🐾
🚇
Getting Around Yokohama with a Dog
🇯🇵Yokohama, Japan·Updated 24 July 2026
The single rule that shapes dog travel in Japan is simple: on trains, subways and buses a pet must ride fully inside an enclosed carrier that meets the operator's size limit. No dog, however small or well-behaved, may travel loose or on a lead in a carriage. Within that rule Yokohama is very manageable, because its best dog areas are a compact, walkable seafront and the parks are close together.
| Mode | Policy | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| JR trains | A small dog or cat may travel if fully enclosed in a hard or soft carrier within JR's limits (roughly up to 70 cm long, total dimensions within about 120 cm, and combined weight under 10 kg) for a small hand-luggage charge of around 290 yen. The animal must stay entirely inside the carrier the whole trip; no head-out or on-lap travel. | 💡 |
| Minatomirai Line and Tokyu | The Minatomirai Line (through-run with the Tokyu Toyoko Line) applies the same enclosed-carrier rule; on these private railways a carried pet within the carry-on size limit generally rides free as hand luggage. Keep the carrier closed and off the seat. | 💡 |
| City buses and taxis | Yokohama city buses accept only small pets in a fully closed carrier. Taxis are at the driver's discretion and usually expect a carrier or a seat cover; asking before the dog gets in avoids a refusal. Assistance dogs are exempt and ride free with their handler. | 💡 |
Arriving in Yokohama
Most visitors arrive through Tokyo. Haneda Airport is the closest gateway, roughly 30 minutes away by the Keikyu line or by road, while Narita is far longer. From central Tokyo, JR and private lines reach Yokohama in under 30 minutes. On every leg the dog must be in its carrier, so plan a carrier your dog is genuinely comfortable being closed inside for the whole journey.
Around the waterfront on foot
The good news for owners is that Yokohama's headline dog spots barely need transport once you arrive. Sakuragicho, the Red Brick Warehouse, Marine & Walk, Yamashita Park and the Rinko Park dog run all connect along flat, continuous waterfront promenades such as the Kishamichi. You can spend a full day out with the dog on foot, using a carried train hop only to reach the seafront in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog ride the train in Yokohama without a carrier?
No. On all Japanese trains, subways and buses a pet must be fully inside an enclosed carrier within the operator's size and weight limits; a dog on a lead or held in your arms is not allowed on board. Only certified assistance dogs are exempt.
Do I have to pay for my dog on the train?
On JR you buy a small hand-luggage ticket of about 290 yen for the carrier. On private railways such as the Minatomirai and Tokyu lines a carrier within the carry-on limit generally travels free as hand luggage.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Yokohama
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Yokohama Minatomirai Premier
★★★★★ · 9.2/10
€120/night
Hotel New Grand
★★★★★ · 9.2/10
€120/night
The Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu
★★★★★ · 9.2/10
€120/night
More Yokohama guides
Pet-friendly destinations nearby
Looking for a place to stay elsewhere? These destinations near Yokohama also welcome your dog.