As of January 2026
1. Feed and Bedding
Feed, supplements, and bedding for use in Japan will be provided by the JRA. Selections must be made from the 'LIST OF FEED AVAILABLE IN JAPAN' (provided separately) and submitted to the JRA Representative Office in advance. The importation of external feed and supplements that cannot be substituted by products on the list may be permitted only if all of the following conditions are met:
a) “Feed Exportation Form for Travelling to Japan,” which is an application form for Bringing in feed, etc., has been filled out and submitted with “LIST OF FEED AVAILABLE IN JAPAN,” to JRA in advance for approval.
b) The feed and/or supplements were given to Horses regularly and right up to until arrival in Japan.
c) Compound feed and supplements must be unopened and each product should be of the same Lot and/or Batch numbers with the date of manufacture.
If the above requirements cannot be met, the feed and/or supplements intended to use must undergo prior physico-chemical tests by the Laboratory of Racing Chemistry (LRC).
If prohibited or restricted drugs are detected in the pre-race testing and are suspected to be derived from the feed or the supplements brought into Japan, Trainers cannot use their carried-in feed and supplements other than those which have already passed prior physico-chemical tests conducted by the LRC.
The feed and bedding used during airfreight travel must be disposed of upon arrival at the airport in Japan. Any other feed (without prior notification and approval by the JRA) brought into the country must be kept in the JRA Custody until after the race.
2. Quarantine Precautions for Feed Imports
If Connections wish to import feed or supplements for their Horse to Japan, they may be required to obtain a phytosanitary certificate issued by the relevant government authorities of their country. In addition, upon arrival in Japan, feed or supplements must be cleared by Animal and Plant Quarantine Station and Customs. Please note that it may take time to go through these procedures.
Therefore, if Horses must have feed or supplements that cannot be replaced by the JRA provisions mentioned in ” List of Feed Available in Japan ”, please contact the JRA Representative Office as far in advance as possible. Failure to provide timely notification may result in an inability to use the feed or supplements immediately upon arrival.
3. Water
All JRA facilities are furnished with complete water and sewerage service. The water from the waterworks is potable water, which more than satisfies the standards prescribed by law.
The quality of water is soft compared to North America and Europe.
