Moving to Japan With Pets: The Housing Guide Nobody Wrote

A foreigner in Tokyo recently found what looked like the ideal apartment. Listed as pet-friendly, within budget, good location. They applied with all standard documents plus their dog’s information — a well-trained shiba inu that met the building’s weight limit. Rejected. The management company classified all shibas as medium-sized dogs regardless of actual weight. They even suggested the applicant could reapply “with no pet” — as if abandoning their dog was a reasonable ask.

This story isn’t unusual. “Pet allowed” in Japan is one of the most misleading labels in the rental market. It took one couple five months to find a place that would accept two foreigners and a chihuahua mix. A family with three dogs found exactly two properties in their entire search area. A cat owner was rejected from a pet-friendly building because they “only allow small dogs.” If you’re a foreigner moving to Japan with pets, you’re stacking two of the hardest filters in the market on top of each other.

What “pet allowed” actually means

In Japan, ペット可 (pet-friendly) typically means “we accept some pets, under specific conditions, at our discretion.” The details vary wildly:

Size restrictions. Most pet-friendly apartments only accept small pets (小型). The definition of “small” is set by the management company, not by any standard. A 6kg dog might be fine at one building and rejected at another.

Breed restrictions. Certain breeds are banned regardless of size. Shibas are frequently classified as medium-sized dogs even when they’re technically small. Some buildings ban all Japanese breeds. Others have lists of specific banned breeds.

Species restrictions. “Pets allowed” doesn’t always mean cats. Multiple renters report being rejected because the building accepted dogs but not cats, or vice versa. Cats are often seen as harder on property (scratching, odor) despite dogs being louder.

Number limits. One pet may be fine. Two pets dramatically shrinks your options. A Japanese national returning from abroad with two cats reported that “some landlords were okay with one cat, but immediately said no once they learned she has two cats.”

Size of the building matters. Larger buildings owned by corporations tend to have clearer, more reasonable pet policies. Smaller, individually owned properties are more likely to have arbitrary restrictions or to decide on a case-by-case basis (which often means “no”).

The real numbers

Pet-friendly listings are a small fraction of the market. Estimates from renters suggest around 5-10% of available apartments accept any pets at all. Once you apply the foreigner filter (roughly 15% of Tokyo apartments accept foreigners), the overlap shrinks dramatically. A foreign pet owner may be choosing from 1-2% of the total market.

The financial premium is real too. Expect:

• Pet deposit (ペット敷金): 1-2 months’ additional rent on top of the standard deposit
• Monthly pet surcharge: ¥5,000-10,000/month per pet at some buildings
• Higher base rent: Pet-friendly buildings in desirable areas command a premium because there are so few of them

Use the cost calculator to see how pet deposits affect your total move-in costs. For a full breakdown of every upfront fee, see our complete cost guide.

One foreigner paying premium prices to rent a pet-friendly house owned by a bank summarized it: “We rent a house that’s owned by a bank. All their houses are pet-friendly. They’re definitely priced at the higher end, but with pets that’s just something you have to accept in Japan.”

Dogs vs. cats vs. exotic pets

Dogs face breed and size scrutiny. Small breeds (chihuahuas, toy poodles, miniature dachshunds) have the easiest time. Medium and large breeds face severe restrictions — most pet-friendly apartments explicitly cap at small dogs. One family with two large dogs and one medium dog found only two properties in their search area.

Cats face a different challenge. Many buildings that accept dogs do not accept cats. The perception is that cats scratch walls, create odors, and are harder to clean up after. Cat owners consistently report being surprised when “pet-friendly” buildings reject them.

Multiple pets of any kind are the hardest category. The jump from one to two pets eliminates most options. Three or more pets essentially limits you to houses, not apartments.

How to find a pet-friendly apartment

1. Use specialized search tools

pethomeweb.com lets you search specifically by pet type, breed, size, and number. It’s one of the few resources that goes beyond the basic “pet OK” filter. You can search by dog size categories, whether multiple pets are allowed, and specific building policies.

