Bringing a cat or dog into your Tokyo life is absolutely doable, but the first weeks can feel like a maze: rental listings full of unfamiliar symbols, a registration rule for dogs that nobody quite explains, and a vet search entirely in Japanese. Take a breath. None of it is as hard as it looks once you know the shape of things, and this guide walks you through housing, the legal basics for dogs, vets, and everyday etiquette so you can settle in with your companion.
Finding pet-friendly housing
Most Tokyo rentals do not allow pets by default, so you are looking for two labels on listings and with agents. Knowing what they mean saves a lot of wasted viewings:
- ペット可 (petto ka) — pets allowed. The building permits pets, though there are almost always limits on type, size, and number.
- ペット相談可 (petto soudan ka) — pets negotiable. Not automatically allowed; the landlord will consider it case by case, so ask before you fall in love with the place.
- ペット共生 (petto kyousei) — purpose-built pet-friendly buildings with features like paw-washing sinks; rarer and often pricier.
- Always confirm the house rules in writing: which animals, how many, weight or breed limits, and whether there is an extra deposit (敷金) or a non-refundable cleaning fee for pets.
- Cats are sometimes restricted even in 'pet OK' buildings, so name your specific animal when you ask.
The legal basics for dogs
If you have a dog, two things are legal requirements in Japan, not optional extras. They apply to everyone, residents and foreign residents alike.
- Register your dog with your city or ward. Registration is a once-in-a-lifetime step done at your local office, and your dog receives a metal tag (鑑札) to wear.
- Keep the rabies vaccination current. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies every year, and you receive a vaccination tag (注射済票) to attach to the collar.
- Microchips: dogs and cats bought from a breeder or pet shop after June 2022 come microchipped, and you register the chip with the national Ministry of the Environment database. If you already had your pet before then, the chip is encouraged but not mandatory.
Dog registration and the annual rabies vaccination are legal obligations under Japan's Rabies Prevention Law, and skipping them can carry a fine. Fees and exact steps differ by ward, so do not rely on a number you read in a forum — look up your own city or ward's official '犬の登録・狂犬病予防' page (linked below) or ask at the counter.
Vets, etiquette, and where pets come from
- Finding a vet (動物病院, doubutsu byouin): there are clinics in nearly every neighbourhood. Search the Japanese term plus your station name, read reviews, and call ahead — some appreciate a heads-up that you prefer English. Keep your vaccination records handy.
- Walking etiquette: keep your dog leashed in public, carry a bag and pick up after it, and bring a small bottle of water to rinse where your dog pees. This 'leave no trace' habit is taken seriously here.
- Where dogs can and cannot go: most parks allow leashed dogs, but many station areas, shops, and restaurants do not. Look for a ドッグラン (dog run) — fenced off-leash parks, some free and some paid — for a proper romp.
- Pet shops vs. adoption: pet shops are everywhere, but you can also adopt a rescue dog or cat. Tokyo's Animal Welfare Center ('Wan Nyan Tokyo') and local shelters rehome animals through an application and matching process — a meaningful, lower-cost path to a companion.
- Do I really have to register my dog if I'm only here a year or two?
- Yes — registration and the annual rabies vaccination are legal requirements for any dog kept in Japan, regardless of how long you plan to stay. It is a quick step at your ward office; check their official page for what to bring.
- My building says ペット相談可 — can I keep a cat?
- Maybe. 'Negotiable' means the landlord decides case by case, and some allow dogs but not cats, or set a size or number limit. Ask specifically about your animal and get the agreed rules in writing before signing.
- Is it cheaper to adopt than to buy from a pet shop?
- Usually, yes. Adopting from Tokyo's Animal Welfare Center or a shelter typically costs far less than a pet shop and gives a rescue animal a home. There is an application and matching process, so start early.
