17 Things to Do in Tokyo for Dog Lovers
Having grown up obsessed with Hello Kitty, I already knew Japan was cat crazy, but it turns out their love for dogs runs just as deep. Dogs have long held a special place in Japanese culture, and you can see it all over Tokyo from Hachiko's famous statue to tiny pups in outfits being pushed around in strollers.
If you're traveling with your own dog, Tokyo has a ton of dog-friendly places and activities to check out. So whether you're bringing your pup along or simply want to spend your trip surrounded by dogs, here are 17 things to do in Tokyo for dog lovers. And if you're planning a bigger trip around Japan, stay tuned for my Japan travel itinerary for dog lovers coming soon.
# 1. Get your dog's face on a latte
If you’re missing your dog in Tokyo, you could always try… drinking their face? Specialty coffee shops like HATCOFFEE in Asakusa and Cafe Reissue in Harajuku can turn your pet’s face into latte art! Just show a photo of your furry friend to the barista and get custom 3D or 2D latte art for ¥500–¥1,400 ($4–$9 USD). Be warned, every latte you have after this will seem boring in comparison.
Dog-friendly note: HATCOFFEE is not pet-friendly, but your furry friends are welcome at Cafe Reissue.
# 2. Rent a dog
Leave it to Japan to offer some really unconventional activities you just won’t see elsewhere. This activity goes out to travelers in desperate need of some dog love. Places like Dog Heart — conveniently right next to my favorite park, Yoyogi — actually let you rent a dog! You can either stay inside and cuddle the dogs or opt to take them for a walk in the park. Prices vary depending on how long you want to rent your dog and which breed you choose. While we had our hands full with our own dog, we saw some people walking around with rented dogs that looked like they were having a ton of fun.
# 3. Visit Yoyogi Park Dog Run
My favorite place to take my dog in all of Tokyo has to be the Yoyogi Park Dog Run! If you’re in the Shibuya area, Yoyogi Park is a beautiful place to explore in general, but don’t forget to check out the dog run if you want to see some of the cutest pups in Tokyo running around having fun. There are three sections that separate dogs by size, so you can stand by the fence and dog-watch until your heart’s content. If you want to actually enter with your dog, be sure to read my article on how to become a member, since the dog run requires prior registration. The most scenic times of year to visit are fall for the colorful leaves and spring for the cherry blossoms.
# 4. Visit the Hachiko statue
No dog lover's trip to Tokyo is complete without paying your respects at the Hachiko statue outside Shibuya Station. Hachiko is one of Japan’s most famous dogs, remembered for faithfully waiting outside the station for his owner every day, even after his owner had passed away. His story became a symbol of loyalty and devotion, and today, the statue is one of Shibuya’s most famous meeting spots. If you want a photo with Hachiko, prepare to wait in a long line as this is one of Tokyo's busiest tourist spots. You can also just do what I did and snap a picture from the side if you don't mind having a few people in the background.
# 5. See the taxidermy Hachiko
This one might seem a bit morbid, but if you want to take your Hachiko pilgrimage further, there are many ways. You can actually see Hachiko’s taxidermy body on display at the National Museum of Nature and Science. He can be found on the second floor of the Japan Gallery, right next to Jiro, one of the heroic Sakhalin huskies who miraculously survived abandonment during Japan's 1958 Antarctic expedition.
# 6. Visit Hachiko’s grave
Die-hard Hachiko fans can trek out to Aoyama Cemetery to visit his and his owner's burial site. (Confused after we just mentioned his taxidermied body? Only his internal remains are buried here.) You'll find a monument to his owner, Professor Ueno, plus a small stone stela and shrine honoring Hachiko himself. Locals and pet parents make their pilgramage here and leave flowers, toys, treats, and water bowls for their spirits.
#7. See the Dr. Ueno & Hachiko Reunion Statue
This is the last of the Hachiko activities on this list, I promise! A lesser-known statue that I honestly think is cuter than the crowded one in Shibuya is the Dr. Ueno - Hachiko Reunion Statue located at the University of Tokyo. Professor Ueno taught agricultural engineering at this very university from 1900 to 1925. This joyful monument was erected in 2015 to mark the 80th anniversary of Hachiko's passing.
#8. Visit a dog cafe
Tokyo has no shortage of animal cafés, but if you're a dog person, visiting a dog cafe can be a fun idea, especially if you’re into a particular breed like Shiba Inus, Samoyeds, or Huskies. It's a pretty unique way to meet some of Japan's most popular dogs — especially if you're missing your own pup while traveling.
One of the most famous is the Harajuku Mame Shiba Cafe, right near Takeshita Street, where ¥1,000 to ¥1,300 (roughly $6.50 – $8.50 USD) gets you 30 minutes with the Shibas, including a drink. Since this is a popular activity with no online reservation system, come early to grab a numbered ticket, then return at your assigned time later that day. Children under five aren't permitted, and unfortunately, your own dog will have to sit this one out.
# 9. Visit the Musashi Mitake Dog Shrine
About 90 minutes west of Shinjuku, tucked into the mountains of Okutama, sits Musashi Mitake Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to a wolf deity that's become a pilgrimage for dog owners. Locals reportedly bring their pups here to pray for good health and protection.
While I haven’t ticked this one off my bucket list yet, here’s how to get there from central Tokyo. Take the train to Mitake Station, then catch a Nishi-Tokyo Bus to the Cable-shita bus stop. From there, it's a short walk to Takimoto Station, where you can board the Mitake Cable Car up the mountain. I can’t wait to take my dog here next time I’m in Tokyo and we need some fresh air.
If you don’t have time to go that far, I found another pet shrine in central Tokyo called Ichigaya Kameoka Hachimangu where you can come pray for your pet’s health and longevity and leave a wish on a wooden plaque called an ema.
