Osaka

The vast park around Osaka Castle is the city's green landmark. Leashed dogs are commonly walked on the open outer grounds; the castle keep and museum, however, exclude pets.

The river island at the heart of Osaka, with its parks, waterside terraces and planted embankments. A natural leashed-walking route dotted with dog-friendly cafes listed by the city's official tourism guide.

An official Osaka Prefecture dog run in Hamadera Park in Sakai, with separate fields for small and larger dogs. Free entry from 10:00 to 16:30, on proof of current vaccinations.

The neon canal and its restaurant lanes are the image of Osaka. You can walk through with a leashed dog, but most shops and street-food spots exclude them, so treat it as a stroll rather than a meal stop.

A small shrine in the historic medicine district near Nakanoshima, listed by the official Osaka guide as a place for pet blessings. An easy leashed stop, keeping your dog calm.

A large garden centre with a cafe in Ibaraki, north of Osaka, listed on the official tourism pet pages, with a dog-friendly terrace and a small dog run. Best reached by car or pet taxi from the city.