Travelling with a Pet

Pets

Dogs and cats can come too

This is a house in an ordinary Osaka neighbourhood that happens to welcome pets — not a pet hotel. But it was set up by someone who spends her working life with dogs, so the basics are already here and the river bank is a minute from the door.

A toilet tray, bowls, pee pads and odour-proof bags are waiting for you, which means rather less in the suitcase.

More about your host →

Before you book

• Tell us you’re bringing a pet when you book. We’re not able to accept pets that weren’t mentioned in advance.
• Please treat your pet for fleas and ticks before you travel.
• We don’t have crates or carriers. Bring your own if you use one.
• For cats, bring your own litter tray — the one they’re used to.
• If you’re travelling with a large dog, please get in touch first. The house is 43 m², so we’d like to hear a little about your dog before you book.
• The pet fee changes with the season. Please check the current amount on Airbnb or Booking.com.

What’s already here

• Toilet tray
• Bowls
• Pee pads
• Odour-proof bags
• Sanitising spray
• Wet wipes
• Cloths
• A lead hook by the front door
• Lint roller

If any of the consumables run out, we’d be grateful if you could pick up more yourself.

While you’re staying

• If your pet has accidents, please use a belly band or pet nappy.
• Wipe their paws before coming inside — there are wipes by the front door.
• Please keep pets off the beds upstairs. If there’s really no other way, they may sleep with you on the sofa bed downstairs.
• Please try not to leave your pet alone in the house.
• Waste goes into an odour-proof bag and then into the burnable rubbish. Please don’t flush it.

Keeping them safe

• There are stairs inside the house — watch for falls.
• Stay with them when they’re out on the balcony.
• Keep small swallowable objects out of reach.

Damage and liability

• In the case of serious soiling or damage, we may charge for cleaning or repairs.
• We can’t accept responsibility for accidents, injuries, illness or disputes involving pets during your stay. Pets remain the owner’s responsibility.

We hope all of you — every member of the family — have a restful stay.

Out with your dog

The river bank is a minute away and makes for a good walk at either end of the day. Beyond that, here’s what we’ve been able to confirm.

We’ve listed only places whose own websites state their pet rules. Those rules do change, so please check with the place before you set off.

Cafés and restaurants that take dogs

• CAFE & BAR VinVinBAL — 30 seconds from Hanshin Amagasaki Station. Terrace seats only. The closest option if you’re travelling by train.
• GARB weeks, Nakanoshima — inside Nakanoshima Park. Terrace only, up to two small dogs. A café mat is required if they sit on a chair.
• &ISLAND NAKANOSHIMA — on the Dojima riverside. Terrace only; use a café mat if they’re up on a seat.
• TERRE-á-S, Kyobashi — across the river from Osaka Castle Park. Terrace only. Rabies and combination vaccinations within the past year are required; their rules are set out in full on their website.
• Kushikatsu Yokozuna, Shinsekai — right by Tsutenkaku. Terrace only, lead required. For owners who want something unmistakably Osakan.
• Little Amie, Sonoda, Amagasaki — better by car; no car park, coin parking nearby. Large dogs are welcome on the terrace; small dogs may come inside if carried.
• Riviere, Mukonoso, Amagasaki — better by car, has parking. Dogs are welcome on the terrace at this roomy suburban café.

Dog runs

• GRASS DOG&CAT Tenshiba — beside Tennoji Station. 10:00–19:00 (to 20:00, June–September). Vaccination and rabies certificates must be uploaded to the Wan!Pass app first. Easy to fit into a day of sightseeing.
• Osaka Maishima Dog Walking — by car, weekends and holidays only, 11:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00). A wide run on natural grass. First visit needs membership (¥1,000 a year); ¥1,000 per hour for the first dog. Rabies and combination vaccination certificates from within the past year required.
• Nishimuko Park Dog Run, Amagasaki — by car, free, 9:00–18:00. Separate areas for small and larger dogs. Free, but you must register in advance; it’s a trial facility, so check the latest information.
• Suminoe Park Dog Run — by train, free, but registration in advance is required. You’ll need your dog’s licence, rabies and vaccination certificates and photos. Not somewhere you can simply drop into — best for longer stays.

Day care, while you sightsee

Some places simply can’t take dogs — castle keeps, aquariums. These will look after yours by the hour. All of them need a booking and vaccination records.

• ONE LUKE Shin-Osaka — beside Shin-Osaka Station, 9:00–20:00. One to nine hours; ¥1,100 on the standard plan for dogs up to 4 kg. The simplest option if you just need a few hours.
• Dyplus OSAKA KITA, Tenmabashi — reception 9:00–20:00. Takes large dogs by the hour: three hours is ¥3,300 small, ¥3,630 medium, ¥3,960 large.
• Osaka Animal Medical Center, Minami-Horie — Shinsaibashi area, 9:00–19:00. Attached to a veterinary clinic. Half a day (1–10 hours) is ¥1,925 for cats and small dogs, ¥2,200 medium, ¥3,575 large. Reassuring for older pets or those on medication.
• GRASS DOG&CAT Tenshiba — also minds dogs while you shop or eat; ask them for the rates.

Places you can walk together

• Grand Green Osaka (Umekita Park) — about 10 minutes to Umeda, then a short walk. On a lead or carried; long leads aren’t allowed. Rules differ from lawn to lawn, so check the signs.
• Nakanoshima Park — rose garden and riverside paths. It gets busy, so carrying them, or a short lead, is the safer choice.
• Osaka Castle Park — outdoors yes, inside the keep no. On a lead; please take any mess away with you.
• Utsubo Park, Honmachi and Horie — on a lead. A quiet green walk in the middle of the city.
• Tennoji Park “Tenshiba” — beside Tennoji Station, walkable on a lead, with the dog run right there.
• Sukunahikona Shrine, Kitahama — an easy detour from Nakanoshima. You can walk the grounds together; carry them when it’s crowded.
• Amagasaki no Mori Central Green Space — by car, free parking for 1,000 cars. Pets welcome throughout on a lead, and the lawns are enormous.
• Amagasaki Agricultural Park — by car, open 24 hours, parking ¥400 a day. An open-air park that takes pets; good for an early or late walk.

Where pets can’t go — worth knowing first

• Expo ’70 Commemorative Park does not admit pets (assistance dogs excepted). It can’t be part of a trip with your dog.
• Pets can’t go inside Osaka Castle’s keep (assistance dogs excepted), though the park outside is fine. If you want to climb it, arrange day care first.
• Kaiyukan admits dogs only fully inside a carrier, no larger than 50 × 30 × 30 cm. The fourth-floor café is off limits.
• Every dog run asks for vaccination certificates, and Suminoe and Nishimuko parks also require registration in advance.