Pets in Japan

[chichi]

I am moving to Tokyo and can not leave without my beloved dog. Yes, thats right I am a obsessed freak!!!! How hard will it be for me to find accomadation.

[kuro_kitty]

I wanted to bring my beloved pet tiger, but was told he'd need to be quarantined for 3 months before he could come live with me....

You shouldn't have a major problem finding pet-friendly accommodation, I'd just double check that quarantine rule first.

[Emil Minty]

I showed my host family picture of my beloved pooch Stimpy and they said he looked 'oishiso'

Glad I didn't bring him really.

[Emil Minty]

I showed my host family picture of my beloved pooch Stimpy and they said he looked 'oishiiso'

Glad I didn't bring him really.

[chichi]

Are you saying that they wanted to eat Stimpy?????

[sasukene]

I am moving to Tokyo and can not leave without my beloved dog. Yes, thats right I am a obsessed freak!!!! How hard will it be for me to find accomadation.

There are places that accept pets, but you cut down your options greatly if you have one. Also being a gaijin cuts down your options as well. I really don't know which is worse in the eyes of a Japanese real estate agent or dwelling owner! Dog or gaijin?

My wife and I just found a house that accepted our small dog. It is old but clean and perfectly livable. But be prepared to pay at least one, or even two extra months rent as a deposit. The rents tend to be higher as well and there is less of a chance to talk down the key money etc.

Good luck!

[Emil Minty]

Are you saying that they wanted to eat Stimpy?????

They were nice people and wouldn't have done that. If they saw Stimpy at the market though........

[Unicorn]

Quarantine will probably be long. I think you will have to pay for food etc too during this time. Vets can also be costly. Just getting a rabies shot will be US$20. When we take our dog in for her annual checkup, the visit is over US$250. Food also is relatively expensive, as is the litter.
On the average (vet visits, food, pet litter sheets) I would say our corgi costs us close to US$150 a month. In the way of accomodation, I think you will find apartments accepting small sized dogs and cats but as someone said, usually the apartment will be a bit more expensive and the options limited. Wish you luck, though as I know how hard it is to give up a furry family member!

[isis]

They were nice people and wouldn't have done that. If they saw Stimpy at the market though........

What market are you referring to?
Are you even in Japan?
Now if Stimpy was a horse…

(Dogs aren’t usually eaten in Japan. I say not usually because there are isolated instances where they have been chowed down on.)
Sorry to destroy your incorrect stereotype.

isis

[Unicorn]

Japanese say "Aka inu ga oishii" (Red dogs are tasty). I suppose they mean brownish dogs although I really don't think fur color has an influence on taste as I have never ever eaten dog!

[madeira]

Quarantine is 24 hours, as long as your pet has the required shots/paperwork.
Dogs may need to be microchipped. Call Animal Quarantine Services.
Quarantine is free, but you need to provide food. Now that it's only 24 hrs, you should be able to feed your animal yourself... and not pay a company to do it.

Both Dave's ESL and Being-a-broad have threads on pets. A pet-friendly real estate agency is in there somewhere.... I can't remember the name right now..

[Unicorn]

http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/english/

The government site with regulations about quarantine.