After Landing in Japan: A Complete Guide to Pet Quarantine Clearance at Narita, Haneda & Kansai Airports, and Post-Arrival Dog Registration (2026)

You've Finally Landed — Now What?

Months of preparation, a thick stack of documents, and one slightly anxious furry companion — you've made it to Japan.

But it's not over yet.

Before you collect your luggage and clear customs, you must first report to the airport's Animal Quarantine Service (動物検疫所, Dōbutsu Ken'ekisho) for an on-site document inspection. Do it right, and you're usually through in 30–60 minutes. Get something wrong, and you could be handed a notice for mandatory quarantine of up to 180 days.

This article walks you through every step after landing — from airport clearance to the administrative procedures for officially registering your pet in Japan.

Animal Quarantine Service Locations

Narita International Airport (NRT)

• Terminal 1 (T1) B1F: Japan Animal Quarantine Service, Narita Airport Branch
• Terminal 2 (T2): Quarantine counter in the Arrivals Lobby
• Operating hours: Daily 09:00–17:00 (confirm in advance — hours may change on public holidays)

⚠️ Important: If your flight arrives outside operating hours (e.g., late at night), your pet may be temporarily housed at the airport's animal holding facility and processed the following day. When booking flights, try to arrive during daytime hours.

Haneda International Airport (HND)

• International Terminal 1F, adjacent to the Arrivals Hall: Animal Quarantine Service, Haneda Airport Branch
• Operating hours: Daily 09:00–17:00

Kansai International Airport (KIX)

• International Terminal 1, 1F: Animal Quarantine Service, Kansai Airport Branch
• Operating hours: Daily 09:00–17:00

The Airport Clearance Process, Step by Step

Step 1: Notify Flight Attendants on the Plane

If your pet is travelling as checked cargo (AVIH), inform a flight attendant before the plane begins its descent that you have an animal requiring quarantine procedures. They can arrange priority baggage retrieval so your pet isn't waiting in the cargo hold any longer than necessary.

Step 2: Go to the Animal Quarantine Service First (Before Baggage Claim)

After landing, head directly to the Animal Quarantine Service office before going to the baggage carousel. Bring all original documents:

• ANIPAS registration number (confirmation printout)
• Microchip certificate
• Rabies vaccination records (all doses)
• FAVN blood test report (required for non-designated regions)
• Government-endorsed health certificate
• Owner's passport

Step 3: On-Site Inspection

The quarantine officer will:

1. Verify each document — checking dates, official stamps, and signatures
2. Scan the microchip — confirming the chip number matches the documents on-site
3. Visual health check — confirming the pet shows no obvious symptoms

Step 4: Await the Result

If all documents are complete and compliant:

• Immediate release (same-day clearance): The quarantine officer issues a 検疫済証 (Quarantine Completion Certificate) and your pet can enter Japan with you. The entire process typically takes 30–60 minutes.

If there are issues or discrepancies:

• Short-term hold (up to 12 hours): To allow for supplementary documents or verification
• Mandatory quarantine (up to 180 days): If the 180-day waiting period has not been completed, or documents are seriously non-compliant, your pet will be transferred to a quarantine facility near the airport. All costs are borne by the owner (approximately JPY 3,000–6,000 per day)

If Your Pet Is Held for Quarantine

This is every pet owner's worst fear, but the chances are very low if you've prepared thoroughly.

Should it happen, you need to:

1. Get the quarantine facility's contact details — ask the quarantine officer on-site
2. Ask about visitation rules — policies vary by facility; some allow visits at designated times
3. Understand the release conditions — find out exactly which documents are missing or which steps need to be completed
4. Contact ANIPAS — explain the situation and confirm what supplementary submissions are required

After Leaving the Airport: Two Things You Must Do

Once you've cleared quarantine, you and your pet are officially in Japan. But two things must be completed in the coming weeks — these are legal requirements under Japanese law, not optional:

1. Dog Registration (畜犬登録, Chikuken Toroku) — Mandatory for Dog Owners

Under Japan's Rabies Prevention Act (狂犬病予防法), all dogs kept in Japan must be registered with the local city hall (市役所) or ward office (区役所) where the owner resides. Upon registration, you receive a 鑑札 (kanfuda) — a metal ID tag that must be worn on your dog's collar at all times.

2. Annual Rabies Vaccination (毎年義務) — Mandatory for Dog Owners

The Rabies Prevention Act requires that every dog in Japan receives a rabies vaccine once a year in April, and that the owner reports it to the city hall in exchange for a 注射済票 (annual vaccination tag).

🐾 If you arrive outside of April, go to a local vet clinic for the vaccination first, then report to the city hall to receive your 注射済票. Most city halls have a designated window for vet-administered vaccination reports.

Cat Registration (Voluntary but Recommended)

Cats are currently not legally required to be registered in Japan, but:

• Microchip registration: Since 2022, cats sold at pet shops must be microchipped by law, but this does not apply to privately owned cats. Registration is strongly recommended — it significantly improves the chances of recovery if your cat goes missing.
• How to register: Visit your local 動物愛護センター (animal welfare centre) or a registered veterinary clinic
• The Japan Veterinary Medical Association (日本獣医師会) operates a centralised chip database: https://www.iam-pet.jp

Finding Your First Vet in Japan

It's a good idea to bring your pet in for an initial health check within the first two weeks of arrival, for three reasons:

1. Long-haul flights can cause mild dehydration and stress-related digestive issues
2. It establishes a medical record in Japan, making future visits easier
3. It gives you a baseline assessment of how well your pet is adjusting to the new environment

How to find a vet clinic:

• Search Google Maps for 「動物病院」 + your neighbourhood name
• Ask in expat pet owner communities (e.g., Facebook groups like "Pets in Japan – Expat Community")
• Look for bilingual (English/Japanese) clinics, which are far more welcoming for foreign residents

Your First-Week Post-Arrival Checklist