# 10. Go shopping at Pet Paradise
We stumbled upon Pet Paradise while wandering around Shibuya and obviously had to go in. The store is packed with ridiculously cute dog clothes, harnesses, toys, and accessories. Of course, we had to let Tishka try on some outfits, although the staff only let our dog try on three items before telling us we’d ‘reached the limit,’ which was slightly awkward. Pet Paradise has locations all over Tokyo, so keep an eye out for one while you're exploring the city. This was a fun place to browse for souvenirs.
# 11. Go shopping at Hands
If you want to get all your Tokyo shopping done in one convenient place, let me introduce you to my favorite store: Hands! If you’ve never heard of it, Hands is a giant department store with levels per theme. We visited several but the best one for pet stuff was in Shibuya on the last floor.
Tishka was treated like a little celebrity by the staff, who were so friendly, played with him non-stop, and let us try on as many outfits as we wanted. The manager even came out to take pictures of him for their store Instagram. We found tons of adorable Japanese dog products, from traditional-style garments and accessories to toys, treats, and clothes. We ended up buying a sushi toy that Tishka absolutely loves and a Patagonia-looking fleece vest that has become our favorite piece of dog clothing. And if you're visiting Tokyo from abroad, take advantage of the tax refund after check out (with your passport).
# 12. Meet Japan’s first therapy dog
We've talked a lot about Hachiko, but have you heard of Chirori? She was a rescue who became Japan's first certified therapy dog! Chirori traveled around bringing comfort to elderly and disabled patients across Japan until her death in 2006. I haven't visited her monument yet, but it's definitely on my list. You'll find the bronze statue of Chirori and her puppies in Tsukijigawa-Ginza Park, between Tsukiji and Ginza, along the route she used to walk to a nearby nursing home.
# 13. Look for Tokyo's iconic dog walker
You’ve probably seen pictures of him online: a Japanese man with a contagious smile strolling through Tokyo with 20+ dogs in tow. I’m talking about Nobuaki Moribe, the city’s most famous dog walker and, quite possibly, the man with the best job in the world. He’s known for taking huge packs of dogs out for walks, sometimes as many as 25 at once! If you’re lucky enough to spot him and his furry entourage around Yoyogi or Harajuku, have your camera ready to capture a living legend in action.
# 14. Visit Tokyo’s Dachshund specialty store
Something I love about Tokyo is that no matter what niche you’re into, you can find your community there. And if your niche happens to be Dachshunds, you're in luck! DAX DACHS, located in the Ginza district, is a specialty shop dedicated entirely to Miniature Dachshunds. While I haven’t visited myself, I heard about it from one of my favorite Tokyo dog influencers @togosintokyo, who showed off the cutest pictures of her dog trying on kimonos!
Because standard pet wear rarely fits a dachshund's proportions, they specialize in custom-tailored clothing alongside breed-specific food and supplements. They’re also known for having cute resident doxies that hang out on the shop floor.
#15. Find the giant Dachshund at TAMBURINS
Leave it to Tokyo to randomly have something weird like a 43-foot-long Dachshund inside a perfume store. TAMBURINS Daikanyama flagship is home to SUNSHINE, a massive, incredibly realistic animatronic Dachshund lounging in the middle of the store. I haven't made it here yet, but I’m absolutely going to go see it on my next trip — and it’s dog-friendly! I mean, if you're going to visit a perfume shop in Tokyo, why not make it one with a gigantic, lifelike wiener dog?
#16. Shop at J & K Animals
While researching more fun dog boutiques in Tokyo, I came across the cutest little store called J & K Animals in Harajuku. They’re a tiny specialty dog clothing store that has some of the cutesiest pup clothes I’ve ever seen! Every item is super colorful and looks like a mashup of anime and Paris Hilton-esque dog fashion. It’s worth a visit if you want to shop for some dog apparel you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
# 17. Go to a Tokyo dog event
One of my traditions when traveling with my dog is checking if any cool dog events are happening nearby. Tokyo hosts a number of dog events from breed meetups and seasonal celebrations to huge festivals packed. Here are a few to look out for when planning your trip:
- Shichi-Go-San for Dogs — November 15: Shichi-Go-San is a traditional Japanese celebration held on November 15 for children aged 3, 5, and 7, when families dress up their kids and visit a Shinto shrine to celebrate their healthy growth. These days, some Japanese dog owners have put their own spin on the tradition, dressing their pups in tiny kimonos and bringing them along for a special shrine visit and blessing. If you're in Tokyo around November 15, keep an eye out for pet-friendly Shichi-Go-San events.
- Japan Dog Festa — June & November: A huge outdoor festival dedicated entirely to dogs, where you can spend the day browsing pet shops and food vendors, checking out dog-related products, watching contests, and letting your pup join in on activities. The event is held several times throughout the year, with dates and locations changing, but there is typically a summer edition around June and an autumn edition around November. The 2026 summer event took place in Odaiba in June, so check the official schedule to see if one lines up with your trip.
- Interpets Tokyo — usually spring: Want to see what the future of pet ownership looks like? Head to Interpets at Tokyo Big Sight, one of Japan's biggest pet events. Alongside the usual food, fashion, and pet products, you'll find all kinds of futuristic dog tech, from smart feeders and GPS trackers to pet cameras and AI-powered gadgets. The exact dates change each year, so check the schedule for your travel year.
Okay, I think we've officially established that Tokyo is a pretty great place to be obsessed with dogs. From dog shrines to ridiculously cute pet shops, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate dogs in Tokyo. I've already done quite a few of these with Tishka, but my bucket list just keeps growing. Guess I'll just have to go back! If you're bringing your own dog to Japan, stay tuned for my complete Japan itinerary for dog lovers, coming soon.