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50+ years of care
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Industry-leading Pet Travel Portal to make things simple & clear.
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OUR PROMISE TO YOU
Starwood Pet Travel offers the highest standard of care-blending real-time tracking, expert and personalized guidance, and a global partner network no one else can match.
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Experience + Personal Care
Every trip has a story
Read stories traveling to and from Japan
March 24, 2025
Bunta and Coo move to Japan
Bunta and Coo, a devoted dog-and-cat duo from sunny Los Angeles, recently embarked on a globe-trotting adventure to join their family in Japan. With Bunta’s curious snout always leading the way and Coo’s cool-cat composure keeping things balanced, these two...

May 06, 2025
Boston to Burgundy
Meet Hallee—an energetic Irish Doodle with the heart of an explorer and the loyalty of a lifelong best friend. A mix of Irish Setter and toy poodle, Hallee has always been full of energy and curiosity. As she nears her...

March 17, 2025
From Chicago to Melbourne: Macey's Journey Home
After several years in the U.S., Macey—the sweet, slightly shy ball-chaser—has made her way back home to Australia. Her journey from Chicago to Melbourne was no small feat, spanning thousands of miles and involving a carefully coordinated trip with our...
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April 28, 2025
Orion's Big Move: From the Mountains to English Gardens
Orion, an affectionate and friendly young cat with a playful, cheeky streak, recently made the journey from the mountains of Colorado to his new home in England. Traveling comfortably aboard Lufthansa on a carefully planned route from Denver to Frankfurt,...

April 02, 2025
Pippa moves to Cambridge, England
Pippa, a sweet white Labradoodle from Connecticut, recently made the transatlantic leap to her new home in England. Known for her gentle spirit and fluffy charm, Pippa can get a little anxious when she's apart from her family—often letting out...
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Discover the heartfelt stories of pet owners traveling
to and from Japan
73 days ago
Just wanted to give a huge thanks to the Jet Pets team in New Zealand and Starwood Pet Travel in the US for getting our beloved Kona safely to the United States. From the initial discussions to the Vet visits...
Source: Google
131 days ago
Incredible experience using this service. Everything was truly 'hands free' as Starwood took care of all the heavy lifting. Each point of contact was detailed, communicative, and readily available for any and all questions. Our dog arrived to her final...
Source: Google
230 days ago
My partner and I hired Starwood to help with transporting our dog from Texas to the UK. We found it as affordable as transporting a pet can be (as it was thousands of dollars more to do ourselves and a...
Source: Google
66 days ago
Julie and team ❤️ We have Oscar now in Tucson. We just wanted to pass on our deepest gratitude to you and your teams. We were so worried and stressed about Oscar’s trip due to his age and medical history...
Source: Google

73 days ago
Just wanted to give a huge thanks to the Jet Pets team in New Zealand and Starwood Pet Travel in the US for getting our beloved Kona safely to the United States. From the initial discussions to the Vet visits in Nelson NZ then the final vet exam at MPI prior to departure, all the Jet Pets staff were amazing. Communication was exceptional at all stages of the process. Everyone was so pleasant, kind and well informed. Our questions were quickly answered, and little accommodations were easily made. Kona and I were treated very well by everyone we worked with. We will be very happy to use Jet Pets and Starwood in the future and can confidently recommend their services.
Source: Google

