Vaccination Proof for Dog Runs and Dog-Friendly Cafes in Japan: What to Show and How to Carry It
Dog runs and dog-friendly shops in Japan may ask for two kinds of proof, tags and papers, and the rules differ by facility. Based on official sources, here is how to prepare and carry them.
What you will learn
- The registration tag and rabies vaccination tag are worn by the dog; the rabies certificate and combination vaccine certificate are papers kept at home
- Documents and registration periods differ between dog runs, so read the facility's guidance before you go
- From March 2, 2027, rabies shots can be given at any time of year, but the once-a-year requirement remains
Contents
At the entrance to a dog run, or at a dog-friendly shop you are visiting for the first time, you may be asked whether you have your dog's vaccination certificate. At some facilities, you may not be able to get in that day if you do not have it with you.
What you show comes in two forms: tags your dog wears on its collar, and papers you keep at home. Which ones you need depends on where you are going. If you check the tags on the collar and the guidance for your destination the night before, you will not be caught off guard at the front desk.
Two kinds of proof: tags on the collar and papers kept at home
In Japan, owners of dogs aged 91 days or older must register their dog with the local municipality and have it vaccinated against rabies once a year. If you get such a dog, you must register it and have it vaccinated within 30 days of getting it.
The registration tag (kansatsu) issued at registration and the rabies vaccination tag (chusha-zumi-hyo) issued after the shot show that the dog has been registered and vaccinated. Owners are legally required to keep both tags on the dog. How microchipped dogs are treated is explained in the FAQ at the end.
There are also paper documents. When your dog is vaccinated at a veterinary clinic, you receive a paper rabies vaccination certificate (chusha-zumi-sho).
How you receive the tag differs by municipality. In Kawasaki City, for example, you take this paper to the ward office. In Yokohama City, you can take it to the ward office or receive the tag at the same time as the shot at a clinic commissioned by the city. Check your own municipality's guidance.
| Name | Form | Where it usually is | Examples of when it is checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration tag (kansatsu) | A tag issued at registration. In municipalities that take part in the special microchip arrangement, a registered microchip takes its place | On the collar or harness | Registering for or entering a dog run |
| Rabies vaccination tag (chusha-zumi-hyo) | A tag issued after the shot | On the collar or harness | Registering for or entering a dog run |
| Rabies vaccination certificate (chusha-zumi-sho) | Paper issued by the clinic that gave the shot | Kept at home, with a photo as a backup | Getting the tag issued, checks at facilities |
| Combination vaccine certificate | Paper issued by the clinic that gave the vaccine | Kept at home, with a photo as a backup | When a facility's or shop's rules ask for it |
The vaccination the law requires every year is the rabies shot. Combination vaccines may be required by the rules of a facility or shop.
Tip
The certificate (chusha-zumi-sho) is a sheet of paper and the tag (chusha-zumi-hyo) is a small tag for the collar. The names differ by only one character in Japanese, so learn each name together with its form to avoid mix-ups at the front desk.
Each dog run sets its own documents and registration period
Each dog run decides which documents it checks and how long registration lasts. When you read the guidance for your destination, look for three things: what is needed, in what form, and how recent it must be. The table below shows examples from public dog runs.
| Facility | What is checked | How long registration lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Dog runs in 12 Tokyo Metropolitan parks | The vaccination tag for the current fiscal year (April to March) | Until June 30 of the following fiscal year |
| Chiyoda City dog run | Rabies and combination vaccinations | Until March 31 (the end of the fiscal year) |
| Hayama Town dog yard (dog run) | Registration tag, plus a vaccination tag and a 5-in-1 or broader combination vaccine certificate from within the past year | One year from registration |
| Dog area at Higashi-Ogishima East Park, Kawasaki | Copies of the registration tag or similar, and of a document showing a rabies shot within the past year | One year from registration |
Deadlines are counted differently too: until March 31, until June 30 of the following fiscal year, or one year from registration. Do not assume a new place works like the one you used before; check the facility's guidance before you go.
Whether a dog-friendly cafe asks for proof depends on the shop
Whether a dog-friendly cafe or inn asks for proof, and what it asks for, differs from shop to shop. Start by checking the dog-friendly information section on the shop's Inucomi page. When you look for shops in the list of dog cafes, reading that section as well helps avoid surprises on the day.
If something is not written or you are unsure, the most reliable step is to ask the shop before booking or visiting. These four points are worth asking.
- Whether the rabies vaccination, a combination vaccine, or both are needed
- Whether the original is needed or a copy or phone photo is fine
- How recent the vaccination needs to be
- How puppies, and dogs whose vaccinations have been postponed on a vet's advice, are handled
Phone photos are a handy backup, but whether they work at the front desk depends on the facility
Photos on your phone are a handy backup, but whether a photo is accepted at the front desk differs by facility. Keep the original paper certificates safely at home and the photos on your phone. They also let you check the vaccination date on the spot.
