Pet-friendly hotels in Japan

These properties accept pets. Almost none of them accept every pet under every condition: there is usually a weight limit, a maximum number of animals per room, and a supplement per night. Some allow dogs in the room but not in the restaurant or the pool area, which shapes your whole day. In practice almost everyone reading this is travelling with a dog, and that is the case these properties are set up for: dog-friendly rooms, a patch of grass within walking distance, and staff who are not surprised at check-in. Cats, birds and smaller animals are accepted far less often and almost never without asking first, so if that is you, write to the property before you book rather than after.

Before you book, check

• The supplement, and whether it is per night or per stay. The difference over a week is real money.
• Weight and size limits, and whether more than one animal is allowed.
• Whether your pet may be left alone in the room. Many properties forbid it outright, which rules out a day of sightseeing.
• Which areas are open to animals: breakfast room, terrace, lift, garden.

Worth it for: Trips where boarding the animal costs as much as the room, and long stays where leaving it behind is not reasonable.