Child Vaccinations in Japan: The Schedule, Free Shots & How It Works

Quick answer (30 seconds): Japan has a thorough child-vaccination program, and the "routine" vaccines (teiki sesshu) are publicly funded — effectively free when done on schedule at a participating clinic. Your city/ward sends vouchers/notices, and every shot is recorded in your child's Boshi Techo (Maternal and Child Health Handbook). A few vaccines are "optional" (nin'i sesshu) and paid. Japan's schedule overlaps with but isn't identical to other countries' — so if you arrived from abroad, bring your child's records and the clinic/city will set a catch-up plan. Book at a pediatric clinic and bring the Boshi Techo every time.

Disclaimer: General information, not medical advice. The vaccine schedule, timing, and which shots are routine vs optional change over time — follow the plan from your pediatrician and city/ward office, and consult a doctor for your child's specific situation.

Routine (free) vs optional (paid)

• Routine vaccines (teiki sesshu): recommended on a national schedule and publicly funded by your municipality — effectively free at participating clinics, within the recommended age windows. This is most of the schedule.
• Optional vaccines (nin'i sesshu): still useful, but not publicly funded — you pay (e.g., some flu shots, mumps, and others depending on the year/area).

Your city/ward office sends notices and vouchers for the routine shots — watch for them, and book before the age window closes.

The main routine vaccines

Japan's routine childhood schedule typically includes:

• BCG (tuberculosis)
• DPT-IPV (a four-in-one: diphtheria, pertussis/whooping cough, tetanus, polio)
• MR (measles–rubella)
• Hib and pneumococcal (PCV)
• Hepatitis B
• Rotavirus
• Japanese encephalitis
• HPV (for older children, per the current program)
• (and others — the list and ages are set nationally and updated periodically)

Don't memorize exact ages from a blog — the Boshi Techo and your clinic have the current, personalized schedule. The Japan Pediatric Society publishes the official schedule.

How it works (step by step)

1. Have your child registered as a resident and enrolled in health insurance; you'll already have the Boshi Techo from the pregnancy registration.
2. Your municipality sends vouchers/notices for the routine vaccines around the right ages.
3. Book at a pediatric clinic (many require appointments) and bring the Boshi Techo and voucher every visit.
4. Each shot is recorded in the Boshi Techo — keep it safe; it's the proof of what's been done.
5. With the children's medical subsidy, related visits are often free or very cheap too (see related guide).

Arrived from abroad? Catch-up

If your child was partly vaccinated overseas, Japan's schedule may differ:

• Bring your home-country vaccination records (translated if possible) to the clinic.
• The clinic and your city/ward office will work out a catch-up plan that fits Japan's program and counts what your child already has.
• Don't just restart from zero — share the records so they can credit prior doses.

FAQ

1. Are child vaccinations free in Japan? Routine (teiki) vaccines are publicly funded — effectively free at participating clinics on schedule. Optional (nin'i) ones are paid.

2. Where do I get my child vaccinated? At a pediatric clinic; many require a booking. Bring the Boshi Techo and the voucher from your city each time.

3. What if my child was vaccinated abroad? Bring the records; the clinic and city set a catch-up plan that credits prior doses — you don't start over.

4. Which vaccines are on the schedule? BCG, DPT-IPV, MR, Hib, pneumococcal, hepatitis B, rotavirus, Japanese encephalitis, HPV and more — check the current schedule via the Boshi Techo and your clinic.

5. How are vaccinations recorded? In the Boshi Techo (mother-child handbook) — keep it; it's the official record for daycare, school, and future shots.

Sources

• Japan Pediatric Society — immunization schedule (official): https://www.jpeds.or.jp/modules/en/index.php?content_id=14
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) — immunization / routine vaccination: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/
• Your city/ward office — vaccination vouchers and the local schedule (authoritative for your area)

Related guides

• Pregnancy & the Boshi Techo — the handbook that records every shot
• Children's medical subsidy — free/cheap children's healthcare
• National Health Insurance for foreigners — the base coverage
• How to find an English-speaking doctor — finding a paediatrician

Last updated: 2026-06-19