Information
2026/03/02
NEWRegarding English vaccination certificates
We are anticipating a highly congested inoculation season. To ease the congestion, we will issue only Japanese vaccine certificates between March and June. For export purposes, an English version can be available, but we will need to be informed prior to you visiting the clinic.
We deeply appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this very busy time of the year.
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2026/03/02
NEWRabies vaccinations
As Japan is a Rabies free country, we have a very strict rules regarding rabies vaccines.
All dogs must get a new shot every year (even those who have a valid 3-year vaccine) and the owner must report each new shot to the ward office. The ward office will issue a rabies vaccine tag for each year, and your dog must wear it on their collar. This tag is required for some boarding facilities and dog parks.
The new year starts April 1st in Japan, not January 1st, and during the new year period (April to June) is when the rabies vaccine updates must be done. You will receive a letter (Pic. A) from the ward office every year as a reminder. Please make sure to update your dog’s rabies vaccine at least once a year.
For residents of Minato ward, PetLife can assist with the rabies registration process and obtain a tag on your behalf. Dogs must be registered in the Ministry of the Environment database to be eligible for Minato ward rabies registration. (Please check the email about dog registration for details.)
Rabies vaccination registration generally begins on April 1st, but for 2026 and 2027, Minato ward has made an exception and is allowing dog owners to register beginning March 2nd.
If you require assistance with the registration process,
・Please register your dog in the Ministry of the Environment database beforehand. (Online registration https://reg.mc.env.go.jp/, or physical registration at the local ward office.)
・Please bring the letter from Minato ward (Pic. A. *blue for 2026) regarding rabies vaccination. You should receive this in the mail every spring.
・There will be a fee of 550jpy for annual registration. The rabies vaccination itself is 3,520jpy.
Pic. A 
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2026/03/02
NEWDog registration
For all dog owners
All dogs over 91days of age have to be registered with the ward office of your residency. This can be done by registering a microchip online (the Ministry of the Environment’s microchip database https://reg.mc.env.go.jp/ ). This is required only once during your residency, but please make changes to your registration status as needed (ex; change of address, death of your pet etc.)
For those who entered Japan from overseas with their dog
If you moved from overseas, your dog must be registered within 30 days of your entry to Japan. This can also be done by registering your dog’s microchip online(the Ministry of the Environment’s microchip database https://reg.mc.env.go.jp/ ).
To do this, you will need a microchip certificate with a barcode. There are 2 ways to obtain this certificate.
1, Send a picture of your dog’s import quarantine certificate to the Ministry of the Environment’s microchip database team, at info@mc.env.go.jp, and ask for the barcode certificate and follow their instructions.
2, Stop by our clinic with your dog, and we will read the microchip and issue the certificate. We can also help upload your dog’s information for registration.
You will receive your dog’s registration certificate (pic1) when you complete the registration. This certificate comes with a password which will be necessary when changing owner/pet information, so please be sure to remember it.
If for some reason you are not able to complete the process online, you can physically take your dog’s paperwork to the ward office of your residency to receive an identification tag (those that register online will not be issued a tag), This identification tag will cost 3,000jpy in Minato ward.
For those who purchased or rescued a dog in Japan
If you purchase a dog in Japan, ownership information will need to be changed (from breeders’ to yours). Upon purchase, you will receive a registration certificate (Pic1) with a password that you will need to change the ownership information.
If for some reason you are not able to complete the process online, you can physically take your dog’s paperwork to the ward office of your residency to receive an identification tag (those that register online will not be issued a tag), This identification tag will cost 3,000jpy in Minato ward.
Pic1
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2026/02/23
Staff attendance for March
There will be a change in consultation schedule between March 14th ~ 20th
For more information, please conform the LINK below “Schedule change for March 14th-20th”.
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2026/02/22
Dr. Kinoshita unavailable for consultation & Change in consultation schedule
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2025/02/05
Notice regarding Minato ward registration fee for rabies vaccines
In 2020, due to the COVID pandemic, Minato ward decided to temporarily waive the fees for rabies vaccination registration. This exemption will be available until March 31st, 2025, but as of April 1st, all dog owners will be subject to the fees listed below.
If you would like us to register your dog on your behalf (and send you the registration tags in the mail), please prepare these fees in addition to the fee for the vaccine so that we can pass them on to the ward office. For residents of Minato ward, rabies vaccinations for 2025 registration will begin on March 2nd.
Fee for registration tags (only the initial year): 3.000jpy
Fee for annual rabies tag (to be updated every year) : 550jpy
If your dog has a microchip, please input owner information into the Ministry of the Environment’s database
https://reg.mc.env.go.jp/ to register your dog (registration fees are listed on the website). Since the microchip is regarded as a registration tag, by doing this you will not need to be issued a physical registration tag by the Minato ward office.
If your dog is not microchipped, please either microchip and register online with the Ministry of the Environment, or register your dog with the ward within 30 days of adopting a dog that is 91 days old or older, to receive an identification tag.
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