Do you need vaccinations for Japan? What Australians should know

Travel health ·Published 17 October 2026 ·Reviewed 17 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

Most Australians don’t need any special travel vaccines for a holiday in Japan, whether it’s Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka or a ski trip to Niseko or Hakuba. What matters most is being up to date with your routine vaccines, especially measles (MMR) and flu, as the Northern Hemisphere flu season, which includes Japan, usually runs from October to May. The Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine is worth discussing if you’ll spend time in rural areas between July and November. And check your medicines before you pack: Japan has strict rules about bringing them in.

Our pharmacist immunisers at Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair can give the vaccines most travellers to Japan need, for anyone aged 5 and over. Walk in or book a time, and see our travel health page for how it works.

Which vaccines do I need for Japan?

Japan has no malaria, and there are no vaccine certificates you need to enter.

Measles and rubella

Smartraveller notes that measles and rubella cases have been reported in Japan in recent years. Two doses of MMR vaccine protect against all three diseases. If you were born in or after 1966 and don’t have records of 2 doses, you can have it free in Queensland. Have your final dose at least 2 weeks before you leave if you can.

Rubella during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby, and the MMR vaccine can’t be given while you’re pregnant. If you’re planning a pregnancy, check you’re protected before you travel.

Flu: the Northern Hemisphere season runs from about October to May

Flu in the Northern Hemisphere usually runs from October to May, which covers the Japanese ski season. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends flu vaccination for travellers, especially when flu is circulating at their destination.

If you had your flu vaccine earlier this year, the Handbook says Australians travelling to the Northern Hemisphere during its flu season may have a second dose before they go. Protection is strongest in the first 3 to 4 months after vaccination. Ask us whether a second dose suits you.

Do I need the Japanese encephalitis vaccine?

Probably not for a typical city holiday or a winter ski trip, but it’s worth a conversation if you’re heading into the countryside in the warmer months. Here’s how the advice fits together:

• Smartraveller notes that JE can occur in Japan’s rural areas, and advises getting vaccinated before you travel.
• The Australian Immunisation Handbook says JE has become much less common in Japan, and recommends the vaccine for people spending a month or more in areas where it’s found. It may also be worth it for shorter trips with lots of time outdoors.
• UK travel health advice says the vaccine isn’t routinely recommended for short trips to Tokyo or other major cities. JE spreads mainly between July and November, with the highest risk in rural areas near rice fields, swamps and marshes.

Depending on the type, the JE vaccine is a single dose or a 2-dose course, and we can give it at Pacific Fair.

Hiking or camping in the forests?

Tick-borne encephalitis has been reported in Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu, with ticks most active from spring to late autumn. If you’re planning to hike or camp in forested areas, talk to a travel doctor before you go, and use insect repellent and long clothing to avoid tick bites.

Bringing medicines into Japan

Japan has strict rules about medicines, and some that are legal in Australia are banned or restricted there. Smartraveller says you may need a permit or certificate, depending on the medicine, its classification and the quantity, and narcotic medicines need a Narcotic Certificate. Medicines can be confiscated if you arrive without the right paperwork, and you could be detained if you’re carrying a banned medicine.

Some prescription pain relievers count as narcotics in Japan, so they need a Narcotic Certificate. The Government of Canada’s travel advice says some ADHD medicines and some cold and flu medicines are banned outright, even with a prescription. It also says you can usually bring up to a one-month supply of prescription medicine, or a two-month supply of non-prescription medicine, as long as it doesn’t contain a narcotic. Larger amounts need an import certificate, which can take months to arrange.

Before you go:

• Ask us to check the ingredients of your regular medicines, including anything you buy over the counter.
• Get a letter from your doctor listing your medicines, doses and why you take them.
• Keep medicines in their original packaging in your carry-on.
• Check the rules for anything you’re unsure about with the Embassy of Japan well before you fly.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Talk to your pharmacist about which vaccines you’re due for, your travel health kit, and whether your regular medicines are allowed in Japan.

See a GP if you need a doctor’s letter or new prescriptions for the trip, if you’re pregnant or have a weakened immune system, or if you’re travelling with children under 5. Help Medical, an independent general practice located inside our store, can help.

After your trip, see a doctor if you develop a fever or rash, and mention where you’ve been. In an emergency, call 000.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need vaccinations for Japan?

No vaccines are required to enter Japan. Being up to date with routine vaccines, especially measles and flu, is the main thing. The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is worth discussing for longer stays or rural trips between July and November.

Do I need a flu shot for a ski trip to Japan?

It’s a good idea. The ski season falls in the Northern Hemisphere flu season, and if you had your flu vaccine months ago, you may be able to have a second dose before you fly. Ask your pharmacist.

Can I take my regular medicines to Japan?

Usually, yes, within limits. Some medicines that are legal in Australia are banned or restricted in Japan, and narcotic medicines need a certificate. Check your medicines with your pharmacist and the Embassy of Japan before you fly, and carry a doctor’s letter.

Is there malaria in Japan?

No. You don’t need malaria tablets for Japan.

Planning a trip to Japan? Walk in to Pacific Fair for your flu or MMR vaccine, or book a travel vaccination before you go.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.