How to Visit Yoyogi Dog Run (The Best Dog Park in Tokyo)
Let’s talk about my favorite dog-related activity in Tokyo. And no, it’s not visiting the Hachiko statue, going to a dog café, or renting a dog (yes, people actually do this!). If you’re a dog lover visiting Tokyo and you take one piece of advice from this blog, let it be visiting the Yoyogi Park Dog Run! It’s worth a visit even if you don’t have a dog and just want to watch cute Japanese dogs running around—many of them in full-on outfits. And if you plan on actually entering with your dog, keep reading to learn how the registration process works because the dog run is members only.
What Makes Yoyogi Park Dog Run So Special?
Located in the Shibuya district in central Tokyo, Yoyogi Park is a little wooded oasis where you can take a break from the busy streets and have a stroll or a picnic. The two times I’ve visited this gorgeous place were in spring for the cherry blossoms and fall for the autumn leaves. You might also recognize Yoyogi in guide books as the location where the famous rockabilly dancers gather on Sundays. But let’s talk about the amazing dog run tucked away in the northern part of the park.
We actually first stumbled upon this dog park in spring 2024, before becoming dog owners ourselves. We were so charmed by all the happy dogs playing under the cherry blossoms that we joked about bringing our future dog here. As fate would have it, we ended up adopting our chihuahua a year later, so he got to come along when we returned in fall 2025. Can you tell we’re obsessed with Japan?
Instead of the average dog park that might have smelly odors or dog poop everywhere, Yoyogi Dog Run is a lovely wooded area with impressive organization. The area has three fenced-off sections that divide dogs by size. If you have a small dog like we do, you can imagine what a relief it is to know your dog won’t be trampled by bigger dogs. The park is also super clean and doesn’t smell at all, thanks to its strict rules and the fact that it’s for registered users only.
How Do You Become a Member of Yoyogi Park Dog Run?
If you just want to watch the dogs from outside the fence, there’s no need to register. But if you plan on actually entering with your dog, you’ll need to complete the mandatory registration beforehand, which I’ll get into now.
You can find the application and instructions on the Yoyogi Dog Run website, but the site is in Japanese, so you’ll need to translate your broswer if you don’t read Japanese.
We found the online registration a little daunting as foreigners, especially because the requirements ask for a Japanese rabies vaccination tag. We decided to walk into the park service center and register in person, where a friendly staff member helped us through the process. If you’re traveling with a dog from abroad, bring all your dog’s vaccination and import paperwork and use a translation app if you don’t speak Japanese.
When we registered, it took about a week for our registration to come through, which was a little disappointing. It seems like the process these days isn’t necessarily as simple as some older Google reviews claim it is. The actual dog run has a gated entrance that requires a PIN code, so you can’t simply walk in without registering.
Once your registration is approved, you can visit all 12 Tokyo Metropolitan Park dog runs:
- Sakuragaoka Park
- Jindai Botanical Gardens
- Shinozaki Park
- Osanai Park
- Roka Koshun-en Garden
- Komazawa Olympic Park
- Johoku-Chuo Park
- Mizumoto Park
- Toneri Park
- Yoyogi Park
- Kiba Park
- Koganei Park
What Are the Rules at Yoyogi Park Dog Run?
There is quite a long list of rules, which probably explains why the dog run is in such good condition. Obviously your dog must be registered, and to do that it must be at least four months old and have up-to-date rabies papers. Your registration card must be visible while you're inside the dog run.
The dog run is divided into three weight-based areas: an extra-small dog area for dogs up to 5 kg (11 lbs), a small/medium area for dogs up to 12 kg (26 lbs), and a medium/large area for dogs 10 kg (22 lbs) and over. Dogs that are sick, in heat, have parasites, are aggressive or dangerous to others aren’t allowed. You also need to keep an eye on your dog at all times and intervene if they're bothering any other dogs.
There are also some surprisingly strict rules about what you can't bring into the dog run: no food or treats, toys or balls, dog carts, chairs, or other equipment. You can't eat, drink, smoke, brush, or wash your dog inside, and you must clean up after your dog and rinse away pee—which is quite common in Japan. Owners carry around dog pee spray bottles for this exact purpose!
We know that might sound like a lot of rules to follow, especially with the registration process. But we promise that it’s worth it to watch your dog socialize and have a blast with some local pups!
Stay tuned for future posts about dog-friendly activities in Tokyo and our Japan with a dog guides coming soon. Happy traveling! 🐾