An Expat Guide on Living Comfortably with Pets in Japanese Apartments
Moving to Japan with pets is a dream for many. The reality, however, is that more than 70% of rental properties in Japan explicitly prohibit pets. For foreigners, language barriers and complex lease terms make the search for pet-friendly apartments in Japan even more challenging. This guide answers the most common questions about keeping pets and renting in Japan, so you and your pet can get settled with as little stress as possible.
Question 1: Can Foreigners Own Pets in Japan?
Yes, foreigners can own pets in Japan, but the country has strict regulations around pet ownership and all owners must comply with local laws:
- Lifelong ownership obligation: Japanese law prohibits abandoning pets. Violations can result in fines and in serious cases, imprisonment
- Dog registration: Dogs must be registered at the local municipal office within 30 days of acquisition, or within 91 days of birth. The registration fee is approximately ¥3,000. Upon registration, a dog tag (犬鑑札) is issued and must be worn on the dog's collar at all times
- Annual rabies vaccination: Dogs must receive a rabies vaccination every year and the owner must notify the municipal office. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to ¥200,000
- Mandatory microchipping: Since June 2022, Japan requires all cats and dogs to be microchipped and registered with the Ministry of the Environment database, including pets obtained through adoption or non-commercial means
If you hold a tourist visa or a short-stay visa of 90 days or less, keeping a pet in Japan is not feasible in practice. All pet registration, vaccination, and microchipping procedures require a fixed and legally registered address. A long-term residency status such as a work visa, student visa, or working holiday visa is a prerequisite for owning a pet in Japan as a foreigner.
Question 2: Can I Move to Japan With My Pets?
Yes, you can move to Japan with your pets, but the import process is one of the strictest in the world and requires careful advance planning. Japan enforces a rigorous quarantine system to maintain its rabies-free status, and failing to meet the requirements can result in your pet being held in quarantine for up to 180 days at your expense.
Key requirements for moving to Japan with pets include:
- Microchip: Your pet must be implanted with an ISO-standard microchip before any other procedures begin
- Rabies vaccinations: Two valid rabies vaccinations are required, administered after microchipping and meeting specific timing requirements
- Rabies antibody titre test: A blood test conducted at an approved laboratory to confirm sufficient immunity; results must meet Japan's required threshold
- Waiting period: A minimum 180-day wait is required after a passing titre test result before your pet can enter Japan without extended quarantine
- Health certificate: Issued by an accredited veterinarian and endorsed by your country's official authority within a specific timeframe before travel
- Advance notification: You must notify Japan's Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days before arrival
Starting the process at least six to twelve months before your planned move date is strongly recommended to avoid delays or quarantine on arrival.
Question 3: Can You Keep a Pet in a Rental Property in Japan?
Yes, but only if you find a property that explicitly permits pets. Look for listings marked 「ペット可」 (pets allowed) or 「ペット相談可」 (pets negotiable), and ensure you obtain formal written approval from the landlord.
In Japan, keeping a pet without the landlord's written consent is a breach of contract, regardless of your ability to care for the animal responsibly. If discovered, the landlord has the right to demand that you vacate immediately, and you will be liable for all repair and additional cleaning costs.
Question 4: Are There Many Pet-Friendly Rentals in Japan?
Honestly, the options are limited, and foreigners face even greater restrictions when searching for pet-friendly accommodation. Statistics suggest that only around 10 to 20% of apartments available for rent to foreigners across Japan permit pets. Pet-friendly listings in city centres are particularly scarce and tend to command higher rents. Conversely, pet-friendly apartments are more commonly found in suburban areas, where units tend to be more spacious and landlords are generally more open to animals.
Question 5: What City in Japan Has the Most Pet-Friendly Rentals?
Among Japan's major cities, Tokyo offers the widest overall supply of pet-friendly apartments, simply due to the scale of its rental market. That said, the availability of pet-friendly rentals varies significantly by ward and neighbourhood. Areas such as Setagaya, Nerima, and Sumida tend to have a higher concentration of pet-permitted listings compared to more densely populated central wards.
Outside Tokyo, cities such as Osaka, Yokohama, and Fukuoka also have a growing number of pet-friendly apartments in Japan, particularly in suburban residential areas where landlords tend to be more flexible.
Question 6: What Documents Do Foreigners Need to Rent With a Pet in Japan?
Renting in Japan as a foreigner is already more involved than it is for local residents, and planning to keep a pet adds another layer of documentation. You will generally need to prepare two categories of materials:
Standard Rental Documents
- Passport and Residence Card: To verify your legal residency status
- Proof of employment or enrolment: Landlords typically want confirmation of a stable job or student status
- Proof of income or bank records: Payslips, tax records, or a bank balance certificate to demonstrate your ability to pay rent
- Japanese guarantor: Most rentals require a Japanese national to act as guarantor. If you cannot provide one, some properties accept a guarantor company as an alternative
Additional Documents for Pet Owners
- Pet ownership application form: Typically requires a photo along with your pet's breed, age, weight, and coat colour
- Rabies vaccination record: Required for dogs
- Microchip registration certificate
- Pet ownership pledge: A written commitment to comply with building rules, avoid causing inconvenience to neighbours, and accept responsibility for cleaning and repair costs upon moving out
The more complete and clearly presented your documentation, the greater your chances of securing approval to keep a pet.
Question 7: How Much Extra Does It Cost to Rent With a Pet in Japan?
Renting with a pet typically involves higher upfront costs than a standard rental. Common additional expenses include:
- Pet security deposit (敷金): Usually equivalent to one to two months' rent; damage or wear caused by your pet will be deducted upon moving out
- Pet key money (ペット礼金): Typically non-refundable; the amount varies by property
- Additional management fee: Some buildings charge a monthly surcharge for pet-owning tenants to cover shared space maintenance and cleaning
- Move-out cleaning fee: Covers pet hair removal, odour treatment, and any damage to floors or walls
Question 8: How to Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Japan as a Foreigner?
Finding pet-friendly apartments in Japan through major property listing platforms or traditional real estate agencies is possible, but the lengthy screening processes can be discouraging for foreigners. Weave Living, an international property brand, offers a practical alternative to the traditional rental process. With no key money, no agency fees, and a straightforward online application, it removes much of the complexity typically involved in finding pet-friendly apartments in Japan as a non-Japanese speaker.
✔ Flexible tenancy terms: Furnished units available from 1 to 18 months; unfurnished units from 12 to 36 months
✔ No key money, no agency fees
✔ Straightforward online application and signing process
✔ Flexible pet policy: Selected properties accept multiple pets or medium-sized dogs
Weave Living's pet-friendly apartments in Japan currently span several well-connected Tokyo neighbourhoods including Ueno, Nerima, Sumida, and Setagaya, covering a range of lifestyles from lively urban living to quieter residential settings. For foreigners moving to Japan with pets, Weave Living's all-in-one move-in experience offers a reassuring and genuinely welcoming option.