Travel clinic Japan — Travel health and vaccine advice for Japan

Japan Travel Vaccines and advice

Country of sophisticated millenarian traditions, but also manga and video games, Japan is a world apart. In the Country of the Rising Sun, over-densely populated buzzing metropolises lie next to mountains covered with dense forests, while a fascinating history peopled with Samurais, Geisha and fierce Emperors captivate the most imaginative minds. Nature in Japan is omnipresent and sometimes wild. Flocks of tourists head to the Asian country each year to witness the magic of the blossoming of thousands of cherry trees and to explore the snow topped Mount Fuji. The delightful Japanese cuisine, probably the most delicate on the planet, is maybe the most renowned treasure of the country.

WHAT VACCINES DO I NEED FOR JAPAN IN 2025?

The Government of Canada and the CDC recommend the following vaccines for travel to Japan in 2025: traveller’s diarrhea, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, rabies, influenza (flu), COVID-19, and Japanese encephalitis.

HEALTH INFORMATION FOR JAPAN

NOTE:
We make every effort to ensure the information on our website is up to date and aligned with the latest recommendations from public health agencies; however, it is not possible for us to update this information daily.

To obtain the most current travel health recommendations, please schedule an appointment at our clinic to consult one of our travel health professionals.

Hepatitis B

	Recommended for all travelers.
Tetanus – Diphtheria – Pertussis	Tetanus: In exceptional circumstances (e.g., staying in an area with limited access to healthcare), for individuals aged 18 years and older, one dose of the dT vaccine can be administered if five years or more have passed since the last dose. Otherwise, a booster dose is recommended at age 50.* Pertussis: One dose is recommended for all pregnant women, during each pregnancy, regardless of previous vaccination history or interval since the last dose (to be given between the 26th and 32nd week of pregnancy). *This is applicable in Quebec only.
Measles – Rubella – Mumps

Two doses are recommended for all travelers born after 1970, if they have not previously received both doses.
Rabies	Recommended for travelers at high risk of animal bites or those involved in activities with bats. Travelers planning to visit remote regions may also consider receiving this vaccine. Pre-exposure vaccination consists of two doses, one week apart. Post-exposure vaccination is always recommended, even for individuals who have received pre-exposure vaccines.
Influenza (Flu)	Seasonal flu is present worldwide. The flu season is from November to April in the Northern Hemisphere, April to October in the Southern Hemisphere, and year-round in tropical regions. Influenza spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or contact with contaminated surfaces. Vaccination is recommended at least 14 days before departure.
Japanese Encephalitis – Information, Advice & Vaccine	Recommended for the following groups visiting specific rural areas: Long-term travelers (visiting for one month or more) in endemic regions during the transmission season. Short-term travelers (less than one month) visiting endemic areas during the transmission season if their activities increase the risk of exposure (e.g., spending significant time outdoors, staying in accommodations without air conditioning or mosquito nets).
Routine Vaccines (Tdap, Polio, Meningitis, Shingles, Pneumococcal, Hepatitis B, HPV, MMR & Varicella)	Recommended for all travelers.
Typhoid Fever	Recommended for most travelers, especially those who will: Stay with family or friends Visit small towns, villages, or rural areas where food and water hygiene may pose a higher risk Have more adventurous eating habits.
Hepatitis A	Recommended for most travelers, especially those who will: Stay with family or friends Visit small towns, villages, or rural areas where food and water hygiene may pose a higher risk Have more adventurous eating habits.
Dengue Fever	Present. Travelers should take proper mosquito bite prevention measures.
Tick-borne Encephalitis	Present. Travelers should protect themselves against ticks.

Lyme Disease

Present. Travelers should protect themselves against ticks.

JAPAN – RECOMMENDED VACCINES


Traveler’s Diarrhea (ETEC)	Consult your healthcare professional regarding the risks, precautions, and the Dukoral® vaccine. Note: Dukoral is an oral vaccine administered in two doses at least two weeks before the departure date.