Standard listing sites (SUUMO, Homes.co.jp, at Home) have a pet-friendly filter, but it’s unreliable. A listing marked ペット可 may still reject your specific pet. Always confirm with the management company before visiting.

2. Target corporate-owned buildings

The same rule that applies to foreigner acceptance applies to pet policies: corporate landlords have standardized, transparent policies. If they say pets are allowed, they mean it. Individual landlords are more likely to have unwritten restrictions or to change their minds during the application process.

Look for properties managed by major companies — Mitsui Fudosan Residential, Daiwa Living, Leopalace21 (though quality varies), and others. Their policies are published and consistent.

3. Consider UR housing

Some UR housing units allow pets. UR can’t discriminate against foreigners, and their pet policies are clearly stated per building. The combination of no discrimination and transparent pet rules makes UR worth checking even if availability is limited.

4. Look at houses, not just apartments

Standalone houses (一戸建て) have more flexible pet policies because there are no shared walls, elevators, or common spaces to worry about. They’re also more likely to accept larger dogs and multiple pets. The tradeoff is usually location — houses in central Tokyo are expensive, but in outer wards like Adachi or areas in Kanagawa and Saitama, they’re surprisingly affordable.

5. Prepare your pet’s documentation

If you’re importing pets to Japan, the quarantine process takes months of advance planning — rabies vaccinations, microchipping, blood titer tests, and a 180-day waiting period. Start this well before you start apartment hunting. Several renters report that completing the pet import process is actually harder than finding the apartment.

For apartment applications with existing pets in Japan, prepare:

• Pet’s breed, weight, and age
• Vaccination records
• Registration certificate
• Photos (some management companies request these)
• Any training certifications or behavioral references

6. Budget for the premium

Add 1-2 months’ rent to your expected move-in costs for the pet deposit. Budget an extra ¥5,000-10,000/month for potential pet surcharges. And accept that your rent may be 10-20% higher than comparable non-pet-friendly apartments.

The double filter strategy

If you’re a foreigner with pets, you’re dealing with two filters simultaneously. Here’s how to optimize:

Lead with the harder filter. Ask about pet acceptance first, then foreigner acceptance. There’s no point getting excited about a foreigner-friendly apartment that doesn’t take your specific pet.

Work with an agent who handles both. Tell your agent upfront: “I am a foreigner with [pet details]. Only show me properties where both have been confirmed with the management company.” A good agent will pre-screen for both before scheduling any viewings.

Consider foreign-friendly agencies that understand pets. Agencies like apts.jp (mentioned by multiple pet-owning foreigners) specialize in finding housing for expats with unusual requirements. They cost more but they do the filtering work for you.

Don’t hide your pet. Management companies that suggest you “apply without mentioning the pet” are setting you up for lease violations and eventual eviction. If a building won’t accept your pet honestly, it’s not the right building.

For more on how the foreigner filter works and which wards give you the best odds, see our guide to foreigner acceptance rates. If you’re weighing whether to start in a share house while you search for a pet-friendly apartment, our housing comparison guide breaks down the costs.

What to do right now

If you’re planning a move to Japan with pets:

1. Start the pet import process immediately if you haven’t already. The 180-day waiting period is non-negotiable.
2. Take the ward quiz to narrow down your target area, then compare wards side by side to see which fit your budget.
3. Budget 6-8 months’ rent for total move-in costs (standard fees + pet premium).
4. Research your target ward’s pet-friendly inventory before settling on a location.
5. Find an agent early who has experience placing foreign pet owners.

Tell Tanu about your pet when you search — mention breed, size, and number of pets. The more specific you are, the better Tanu can filter listings to show you what’s actually possible, not just what says “pet OK” on paper.

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Based on resident experiences across r/japanlife, r/japanresidents, and r/movingtojapan. March 2026.