Living with a Dog in Japan: Basic Rules and Manners
Contents
If you live in Japan with a dog, or plan to, there are a few basic rules and manners you should know. Some are legal duties. Others are everyday customs that help dog owners and neighbors get along.
Please read this first: this post is a general overview written by someone who lives in Sapporo. It is not legal advice, and I am not an expert. Rules are set by the national government, by your city, and by each company, and they can change. Details can vary from city to city. Always check the official pages linked below, or ask your city office. For anything about your dog’s health, consult your veterinarian.
Also, this post is about living with a dog inside Japan. It does not cover bringing a dog into Japan from abroad. For that, please see the official Animal Quarantine Service page on importing dogs and cats.
Registration and rabies vaccination
Japan has a law called the Rabies Prevention Act. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) explains that, under this law, dog owners have three basic duties:
| Duty | In simple words |
|---|---|
| 1. Register your dog | Register your dog with the city, town, or village where you live (once in the dog’s lifetime) |
| 2. Annual rabies vaccination | Have your dog get a rabies shot once a year |
| 3. Attach the tags | Put the dog’s registration tag and vaccination tag on your dog (for example, on the collar) |
Source: MHLW rabies page (Japanese).
A few more points about timing:
- Owners must register a dog within 30 days of getting it. If the dog was 90 days old or younger, the 30 days start when it passes 90 days old.
- April to June each year is the rabies vaccination period.
Sources: MHLW rabies Q&A (Japanese) and the text of the Rabies Prevention Act, Article 4 (Japanese, MHLW database). The City of Sapporo’s page also notes that registration is needed only once in a dog’s lifetime, while the rabies shot is every year.
How you actually register, where you go, what it costs, and how you get the tags depends on your city. If you live in Sapporo, the City of Sapporo has a page on dog registration and rabies vaccination (Japanese). It also explains what to do when you move or when other details change. If you live in another city, search for your city’s official page or ask at your local city office.
If you need help reading Japanese pages, Sapporo has a foreign language page with machine translation. Note that the city itself says machine translation may not always be accurate, so for important points, it is a good idea to ask the city office directly.
Microchips
Japan also has a national system for microchip registration for dogs and cats. It is run under the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has official information about it.
In simple terms, the MOE explains that since June 1, 2022, breeders and pet shops have been required to microchip dogs and cats and register them before selling them. If you get a dog that already has a microchip, there may be things you need to register, such as a change of owner.
The exact rules depend on how you got your dog and on your situation, so I won’t try to explain every case here. Please check the official pages:
- MOE: Microchip registration for dogs and cats (Japanese)
- Microchip registration system, English page (the official registration site)
How microchip registration connects to dog registration at your city can also depend on where you live. Your city’s dog page is the best place to check.
Walking manners
Beyond the law, there are everyday manners that most dog owners in Japan try to follow. Many cities also have their own rules and guidance. Here are some common ones, explained in general terms.
| Manner | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Use a leash | Keep your dog on a leash in public places. Don’t let your dog run free. |
| Pick up poop | Always carry bags and take your dog’s poop home with you. |
| Rinse pee | Many owners carry a bottle of water and pour it where their dog peed, especially near houses, walls, and shops. |
| Ask before greeting | Not everyone likes dogs, and some people are afraid of them. Ask before letting your dog approach people or other dogs. |
| Think about barking | Many people live close together. Barking can become a problem for neighbors. |
| Keep paths clear | On narrow sidewalks, keep your dog close so others can pass. |
For Sapporo, the city has a page about how to keep dogs and cats and good owner manners (Japanese). It explains rules about leashes and cleaning up after your dog, and it has advice about barking. If you live in another city, check your own city’s page, because local rules can be different.
Trains, buses, shops, and cafes
This is where rules vary the most.
Trains and buses. Rules for pets are set by each railway or bus company. In general, many companies only allow small pets if they are fully inside a carrier, and some charge a fee. But this is not the same everywhere. Before you travel, check the official website of the company you plan to use.
Shops. Many shops in Japan don’t allow dogs inside, except assistance dogs (guide, hearing, and service dogs). Some pet-friendly shops do allow dogs, sometimes only in a carrier or a cart. If you are not sure, ask the staff before you enter.
Cafes and restaurants. Some places welcome dogs, for example on a terrace or in a special area. Others don’t. Each place has its own rules, so check in advance.
Parks. Rules can be different for each park, such as whether dogs are allowed in certain areas. Look for signs at the park, or check the official information from the park or the city.
I don’t recommend specific places on this site for now. When in doubt, check the official information or ask directly.
Where to find official information
Here are the official pages I mentioned in this post, in one place.
| Topic | Official page | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies and owners’ duties | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Rabies | Japanese |
| Rabies Q&A | MHLW: Rabies Q&A | Japanese |
| Rabies Prevention Act (law text) | MHLW database: Rabies Prevention Act | Japanese |
| Microchips | Ministry of the Environment: Microchip registration | Japanese |
| Microchip registration site | Registration system of microchip information | English |
| Sapporo: dogs and cats | City of Sapporo: Animal management (dogs and cats) | Japanese |
| Sapporo: registration and rabies | City of Sapporo: Dog registration and rabies vaccination | Japanese |
| Sapporo: owner manners | City of Sapporo: Keeping dogs and cats, and manners | Japanese |
| Sapporo: foreign residents | City of Sapporo: Foreign language page | Multiple |
| Bringing a dog into Japan | Animal Quarantine Service: Import and export of dogs and cats | English |
Living with a dog in Japan is not difficult once you know the basics. Check the official pages, follow local manners, and ask your vet about health. Then you can enjoy daily life together.
FAQ
Do I need to register my dog in Japan?
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, dog owners must register their dog with the city where they live (once in the dog’s lifetime), have the dog vaccinated against rabies once a year, and attach the tags to the dog. For how to do this in your area, check your city’s official page or ask your city office.
When is the rabies vaccination period?
The MHLW Q&A says that April to June each year is the rabies vaccination period. Your city may send information about it. For details where you live, check your city’s page, and talk to your veterinarian about your dog.
Can I take my dog on trains or buses in Japan?
It depends on the company. In general, many companies only allow small pets in a carrier, but rules and fees are different for each one. Always check the official website of the railway or bus company before you travel.