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS FOR TRAVEL TO JAPAN

Acetazolamide / Dexamethasone	Recommended for the prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS).
Antibiotics for Traveler’s Diarrhea / Turista	Azithromycin or Suprax.

Medical Care in Japan

Japan provides excellent medical care to its inhabitants in line with international standards. Whilst reputed for its state-of-the-art medical equipment and infrastructure, these benefits come at a cost, and english-speaking doctors are rare. Foreigners with long-term visas are not entitled to the health insurance which founds the Japanese health system. For this reason, purchasing travel insurance before arrival is highly recommended. Centers specialising in psychiatric care are rare and limited to urban areas, and foreigners will find it difficult to access these services.

Also, note that inhalers and stimulant drugs are prohibited in Japan. If you need to bring specific medications on your trip, ensure to bring a prescription with you to avoid confiscation. If you need to bring a large number of drugs or syringes into the country, you will need to fill out a customs declaration in advance. Moreover, be aware that medications for depression and attention deficit disorder cannot be accessed in Japan.

The number to call in the event of an emergency is 119.

Is Japan Safe for Travel?

Safety and Security	Descriptive
Crime	Normal precautions needed
Spiked food and drinks	Risk present
Fraud	Risk present
Road safety	Safe; Narrow roads
Public transportation	Safe and reliable
Fukushima nuclear power plant and surrounding area	AVOID ALL TRAVEL
Women’s safety	Caution required
Risk level	Normal security precautions

Please click here for more information.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Japan?

Prior to travel, make sure you check with your transportation company about any passport requirements. This is important as in some cases their regulations on passport validity may be more strict than those of the destination country.

Only a passport is required to enter Japan for tourism trips under 90 days. The passport must be valid for the length of the stay. More extended stays, as well as business and student trips, require a visa. Note that if you have already entered Japan as a visitor, you cannot apply for a visa.

Overstaying the 90 days tourist visa-free is a violation of federal laws. Currency over 1,000,000 Japanese yens must also be declared during entry and exit.

Please click here for more information.

Embassy of Canada to Japan information

When travelling to another country, it is important to know where the Canadian embassy is located in the event of:

A legal problem
A lost passport
The need to report a crime

It is advisable to make a copy of your original passport in case you lose it.

Canadian Embassy to Japan (TOKYO)
Street Address:
3-38 Akasaka 7-chome, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, Japan, 107-8503

Tel.: 81 (3) 5412-6200
Fax: 81 (3) 5412-6289

Email: [email protected]

Canadian Consulate to Japan (FUKUOKA)
Street Address:
c/o Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. 1-82 Watanabe-dori 2-chome,
Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, Japan, 810-8720

Tel.: 81 (92) 726-6348
Fax: 81 (92) 726-6348

Email: [email protected]

Canadian Consulate to Japan (HIROSHIMA)
Street Address:
c/o Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc., 4-33 Komachi, Naka-ku,
Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken, Japan, 730-8701

Tel.: 81 (82) 246-0057
Fax: 81(82) 246-0057

Canadian Consulate to Japan (NAGOYA)
Street Address:
Nakato Marunouchi Building, 6F, 3-17-6 Marunouchi,
Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan, 460-0002

Tel.: 81 (52) 972-0450
Fax: 81 (52) 972-0453

Email: [email protected]

Canadian Consulate to Japan (OSAKA)
Street Address:
c/o Tsuda Sangyo Co. Ltd., 1-8-19 Hirabayashi Minami,
Suminoe-ku, Osaka, 559-8550, Japan

Tel.: 81 (6) 6681–0250
Fax: 81 (6) 6681-0250

Email: [email protected]

Canadian Consulate to Japan (SAPPORO)
Street Address:
Canada Place, Poseidon Maruyama 2F, 26-1-3 Odori Nishi,
Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan 064-0820

Tel.: 81 (11) 643-2520
Fax: 81 (11) 643-2520

Email: [email protected]

Click here to access the embassy and consulates’ website