Tokyo’s Top 10 Pet Friendly Restaurants And Cafes

If there was one restaurant welcoming pets for every 10 ridiculous pet coats and ribbons on the market, Japan would’ve been a truly pet-friendly country.

I love my country, but as far as gender issues and pet-friendliness (not necessarily in this order) — two topics very near to my heart — are concerned, I feel that Japan is still far behind than most countries I’ve lived in or traveled to. Japan has thousands of pet shops, 8.9 million dogs and 9.5 million cats living as pets as of the latest data, and with recent figures, Japan is now said to be the only country in the world where pets actually outnumber children.

Billions of cosplay ideas and products to dress your pet for special and not-so-special events are more popular than ever, but when it comes to going out with pets as a family, places are limited. If you’re like me and hate leaving your pets behind every time you go out, here’s a helpful guide to 10 of Tokyo’s best places to go with your cats, dogs and any other ‘safe’ pets.

1. Yasaiya Teppanyaki Yasai, Roppongi

Yasaiya’s savvy vegetable sommelier carefully selects the best veggies from Japan’s fresh farms all the way from Okinawa to Hokkaido. Your pet can sit next to you on the bench cubicle and enjoy a delicious meal together from their rather long dog menu. There’s also a private room that seats about five people and pets. If you book in advance, they can provide a birthday plate for your pet’s birthday. For pet owners, I personally recommend their A5-rank wagyu and delicious garlic rice at dinner time. Their freshly squeezed juice is also a must-try. Lunch sets are very reasonable — around ¥1,000. My favorite is their Salzburg steak with a selection of five sauces. They also have a massive fresh salad served with seven different original dressings.

Where: 7-18-8 Roppongi Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open: Thu-Sun, 12 p.m.-3 p.m. (Lunch), 3 p.m.-8 p.m. (Dinner)
Web: yasaiya.tokyo/yasaiya/
Extra: Takeout and delivery are also available.

2. Grill and Bar Ushisuke, Odaiba

Family BBQ with your pets running in your yarn…is a fantasy for Tokyoites living in undersized apartments. There are places that rent out BBQ sets outdoors during summer, but there aren’t many grill restaurants that let pets inside. Ushisuke in Odaiba not only welcomes your furry family members but provides a menu for them. The staff here truly love animals and they come to ask for a photo of your pets to post on their blog. For pet owners, I recommend the Tomahawk Steak and the Angus steak lunch — it’s both reasonable, delicious, and large enough to fill you up. The first floor of Venus Fort where this restaurant is located is super pet-friendly and you can walk your pets inside the mall.

Where: 1F Decks Tokyo Beach, 1-6-1 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Open: Daily, 11 a.m -11 p.m.
Web: ushisuke-oneshot.net
Extra: Their online shop sells a variety of cut meats for your home BBQ too.

3. Cona, Azabujuban

This ¥500 pizza franchise will fool you: all pizzas come in a diameter of 30cm, stone oven-cooked and fresh just like you’d want them. There’s a selection of over 30 kinds for pizza alone, and series of other menus including pasta and grill. Free-flow drinks are available at a very reasonable price. While lunch sets end at around 2 p.m., Cona provides additional budget lunch sets until 5 p.m. which is reasonable for early dinner eaters. Pets are welcome in the high seating area, but not in the lower table seats in the back.

Where: 1-5-26 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open: Daily, 11:30 a.m.- 12 a.m.
Web: www.cona-pizza.com

4. Osteria Dieci, Azabujuban

In Europe, pets are welcome inside hotels, cafes, and high-grade restaurants, and even at sushi bars. The owner of Osteria Dieci knows how important it is to dine with your family, including your pets because he’s seen it in Milan. That atmosphere where families enjoy delicious Milanese food accompanied by their pets is here at Osteria Dieci. The spacious restaurant has a whole Italian feel where strangers enjoy conversation and tapas at the bar area and families enjoy slow food. They’re open for lunch on weekends but try to book in advance because it’s a popular spot. The pasta here is one of the best in Tokyo.

Where: 2-8-15 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open: Sat-Sun, 12 p.m.-3 p.m. (Lunch), 5 p.m.-8 p.m. (Dinner)
Web: www.osteriadieci.com
Extra: Their online shop sells a variety of sauces and meals for both you and your pets to be delivered to your home.