131 days ago
Incredible experience using this service. Everything was truly 'hands free' as Starwood took care of all the heavy lifting. Each point of contact was detailed, communicative, and readily available for any and all questions. Our dog arrived to her final destination happy with signs of being well taken care of. My only regret is not hiring Starwood sooner.
Source: Google
230 days ago
My partner and I hired Starwood to help with transporting our dog from Texas to the UK. We found it as affordable as transporting a pet can be (as it was thousands of dollars more to do ourselves and a very large margin for error when it came down to the documents). The only hiccup we encountered was an unfortunate mistake on the vet’s part that would’ve resulted in having to push our flight further out. Please, please, please encourage your vet to accept Starwood’s help, especially if they’ve never done a health certificate before. Regardless, my dog Minnie made it home safely thanks to this wonderful company. Thank you! And a special thanks to Sarah our UK coordinator for your confidence and reassurance. You took away all the stress I would’ve otherwise had! You did great!
Source: Google
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66 days ago
Julie and team ❤️ We have Oscar now in Tucson. We just wanted to pass on our deepest gratitude to you and your teams. We were so worried and stressed about Oscar’s trip due to his age and medical history and you all went far above and beyond our expectations to allay our fears and deliver top notch service to our best little man. He arrived clean and although a bit disoriented, has settled in perfectly back with us. We however we wanted to say thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. You and your teams obviously love our pets as much as we do and it definitely shows.
Source: Google
Traveling to Japan
2025 Pet Travel Guide to Japan
Planning to relocate to Japan with your dog or cat? Japan is a beautiful and pet-conscious country—but entering with a pet involves a very strict and time-sensitive process. From microchip regulations to advance quarantine notification, it’s essential to start early and stay organized. At Starwood, we’ve successfully guided hundreds of pets into Japan and are here to help you every step of the way.
Below is a general overview of what’s required when transporting pets to Japan from the United States.
Microchip
Vaccinations
Rabies Vaccinations
Japan is a rabies-free country and takes rabies control very seriously.
Your pet must receive:
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Two rabies vaccinations
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First vaccination must be administered after microchip implantation.
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Second vaccination must be given at least 30 days after the first, and both must be administered within the last 12 months (or as accepted by Japan’s authorities).
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Both vaccines must be inactivated (killed virus) rabies vaccines.
Puppies and kittens must be at least 91 days old to receive their first rabies vaccine, which means the minimum age for import into Japan is typically 7–8 months, depending on the vaccination and testing timeline.
Rabies Titer Test (RNATT)
At least 180 days and no more than 2 years before arrival in Japan, your pet must pass a rabies antibody titer test conducted at an approved laboratory (such as Kansas State University). The test confirms sufficient antibody levels (≥0.5 IU/ml) and must follow the two rabies vaccines.
The 180-day waiting period starts from the blood draw date. Your pet cannot enter Japan before the waiting period is complete, or they will be subject to quarantine upon arrival.
Other Vaccinations
While Japan does not require additional vaccinations for cats and dogs, it is recommended that your pet is up to date on the following.
Cats
- FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
- Feline Leukemia
Dogs
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Leptospirosis
- CIV (Canine Influenza Virus)
Other Treatments
While not mandatory, it is sometimes recommended that cats and dogs be treated with an external parasite (fleas and ticks) treatment and an internal parasite (nematodes and cestodes) treatment within 10 days prior to export. If administered, these treatments should be reported on the health certificate.
Advance Notification
Japan requires an Advance Notification of Import to be submitted to the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) at least 40 days prior to arrival. This notification includes flight details, pet information, vaccination history, and more.
Once reviewed, AQS will issue a Notification Acceptance form, which must be presented upon arrival.
Health Certificate
Within 10 days of your pet’s departure, a USDA-accredited veterinarian must complete the Japan-specific international health certificate, confirming:
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Microchip implantation
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Valid rabies vaccinations
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Titer test results
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No clinical signs of rabies or other infectious diseases
The form must then be endorsed by the USDA.
Quarantine
If all conditions are met—including the microchip, rabies vaccines, titer test, 180-day wait, and advance notification—your pet will likely only undergo a brief inspection upon arrival.
If any step is missed or incomplete, your pet may face up to 180 days of quarantine in Japan, at your expense.
Travel Requirements
Pets must enter Japan through a designated Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) port. These include:
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Narita (NRT)
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Haneda (HND)
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Kansai (KIX)
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Chubu (NGO)
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Fukuoka (FUK) (limited)
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New Chitose (CTS)
Pets typically travel as manifest cargo and must be transported in an IATA-compliant travel crate. Starwood can coordinate routing and ensure the crate meets all international standards.
How Starwood Can Help
2025 Japan Country Guide
Now that you and your furry companion have arrived in Japan—congratulations! You've already cleared one of the world’s most meticulous import processes. Whether you’re settling into a quiet Kyoto neighborhood, a high-rise in Tokyo, or an island town near Okinawa, Japan offers a unique blend of urban pet perks and respectful community culture.
This guide covers the essentials for life with pets in Japan, from veterinary care to pet etiquette and where to find the best dog-friendly cafés.
Moving from Japan
We have a team of experts ready to help with every aspect of your pet’s move from Australia. Our services from Australia include:
- Door to door pet transport, both international and domestic
- Assistance with health certificates, import certificates, and other travel documents needed for animal transport
- USDA endorsement and consular legalization (when needed) of all relevant documents where required
- Airline approved flight kennels provided with personalized labels, identification and emergency notification instructions
- Customs clearance and delivery to your home
- Local pet taxi service to and from the airport, your home, veterinarian, kennel, or groomer – available in your area
- Travel consultation and flight reservations
We will inform you of your pet's full itinerary before the trip and we will update you throughout your pet's journey.
Incoming Pet? We're Ready for Touchdown!
Whether you’re flying your pet to the United States after a brief stay or a whole lifetime in another country, there are a number of hoops to jump through. Getting all of the details right can be confusing and time-consuming, and improper planning or documentation could delay your pet’s entry into the country. Let us handle all the details for you!
What’s the process?
After submitting your quote request and completing the invoice payment, a dedicated booking specialist will be assigned to assist you. They will take care of all the necessary arrangements for your pet's import, including collecting information and documents from you. On the day of arrival, they will keep you updated on the clearance process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
It's important to note that this quote covers import and customs clearance specifically for the United States. It is your responsibility to handle the export process from your country of origin. You have the option to work directly with an airline or engage a local pet shipper.
Additionally, if you are traveling from a high-risk rabies country to the United States, it is your responsibility to obtain the CDC import permit.






