Dog Walking in Tokyo: what to know
Tokyo walkers follow local etiquette — short lead, picking up and rinsing — and use dog runs where available. Tell them how your dog reacts to bikes, crowds and other dogs.
Where to walk dogs in Tokyo
- Yoyogi Park — Large central park with a dog run.
- Komazawa Olympic Park — Long paths and a dog run in Setagaya.
- Inokashira Park — Pond-side paths in Kichijoji; dogs on a lead.
- Rivers and canals — Paths along the Meguro, Tama and Sumida rivers.
- Not every garden — Some gardens, such as Shinjuku Gyoen, do not allow pets — check before you go.
Weather and seasons in Tokyo
Tokyo has hot, humid summers often above 35°C, a rainy season in June and July, typhoons in late summer and early autumn, and cold, dry, sunny winters. Asphalt stays hot well into summer evenings.
Planning around the seasons
From July to September, walk early in the morning or late at night, check the asphalt with your hand and keep walks short.
In the rainy season and typhoon season, keep walks short, dry your dog well and plan indoor play for stormy days.
Before you book
Walkers can offer extras such as photo updates, a report card, pick-up from home or an extra 30 minutes — you see what each walker offers before booking.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Dog Walking in Tokyo — FAQ
Is dog walking available in Tokyo?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Tokyo. Because it's a marketplace, the dog walkers you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does dog walking cost in Tokyo?
Dog walkers in Tokyo set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
