Recommended
- Standard adult immunisations
- Hepatitis A and B for extended stays
Practical guidance
When to book the clinic
Book a travel-health clinic appointment 6 to 8 weeks before departure for Japan. Several recommended vaccines (Hepatitis A and B, Japanese Encephalitis, rabies pre-exposure) need a multi-dose schedule that does not compress; the full course can take 4 to 6 weeks. Yellow fever specifically takes 10 days to confer immunity and certificates are only valid 10 days after the shot, so this one is non-negotiable on timing.
Yellow fever specifics for Japan
Yellow fever proof is required only if you have transited or stayed in a yellow-fever-endemic country in the 6 days before arriving in Japan. If your itinerary is direct from a non-endemic country, no certificate needed; if you are routing via Brazil, sub-Saharan Africa, or northern South America, carry the ICVP.
What “recommended” actually means
The 2 recommended vaccines above are the CDC and WHO guidance for typical travellers to Japan. They’re not mandatory at the border; they protect against the diseases endemic to the region. Routine immunisations (MMR, dTaP, polio, COVID-19, annual flu) should already be current regardless of destination. Hepatitis A is the single highest-value travel vaccine for most destinations, transmitted through contaminated food and water, and worth getting even if you only plan to eat in established restaurants.
Cost and where to get them
UK NHS travel clinic is free for routine vaccines, charged at cost for travel-specific ones (yellow fever, Japanese Encephalitis, rabies). US travellers should expect $100 to $300 per dose at a travel clinic; many are not covered by standard health insurance. Cheaper option in some destinations: get yellow fever locally at a government clinic on arrival ($20 to $50 in most South American and African capitals) if your itinerary allows the 10-day window before your next entry. Always ask for the official yellow ICVP booklet, not a generic clinic slip.
Related for Japan
More on Japan
Japan is statistically among the safest large countries in the world. Crime against tourists is rare; the relevant risks are seismic, meteorological, and procedural. This guide covers what to do when the ground moves, when typhoons close transport, how the world-class healthcare system actually works for foreigners, and the small set of cultural conventions that make a difference.
Frequently asked about Japan
What vaccinations do I need for Japan?
Recommended vaccines for typical travellers to Japan: Standard adult immunisations, Hepatitis A and B for extended stays. Yellow fever is required if arriving from a country with yellow-fever transmission. Routine immunisations (MMR, dTaP, polio, COVID-19, flu) should be current regardless of destination. Verify with a travel-health clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departure.
Is yellow fever vaccination required for Japan?
Only if you have transited or stayed in a yellow-fever-endemic country in the 6 days before arriving in Japan. If your itinerary is direct from a non-endemic country, no certificate is needed.
When should I get my travel vaccinations for Japan?
Book a travel-health clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Several recommended vaccines (Hepatitis A and B, Japanese Encephalitis, rabies pre-exposure) need a multi-dose schedule that does not compress; the full course can take 4 to 6 weeks. Yellow fever specifically takes 10 days to confer immunity and certificates are only valid after that window.