Want to Raise a Pet in Japan? Here's What You Need to Know
In countries all over the world, it's common for people to have pets as part of their families. Depending on what country you are from, having multiple pets running (or possibly flying) around your house or apartment may be normal. But while you may see many pets in Japan, you may be surprised to learn that owning a pet is actually not as common in Japan as it is in other countries for a variety of reasons.
That being said, owning a pet is steadily becoming a more normal part of Japanese culture. And as pets are becoming more integral family members in Japan, it is becoming easier to provide them all the comforts and luxuries you would in other countries.
Even so, there are important things you should take into consideration if you are planning to buy or adopt a pet in Japan, or if you are moving to Japan and intend to bring your pet with you from overseas. So let's take a look at what you need to know if you want to have a furry friend as part of your family in Japan.
Pet Culture in Japan
There's a lot to know about pet culture in Japan that may be similar or different to that of your home country, so let's dive into some important points about pets in Japan.
・Pet Size Matters
In general, living space in Japan is very limited unless you are wealthy or living deep in the countryside. Apartments and houses are generally smaller than what you might find in countries like the United States, and usually even houses won't have backyards or front yards where pets can run around.
This means that especially in large cities like Tokyo, small dogs and cats are far more common pets than medium or larger dogs. If you're walking around Tokyo, expect to see many more toy poodles and chihuahuas than golden retrievers. The reality is that many places in Japan just don't have the space needed to house large dogs comfortably, and some "pet-friendly" apartments may not even allow you to keep a large dog, so keep that in mind if you're thinking about buying a dog or bringing one with you.
・People Always Clean Up After Their Pets
Pet owners in Japan tend to be very good about cleaning up after their pets, both inside and outside the home. In fact, it is very rare in Japan to see dog droppings on city streets.
If you have a dog and live in an apartment or a house that doesn't have a garden, you can buy large, absorbent odor-blocking pads that your pet can use to relieve themselves, hopefully stopping them from doing so in other parts of the house.
Outdoors, people are very careful about always cleaning up after their dogs when out for walks. You will often see dog owners carrying both plastic baggies to pick up after their pets as well as bottles of water to pour over the area where their dog did their business (no matter what kind of business it was) to further clean up that spot. It's one way that people in Japan show respect for others who may use those sidewalks or roads.
・There are Tons of Ways to Pamper Your Pets
As having pets has become more common in Japan, so too have the number of ways that you can make your pet feel like a prince or princess.
There are many high-quality pet foods available, tons of stores that sell pet clothes and other goods, and it is very common to see grooming salons where you can take your pet to get a trim or makeover. There are also starting to be more pet-friendly cafes where you can relax with your pet. While these places may not be as widespread as in other countries, and concentrated more in big cities like Tokyo or Osaka, you can absolutely find places to relax and have fun with your pets.
・Vets and Kennels Have Different Names
If you are searching for a vet or trying to find a kennel to keep your pet while you take a trip, you may have a hard time finding one if you are specifically searching for "kennel" or "vet."
In Japan, veterinarian clinics are usually referred to as "animal hospitals."
As for kennels, you'll want to leave your furry companion at a "pet hotel."
That being said, if you search online for veterinarians or kennels the right results should pop up. Just don't be surprised by the names!
・No Pets Allowed in Stores?
In Japan, just like in some foreign countries, many restaurants, grocery stores, and so on don't allow pets inside unless they are service dogs. You'll need to either leave your pet at home or tie it to a post outside if you plan on going to these places.
Can You Have Pets in Apartments in Japan?
If you are planning to have a pet in Japan, there is one big obstacle that you will face: where can you live with your pet?
In Japan, the reality is that it is difficult to find rental properties where pets are allowed. While in other countries the norm may be for pets to be allowed unless explicitly stated otherwise, in Japan the opposite is true.
While it depends on the building, it is possible for condominiums full of apartments you can buy to not allow pets as well. This means that even though you may own the apartment you live in, the apartment management company or the other residents of the building have decided that they don't want any pets in the building.
As we mentioned earlier, some "pet-friendly" apartment buildings are only friendly to some pets, meaning that they may, for example, only allow you to keep one small dog. Some apartments may not allow cats or more than one pet, so even if an apartment is "pet-friendly" you need to confirm to what extent they allow pets.
If, for some reason, you are thinking about having a pet in your apartment where pets are not allowed, it's probably a good idea to think again. It's likely that if other residents in the building notice that you are keeping a pet, you will be reported to the building owner. You may be evicted, have to pay a penalty, or be charged for cleaning the property.
But don't feel discouraged reading all this! It is absolutely possible to find apartment buildings that will allow you to have pets, just know that you'll need to take time to find these places. You may be faced with a situation where your ideal location (based on distance from your job, neighborhood, schools, and so on) may only have a limited number of buildings that allow for pets, so you won't have as many options as in the case of not having any pets.
Veterinarians with English-Speaking Staff
Having a sick or injured pet can be a stressful or even scary experience, especially if you are living in a country where you don't speak the language.
Luckily, if you live in the Tokyo area, there are many English-speaking veterinarian options all over the city. We put together a detailed list of some of the best veterinarians with English support available in Tokyo, as well as some tips to make going to the vet in Japan much easier for you if you don't speak Japanese.
Good Luck!
If you decide to get a pet in Japan, there are many pet stores and animal shelters from which you can buy or adopt a pet.
If you are planning on bringing your pet or pets from your home country, make sure that your pets meet all the conditions required to enter Japan, or you may not be allowed to bring them in. You'll need to make sure your pet is microchipped and has all the vaccines, blood tests, and licensing required by the Japanese government, along with the documentation to prove it. This can be a long process, so be sure to take the time to carefully make sure your pet can enter Japan so that you aren't met with heartbreak upon arrival!
Pets can bring so much joy to your life and can be just as much a part of your family as any human can be. While Japan is accepting of pets, their rules and customs may be different from your home country. Now that you know about these differences, the decision to bring your pets from abroad or buy one in Japan should be an easier one.
