for Japan.Quarantine required on arrival.
Japan is rabies-free and enforces mandatory quarantine (minimum 12 hours to 180 days depending on documentation). Perfect preparation can reduce quarantine to 12 hours. We begin the process 7–8 months in advance.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Tokyo.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Tokyo.
Permit Filing
Our team files all import permits and advance notifications on your behalf, tracking approval status in real time.
Veterinary Coordination
We work with your vet or our partner clinics to issue compliant health certificates timed precisely to departure.
Airport Concierge
A dedicated chaperone manages customs inspection, APHIS or border authority clearance, and handover at destination.
Local Logistics
Getting your pet into Tokyo.
Narita (NRT) is the primary MAFF-approved port of entry for live animals. A minimum 12-hour quarantine inspection applies regardless of documentation status — perfect preparation reduces this to 12 hours rather than the default 180 days. We manage the MAFF advance notification filed 40+ days prior and coordinate the quarantine inspection handover at NRT.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
180–240 days
Ready to travel to Tokyo?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Tokyo.
Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo by IHG
Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo by IHG is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed in designated rooms for no additional fee. Cats are also welcome. Please
2-Bedroom House Near Kagurazaka Station
This 2-bedroom house in Tokyo is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Tokyo.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Tokyo. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Tokyo with your pet.
One of the biggest anxieties of pet travel is local transit. Here's everything you need to know before you land.
Public Transit
All Tokyo metro lines permit dogs in a fully enclosed carrier only — no exceptions. The carrier must be closed at all times and must not rest on seats. This is strictly enforced.
Private Cars
We arrange pre-screened private hire from NRT or HND direct to your hotel — critical for a smooth 12-hour quarantine clearance handover. All vehicles pet-confirmed.
On Foot
Tokyo's pedestrian network is exceptional. We provide neighbourhood-level maps for Yanaka, Daikanyama, and Aoyama — the districts where dogs and cafés coexist most gracefully.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Tokyo, with your dog.
Yoyogi Park dog run
Off-leash dog run in the back of Yoyogi Park divided into two secitions for large and small dogs.
2-1-1 Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo, Tokyo, JP
Aqua City Odaiba
Aqua City Odaiba is a modern, dog-friendly waterfront mall in Minato City, Tokyo, JP. Fido is welcome to join you for shopping and dining but must
1 Chome-7-1 Daiba, Minato City, Tokyo, JP, 135-0091
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in Tokyo.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Tokyo. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
Chillax Garden Café Yoyogi
Harajuku
Dog-welcoming terrace café in Yoyogi Park adjacent green space; water bowls at every table.
Casual
Fuglen Tokyo
Tomigaya
Oslo-origin café with wide-open front terrace; dogs on leads welcome at outdoor tables.
Market
Tokyo Farmers Market
United Nations University
Saturday and Sunday market in the UNU courtyard — dogs uniformly welcomed.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Big Box
Kojima Pet Shibuya
Shibuya Hikarie 2F, 2-21-1 Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Largest selection of premium dry foods in central Tokyo; English-speaking staff available.
Premium Pet Boutique
Dog Dept Tokyo
5-7-12 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Curated Japanese and imported premium food brands; boutique accessories and apparel.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Japan Animal Referral Medical Center
Export Clinic
Azabu Animal Hospital
Boarding & Daycare
PET's CLUB Ebisu
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Tokyo.
We handle the flights, the veterinary compliance, and the door-to-door logistics. Tell us where you're starting from, and we'll calculate the route to Tokyo.
Travelling to
Pet type
No obligation · Concierge response within 24 hours
Paws en Route Concierge
Ready to turn this guide into a real trip?
Your Preparation Timeline
We build a personalised calendar for Tokyo: permits, vet appointments, and health certificates timed precisely to your departure window so nothing expires before you board.
Local Intelligence, Pre-loaded
Vetted stays, pet-safe transit routes, and emergency contacts, all curated for Tokyo and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Tokyo.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
