Kyoto

The grassy banks of the Kamo River are Kyoto's favourite dog walk, running for kilometres through the city. Leashed dogs welcome; busiest and friendliest at dawn and dusk.

The vast national garden around the Imperial Palace, with wide gravel avenues. Leashed dogs allowed on the paths, short leads only; the palace inner grounds do not admit dogs.

The famous Arashiyama bamboo path is a public walkway where leashed dogs are generally allowed, best early before the crowds. The nearby Iwatayama monkey park excludes dogs.

A tranquil canal-side path in the eastern hills, lined with cherry trees between Ginkakuji and Nanzenji. A public outdoor route where a leashed dog is welcome; the temples do not admit dogs inside.

The preserved lanes of Gion and Higashiyama, with wooden machiya and stone streets, are among the city's finest walks. Leashed dogs allowed on the public streets; the sacred interiors remain off-limits.

A large lakeside park in northern Sakyo, with a roughly 1.5 km loop. Leashed dogs on the paved paths only; lawns and the children's play zone are off-limits to dogs.