Getting ready for Japan, the easy way
Tokyo's neon, the temples of Kyoto, ski season in Hokkaido or the rice paddies of the countryside — pop into Davyhulme Pharmacy in Urmston and we'll make sure your travel health is sorted before you fly out of Manchester.
3 current health alerts for Japan
Japan is a wonderfully easy country to travel in, and the good news is that for most visitors it needs far fewer jabs than a trip to South or Southeast Asia. Standards of food, water and healthcare are excellent, so a lot of our advice for Japan is really about making sure your routine UK vaccinations are up to date rather than adding a long list of extras.
That said, a few specific things are worth a thought depending on what you're doing — a city break taking in Tokyo and Kyoto looks different from a summer spent cycling through farmland or a long working stay. Bring a rough itinerary into our Urmston clinic and our pharmacist will give you a straight answer on what's genuinely worth having, with no scaremongering. Around four to six weeks before you fly is ideal, but it's always worth a call even if your trip is closer.
Vaccines to consider for Japan
A general guide only — what's actually right for you depends on your route, the time of year, how long you're away and what you'll be doing, all of which the pharmacist confirms with you.
Most travellers
Tetanus, diphtheria & polio
The mainstay for Japan — a good moment to top up your routine combined booster if it's been ten years or more.
Most travellers
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
Worth checking you've had two doses, as measles still circulates and outbreaks crop up — important for anyone unsure of their childhood jabs.
Some travellers
Hepatitis A
Risk is lower than much of Asia, but it's still considered for longer stays, rural travel or anyone wanting extra peace of mind.
For some trips
Japanese encephalitis
A mosquito-borne risk in rural, rice-growing areas — mainly for longer or repeated countryside stays, especially summer and autumn.
Some travellers
Hepatitis B
Considered for longer stays, healthcare or care work, or if tattoos, piercings, medical procedures or new partners are a possibility.
For some trips
Tick-borne encephalitis
A small risk for walkers and campers in forested parts of Hokkaido — worth a chat if you're heading off-trail in the warmer months.
Some travellers
Typhoid
Only occasionally suggested for Japan, usually for longer or more adventurous trips well off the usual tourist route.
Start with your routine UK jabs
For most people, getting ready for Japan is less about exotic vaccines and more about the basics. The two we check first are your tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster — due every ten years — and whether you've had two doses of MMR, since measles can still circulate and pops up in outbreaks now and then. If you're not sure what you had as a child, that's absolutely fine; bring whatever records you have and we'll help you fill in the gaps. Sorting these out is quick, cheap peace of mind and it's the foundation of a sensible plan for almost any trip.
Japanese encephalitis: who really needs it
Despite the name, Japanese encephalitis is not something most visitors to Japan need to worry about. It's a mosquito-borne infection linked to rural, rice-growing and pig-farming areas, and the risk to a typical city-based traveller doing Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka is very low. It's worth considering if you're spending a longer spell in the countryside, doing a lot of outdoor or rural travel, or going repeatedly — and the risk is highest in the warmer months, roughly summer into autumn, when mosquito numbers peak. The vaccine is given as a short two-dose course, so it's another reason to come and see us in good time. Tell the pharmacist where and when you're going and we'll give you an honest steer.
Mosquitoes, ticks and dengue
There is no malaria in Japan, so antimalarial tablets are not needed anywhere in the country — one less thing to think about. Mosquito-borne dengue is also not a routine concern; only small, occasional local clusters have been reported in the past, so for nearly all travellers it isn't something we'd plan around. The bite to be a little tick-aware of is in forests, particularly in Hokkaido, where tick-borne encephalitis and other tick infections are a small risk for walkers and campers in spring and summer. Simple steps help a lot: cover up on woodland trails, use an insect repellent, and check yourself for ticks after a day outdoors. If hiking or camping in those areas is a big part of your plans, mention it and we'll talk through whether the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is worth it.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Japan?
No — there is no yellow fever in Japan, so you don't need the vaccine to protect yourself there. A certificate only comes into play if you're arriving in Japan after visiting a country where yellow fever is a risk, such as parts of Africa or South America on a multi-stop trip. If you're flying straight from Manchester or anywhere in the UK, a certificate isn't required. If Japan is one leg of a longer journey through other regions, let us know your full route and we'll check the entry rules and timings for you.
Frequently asked questions
For many travellers the main job is making sure your routine UK jabs are current — your tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster, and two doses of MMR. Beyond that, things like hepatitis A or Japanese encephalitis are only considered depending on how long you're away and how much rural or outdoor travel you're doing. We'll go through your trip and tailor it rather than over-vaccinate.
No. Japan is free of malaria, so you won't need antimalarial tablets anywhere in the country. Mosquito-borne dengue isn't a routine worry either — there have only been small, occasional local clusters. The main insect-related thing to be aware of is ticks if you're hiking in forested areas like Hokkaido.
Probably not if you're doing a standard city-and-sightseeing trip — the risk to most visitors is very low. It's mainly considered for longer or repeated stays in rural, rice-growing areas, especially in the warmer months. It's a two-dose course given over a few weeks, so if it does apply to you it's best to start in good time. Tell us your plans and we'll advise honestly.
Around four to six weeks before you travel is ideal, as some vaccines are given as a short course and a few work best with a little time to take effect. If your trip is sooner, don't write it off — there's nearly always something worthwhile we can do, so just give our Urmston clinic a ring on 0161 748 3016.
Yes. Your whole travel consultation and any vaccines are done here at Davyhulme Pharmacy by our pharmacist, so there's no trek into Manchester city centre. Bring your itinerary and any record of past vaccinations and we'll take care of the rest in one visit where we can.
This information is grounded in NHS and TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) guidance and is for general information — not a substitute for a personal consultation. Your travel consultation is carried out by our pharmacist.
Planning a trip to Japan?
Bring your itinerary to Davyhulme Pharmacy in Urmston and we'll sort the right vaccines and advice — book online or call us on 0161 748 3016.