The dog runs in Tokyo Metropolitan parks check the vaccination tag for the current fiscal year rather than paper certificates. According to their guidance, registration for fiscal 2026 is done online, and you apply with an image of your vaccination tag. On the other hand, the dog area at Higashi-Ogishima East Park in Kawasaki registers dogs with copies of documents.
On the certificates and documents page in your Inucomi My Page, you can store photos of rabies vaccination certificates, vaccine certificates and similar documents for each of your dogs. When asked, you can check the documents on screen right away, and at facilities that accept photos you can show them as they are. You need to create an account and log in to use it.
| What to check | Where to look |
|---|---|
| The registration tag and vaccination tag are attached | The collar or harness |
| The vaccination tag is for the current fiscal year | The fiscal year of the shot shown on the tag, and the date of the last shot |
| You have a backup of the paper certificates | Phone photos or the certificates and documents page in My Page |
| What your destination asks for, and in what form | The facility's guidance or the shop's dog-friendly information section |
Caution
Talk to your regular veterinarian about which combination vaccine to use, how often to vaccinate, and whether to postpone a vaccination because of your dog's health. If a facility asks, show the documents your veterinarian gave you.
From March 2, 2027, the rabies shot can be given year-round
From March 2, 2027, the rabies shot can be given at any time of year. The duty to vaccinate once a year does not change. Currently, owners must have their dogs vaccinated between April 1 and June 30 each year, and this rule will be abolished.
Some facilities, such as the dog runs in Tokyo Metropolitan parks, check the tag for the current fiscal year (April to March). The tag shows the fiscal year of the shot, which may be written in the Japanese era calendar (for example, Reiwa 8 = fiscal 2026). If you change when your dog gets the shot once year-round vaccination begins, review the conditions of the facilities you use as well.
You can review how registration and vaccination work with the Dog Registration and Vaccination Quiz: Beginner. If dog-friendly shops are new to you, the Venue Finder by Your Practice Plan: Practical can help you find a way to choose places that suit you. More reads are collected in the column list.
Tonight, take a look at the tags on the collar and the guidance for your next destination.
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Frequently asked questions
Which documents do dog runs ask for?
It depends on the facility. Tokyo Metropolitan parks check the vaccination tag for the current fiscal year, and the Hayama Town dog yard also asks for a combination vaccine certificate. Check the facility's guidance before you go.
Do dog-friendly cafes also ask for proof?
It depends on the shop. Check the dog-friendly information section on the shop's Inucomi page, and if it is not stated, ask the shop before your visit.
Will a photo on my phone be accepted?
It depends on the facility. Dog runs in Tokyo Metropolitan parks accept fiscal 2026 registration online using an image of the vaccination tag. They check the tag rather than paper certificates. Some other facilities register dogs with copies of documents.
If my dog has a microchip, is the registration tag unnecessary?
In municipalities that take part in the special microchip arrangement, a microchip counts as the registration tag once its information has been registered; simply implanting it is not enough. In municipalities that do not take part, you need to apply for registration under the Rabies Prevention Act separately from microchip registration.
What if my dog's vaccinations have been postponed on a vet's advice?
How this is handled differs by facility and shop. Prepare the documents your veterinarian gave you, and ask the facility or shop before you go whether your dog can visit with those documents.
Sources and references
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Dog Registration Tags and Rabies Vaccination Tags” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Rabies Q&A” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Kawasaki City, “Rabies Vaccination (Issuing and Reissuing Vaccination Tags)” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Yokohama City, “Dog Registration and Rabies Vaccination Procedures” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Notice on the Promulgation of the Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Rabies Prevention Act (Kanpatsu 0401 No. 1)” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, “Kiba Park Dog Run Terms of Use (March 3, 2026 edition)” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, “Frequently Asked Questions” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Chiyoda City, “Dog Run Guide” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Hayama Town, “Rules for Using the Dog Yard at Nango Kaminoyama Park” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Kawasaki City, “Registration for the Dog Area at Higashi-Ogishima East Park” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, “Kiba Park Facilities (Dog Run)” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Rabies” (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (e-Gov Laws and Regulations Search), “Ordinance for Enforcement of the Rabies Prevention Act (Ministry of Health and Welfare Ordinance No. 52 of 1950)” (accessed 2026-10-12)
This article reflects information available at the time of publication. Rules and figures can change, so please check each source for the latest information.
A note about health information
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis, or treatment by a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your dog's health, please consult a veterinarian.