Hi everyone,
I’m planning a move to Japan and I’m trying to figure out the best (and safest) way to bring my dog with me.
My dog weighs about 20 kg, so unfortunately she’s too large to travel in the cabin. However, I’m very reluctant to put her in the cargo hold, and I’m trying to understand if there are realistic alternatives that people have successfully used.
I’m already aware of the Japanese import requirements (microchip, rabies vaccinations, FAVN test, waiting period, quarantine procedures, etc.), so my main questions are more about transport options, for example:
Airlines that handle pets particularly well or allow more humane solutions
Specialized pet relocation services and whether they’re worth the cost
Routing options (e.g. indirect flights, different countries of departure) that might reduce stress or risks
Real experiences from people who moved medium/large dogs to Japan
I’m not looking for shortcuts or ways around the rules — I just want to make the move as safe and low-stress as possible for my dog.
Any advice, experiences, or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
by dieghins