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How to Move to Japan With Your Cat

Writer's picture: Keely McCormickKeely McCormick

Updated: Jan 13

In June 2022, I packed up my cat Georgie and all my belongings and moved to Tokyo. When people ask me why I chose to bring my cat on a 10-hour flight, I always respond, "He's my son. I couldn't leave him behind!"



He liked looking out the window
He liked looking out the window

Getting Ready

Because Japan is a "rabies free" country, you must prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the pet you are bringing in does not have rabies.


What this entails is two rabies vaccinations, a blood test, a 180 day wait, a vet inspection, advanced notification, reserving him a spot on the flight, and finally an inspection at the airport in Tokyo.


The whole process took about 8 months and was honestly completely worth it. There is nothing better after a long day of work than snuggling up with a little cat. Our neighbors love him too and often shout "neko chan!" at him when we go on walks.


Flight Day

We chose to fly Canada Air because they allowed Georgie to sit in the cabin with me. The whole process was surprisingly smooth. I called Canada Air a few months in advance to add Georgie to my ticket and pay the $100 in cabin pet fee.


Once we got to the airport and checked my many bags, we headed to security. Georgie had to be taken out of his backpack and I walked with him through the scanners. He was surprisingly chill during this process.


Georgie not impressed with the airport pet bathroom.

After our bags were scanned and they made sure Georgie wasn't smuggling anything illegal, we headed to our gate to wait. After a couple snacks and a Starbucks, we went to check out SFO's pet relief area. They had a large bathroom I could let him out in, but he decided he'd rather hang in his backpack than go to the bathroom.


So upset he had to be shoved under an airplane seat

On the Flight

The flight to Tokyo was as smooth as you can imagine. It was during the COVID lockdown so the flight was virtually empty. Georgie sat on the empty seat next to me and looked out the window occasionally, but mostly, he slept.


We had a connecting flight in Vancouver and the Canada Air staff asked to see his paperwork to ensure he would be let into Japan. Everyone was very friendly and excited to see such a brave traveling cat.


He loves being high up so this was a real treat

In Tokyo

Once we landed, I was exhausted and didn't want to take the train all the way to our Airbnb so I opted for a taxi. I wish we had instead taken the train and had my luggage delivered to the Airbnb as we probably would have saved around $200.


As soon as we made it to the apartment, I laid out Georgie's travel litter box and he could finally release the pee he had been holding in since California. I'd tried to get him to go in the private bathrooms at San Francisco and Vancouver Airports, but he seemed too nervous at the time.


After that sweet relief he was thrilled to be able to run around our new space.


Cat on a ladder
He very quickly figured out how to use the ladder in our Airbnb

Finding an Apartment

I'd originally booked the Airbnb for 3 weeks while I hunted for a long term apartment. Unfortunately, in Japan it's perfectly legal to say you won't rent to foreigners, let alone foreigners with a cat.


I soon found that even when an apartment said foreigners OK and pets OK, they often only meant small dogs, not cats.


After the 3 weeks were nearly up I finally found a small studio in a cute neighborhood right on the Yamanote line. Convenient, and pet friendly.


Georgie seeing his first cherry blossoms in Tokyo
Georgie seeing his first cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Pet Travel Supplies

  • Airline compliant pet bag (Georgie uses the Reddy Black Cotton Canvas Pet Backpack)

  • Harness and leash (especially helpful when I had to carry him through security)

  • Travel litter box and litter (he didn't use these at the airport but it was nice to have as soon as we made it to the airbnb)

  • Snacks

  • Wet wipes (for accidents)

  • Little plastic bags (for accidents)

  • Calming collar (Georgie wore this one and I think it helped his travel anxiety)

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