📖 About 5 minutes read
Hi, I’m Hiroshi — a 50-something blogger from Japan.
Every spring, there’s one thing I brace myself for.
My Shiba Inu Momiji’s annual rabies vaccine.
We went again this year, and Momiji somehow knew exactly what was coming — in the funniest, most dramatic way possible.
This post is for:
・Anyone who struggles to take their dog to the vet every year
・Dog owners wondering why Japan requires annual rabies shots
・People who love stories about scaredy-cat pets
Dogs can’t talk, but they know when something’s up. Taking them anyway — that’s what being a responsible owner looks like.
First, the Basics: Rabies Vaccination Is Required by Law in Japan
Rabies might feel like a distant concern if you live in Japan — but globally, it kills around 59,000 people a year, with 95% of cases in Asia and Africa.
Once symptoms appear, the fatality rate is nearly 100%. No effective treatment exists after onset.
Japan has had zero domestic rabies cases since 1957, thanks to the Rabies Prevention Act (enacted 1950), which mandates vaccination, registration, and ID tag requirements for all dog owners.
Three legal obligations every dog owner in Japan must follow:
- Dog registration (once in a lifetime)
- Annual rabies vaccination
- Wear the registration tag and vaccination tag on the collar at all times
Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to ¥200,000.
Vaccinations are available at municipal mass vaccination events (April–June) or at your local vet year-round. Typical cost: ¥2,500–3,100 for the shot, plus a ¥550 tag issuance fee.
The tag color changes every year — 2026’s color is red. Some municipalities now issue cute bone-shaped or paw-print-shaped tags.
We Headed to the Mass Vaccination Event
Momiji and I made our way to the community vaccination site.
In the parking lot, she was in a great mood — sniffing noses with other dogs, tail wagging, completely unbothered.
“Maybe today will go smoothly,” I thought.
I was wrong.
Something Shifted as the Line Got Shorter
As we moved closer to the front of the line, Momiji’s energy started to change.
She started fidgeting. Her ears tilted.
And when I tried to pick her up…
Full Panic Mode
She went wild.
“She knew, didn’t she…” I thought, struggling to hold her steady. We turned her around, the vet gave her the shot from behind.
Done. In seconds. She gave me this look like “something just happened,” but it was already over.
The shot itself takes seconds — but the waiting is so much longer. Maybe that tense anticipation is the hardest part for dogs.
What to Watch for After the Shot
When we got home, I kept a close eye on her.
The first 24 hours after vaccination are the key monitoring window.
Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) can occur within 30 minutes of the shot — so it’s best to wait near the clinic for a while before heading home.
- No strenuous exercise on the day of the shot (no dog parks or long walks)
- No bathing for 3 days (to protect the injection site)
- If she seems low-energy, just wait 1–2 days
If you notice facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or fainting — get to a vet immediately.
Caring about what Momiji eats is also part of keeping her healthy. Here’s a dog food review that might help.
→ PAW’S GREEN DELI Review: Additive-Free Dog Food for Picky Eaters
Momiji’s Just Being Momiji
Momiji is a Shiba Inu, but she’s nothing like the typical Shiba.
Shibas are known for being independent and aloof. Momiji? She loves everybody. Strangers, delivery drivers, random kids — she runs up to all of them, tail going crazy.
She’s more Golden Retriever in personality than Shiba.
But needles? Absolute panic. That’s the one thing she absolutely refuses to be cool about. Does your dog have a surprising “panic trigger” like this? For Momiji, that one thing aside — honestly the easiest dog in the world (ha).
We went on a walk with Momiji recently too — a very different vibe.
→ A Quiet Coastal Walk in Ninomiya with My Dog
And yes, she has opinions about her chews too.
→ DoggyMan Whident Chew Review: Which One Does Momiji Prefer?
The annual rabies shot can feel like a chore. You hold a panicking dog, sweat a little, laugh a little, go home a little tired.
But Japan’s status as a rabies-free country comes from decades of dog owners quietly doing this every spring. Your “once a year” effort is absolutely adding up.
Holding a panicking Shiba in my arms, I thought about that for a moment.
Momiji, you drama queen — see you again next year.
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