Route guide
Vancouver → Tokyo
The long game. Japan’s titer test and advance-notification window mean this route rewards planning months ahead — but done right, your pet clears without extended quarantine.
Leaving Canada
Rules tighten for dogs arriving from countries Canada considers high-risk for dog rabies. Commercial imports and puppies under eight months follow separate paths.
See full entry rulesEntering Japan
Japan runs one of the most procedure-heavy entry processes in the world — but there is no long quarantine if you follow every step in order. The critical one is the rabies antibody (titer) test, which starts a waiting period of up to 180 days before your pet can enter.
Airlines on this route
Airline rules stack on top of the country rules above. Confirm both before you book.
Your chronological checklist
Work backwards from your travel date. Start the earliest step first — some cannot be rushed.
- 1 Implant an ISO microchipFirst — every later record references it
- 2 Rabies vaccinationAfter the microchip, at least 21 days before travel
- 3 Rabies titer (blood) testAfter vaccination — can start a waiting period of up to 6 months
- 4 Apply for the import permitAs early as possible — government approval takes time
- 5 Health certificate & endorsementClose to travel — often within a 10-day window
- 6 Book the flight & confirm the pet slotCabin and hold spots are capped per flight
- 7 Travel dayCarry the originals plus copies of every document