Dogs in Japan

Picture from March 21, 2019. Location: Nasu Animal Park

At first glance, this photo may look like a silly picture of a dog. And it is. But it also isn't. This was taken on a mini bus at an animal park in Nasu. This was the only bus that dogs could also be on. We had to wait for this specific bus to come so that we could, as a family, enjoy our trip. 

Japan is not perfectly dog-friendly, but it is fairly good despite the circumstances. Most apartments do not allow large dogs—my brother had so much trouble finding a place that he could live in with his medium sized dog. However, it is not impossible to live with a dog, even in an apartment. His neighbor owned a dog that was part wolf. 

To plan a trip with a dog is difficult as most places simply do not allow animals to enter—but it is not impossible. For example, on this trip, we rented a cabin that was dog-friendly. She wasn't allowed to enter the bedrooms, but she could roam about in the kitchen and living area, which she thoroughly enjoyed. 

Considering the issues with space, especially in Tokyo, one would think that it would be harder to own a dog in the big city. However, the reality is that there are usually places that are dog-friendly, including stores, parks, and other things. There are plenty of dog parks, and the "home centers" usually allow dogs. This could be due to the tendency for those in Japan to own small dogs. It is much easier to accommodate a toy poodle compared to a Labrador, for example. It is most likely a universal feeling to like dogs or cats (or both), and Japan is no exception. 

What can be said about Japanese society regarding dogs, however, is not just about liking animals. There is apparently a connection between dogs (and other pets) and the declining birthrate. Studies have shown that as birthrate declines and the number of nuclear families does, too, there are fewer and fewer people choosing to have dogs or other pets. Dogs are often companions to children (that is how I grew up), and with fewer children are fewer dogs. Certainly, there are still plenty of dog owners out in Saitama, but it may not be so common to see pets in childless families. It certainly can be noted that with an aging population, taking care of dogs is not easy. They require daily walks and lots of exercise (cats are probably easier in that sense). 

Perhaps this trend is one of the reasons it is not easy to live with dogs here. While it is not terribly difficult to go out with a dog, it certainly is not easy either. As birthrates continue to decline, one can wonder what the fate of dogs and other pets in Japanese society will be. Hopefully there will be more and more people opting to adopt dogs (there are so many of them in dog pounds) regardless of whether they have children. I certainly plan to do so. 

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