5. Park 6, Roppongi

The cafe-restaurant on the 6th floor of West Walk in Roppongi Hills is a secret oasis, especially when the complex gets too crowded. Park 6 consists of Bondolfi cafe and a co-shared workspace. The interior here could easily be mistaken for a jungle, something that I personally find soothing right in the heart of Roppongi. They have a space of tables and seats outside the venue which is free for anyone to use, and this is the area where pets are allowed. Weekends here are much calmer and you can order coffee and food from Bondolfi cafe. The staff will kindly provide a water bowl for your pet upon request.

Where: Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 6F, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Mon-Fri), 11a.m. -7p.m. (Sat, Sun and holidays)
Web: www.park6.jp
Extra: A variety of bento boxes are available for pickup from the cafe.

6. Bondi Cafe, Hiroo

The greatest spot for breakfast and brunch in the Hiroo district is the popular Bondi Cafe. Pets are welcome in all seatings. At Bondi, you can feel the breeze of the surfer’s paradise and eat healthily with your pets at your side. Their Eggs Benedict plate is wonderful and the pancakes are totally Insta-worthy. The store is very popular, so booking is recommended.

Where: Barbizon70 1F, 5-15-9 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open: Daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Instagram: @bondicafe_hiroo
Extra: They have a huge takeout menu that is slightly more affordable than eating in.

7. Castanet, Jiyugaoka

For over 40 years, the owner of Castanet has been serving Italian food and famous pancakes. I’ve tried most dishes here (since I worked here for six months back in high school) and all are delicious. My personal favorites are the Japanese sauce chicken steak and the Spaghetti Amatriciana. Coffee is free-refill and any kind of pets are welcome inside and outside the restaurant. The spacious terrace has many tables, perfect for sunny days. You can reserve the whole restaurant for party occasions — may be your dog’s next birthday?!

Where: 2-9-23 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Open: Daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Instagram: @jiyugaokacastanets
Extra: Sandwiches, pizzas and snacks are available for takeaway.

8. Burger Mania, Hiroo

This restaurant cafe has an open-air terrace perfect for sunbathing. But on rainy and cold days, don’t hesitate to take your pet pal inside with you, because here this is perfectly okay as long as they are on a leash. Aside from the franchise’s famed burgers, I also recommend the fresh Shrimp Avocado Sandwich — the bread is crispy, the shrimp extremely fresh, and the mayo-based sauce is quite the perfect marriage.

Where: 2F 5-15-25 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open: Daily, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Web: www.burger-mania.com
Extra: Most menu items are available for takeaway.

9. Orenchi, Shimokitazawa

Authentic izakaya with your pet? This very popular local joint is located in Shimokitazawa and is highly recommended for an authentic Japanese experience. All their tables allow pets. If you want to try it on weekends, booking in advance is a must. Just don’t get too drunk — you’ll still need to walk your pet home!

Where: 2-14-4 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Open: Daily, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Web: https://r.gnavi.co.jp/fryk9ub30000/#

10. Kawakami-an, Azabujuban

It’s quite a challenge to find pet-friendly soba restaurants. At Kawakami-an, however, you can slurp your noodles at the company of your pet. The restaurant only welcomes pets in the terrace seat area, but they have parasol heaters and provide warm blankets for cold days. In the summer, you can escape the heat since the terrace is on the cooler mid-basement floor. There are five tables on the terrace. Their soba is simply delicious and the hospitality is great for guests with pets.

Where: 3-5-7 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open: Daily 11:30 a.m. – 2.30 a.m.
Web: www.kawakamian.com

Bonus: Conrad Tokyo’s Paws of Luxury

Here’s a fun bonus location to treat your dog for a special occasion. Conrad Tokyo has launched the “Paws of Luxury” dog-friendly accommodation plan to meet the needs of dog lovers who want to stay in a luxurious hotel with their furry family members. Dog cookies made by pastry chefs are provided as welcome amenities in the guest rooms. For the comfort of the whole family, they have food and water bowls for dogs, toilet seats, and a special dog room service menu devised by the head chef. There’s even a birthday cake for your doggy’s special day!

In addition, Conrad Tokyo’s original dog beds are available in the guest rooms. Dress up in bathrobes together as a family with their special dog bathrobe and take some pictures in them to commemorate your stay. Enjoy a luxurious stay with panoramic views of Hamarikyu Gardens, Rainbow Bridge, and Tokyo Bay.

Where: Conrad Tokyo, 1-9-1 Higashishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Period: From Wed, Sep. 1 2021 to Thu, Jun. 30 2022. 
Price: From 50,368～ (Two people and one pet)
Web: https://conrad-tokyo.hiltonjapan.co.jp/plans/rooms/7668www.kawakamian.com

Visiting any of these spots with your pet? Send us a photo on Instagram or via email!