Japan can come across as a bit of a pet-un-friendly country, especially considering how only 2%~11% of rental property listings are registered as petto ka or “pet okay”. The reason for this is because many urban Japanese cities are very dense and compact with its residents practically living on top of each other. This results in a lot of noise pollution and pets will only add to this.  

Another reason is the lack of space – Japanese apartments and houses tend to be on the smaller side and often lack a front or a back yard. Outdoor spaces are seen as necessary if one owns a pet, especially a dog.  

However, these restrictions don’t mean that pets are unwelcome; it simply means some planning ahead and research needs to be done in order to ensure that both you and your furry friend have a good time while on the move.  

If you are looking for a place to rent and are bringing a pet, Village House does offer pet-friendly properties. Visit their website to inquire for more details.  

Keep Your Schedule 

Pets, like babies, enjoy and even thrive on routine and tend to become quite grumpy and out of sorts if you deviate from it. Hence, when moving or traveling with a pet, it’s best to try to schedule plans, travel time and activities around their established schedule as best you can. For example, if your pet relieves themselves at 8am and eats breakfast at 9am, schedule your travel time for after. If dinnertime is normally at 7pm, try to ensure you arrive at your destination before that to minimize any disruptions to their routine.  

To easily find pet-friendly properties across Japan, you can search the Village House website while filtering for pet-friendly properties. 

Get Used To 

Change is inevitable and the same could be said for you and your pet’s schedule and routine. When moving with a pet, it’ll take time for your furry friend to acclimatize to their new environment so adhering to their original routines and schedules as much as possible is a good way to slowly help them get used to their new environment.  

Pet Sitter 

If you’re traveling for business or holiday and not making a permanent move, it may be a worthwhile investment to hire a pet sitter for the duration of your trip. That way, your pet will still be able to go about their day without any interruptions to their routine and you’ll be able to go about your trip without having to look for pet-friendly hotels, parks with a dog run, restaurants that allow pets etc.  

One of the easiest ways to move with pets is by car, especially if you own your own. If you have your own car, your pet can travel freely with you to your new destination either in or out of their pet carrier; but if you are renting a car, be sure to check their policies and surcharges on traveling with a pet.  

Private Space 

Having your own private space is not only beneficial for you, but for your furry friend as well. They not only have more space and freedom to run around and explore, but you as the owner won’t have to deal with potentially cranky neighbors and housemates complaining about noise or any damage penalty fees when you move out.  

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• Apartment Friendly Pets
• Do Rental Properties Allow Hamsters as Pets? How to Care for Them and Other Key Points! (Updated for 2025!)
• Owning Pets in Japan