Kyoto Walking Course Guide | Spectacular Routes to Walk with Your Beloved Dog in Kyoto Prefecture

Traveling to Kyoto with your beloved dog or cat—Kyoto Prefecture has many pet-friendly spots where such dreams come true. Spacious walking courses in Arashiyama Park, dog runs where you can enjoy the ridge line between Kamogawa River and Higashiyama, and cafes and restaurants that welcome pets. Once you arrive in Kyoto in about 75 minutes from Kansai International Airport by Limited Express Haruka, enjoy the charm of Kyoto Prefecture with your pet. Considering the climate characteristic of a basin with humid, hot summers and bone-chillingly cold winters, please enjoy a pet trip unique to Kyoto with a population of about 1.46 million while being attentive to your pet's health. In recent years, Kyoto has been rapidly expanding pet-friendly facilities, creating an environment that delights travelers.

Walking Courses Around Arashiyama Park

For walks with your pet in Kyoto, Arashiyama Park and its surroundings are recommended first. The park has a well-maintained walking trail (about 2 km) where you can walk with pets, and walks while enjoying the ridge line between Kamogawa River and Higashiyama are wonderful. Leashes are required, and picking up waste is strictly observed as etiquette. There's a water drinking area in the park, and some places provide pet water bowls. The course along Kamogawa River is a flat 3 km one-way path where you can meet local dogs in the morning and evening. The nature trail at the foot of Daimonji Mountain is also pet-friendly, and walks while enjoying forest bathing are a refreshing course for both owners and pets. However, since the ground temperature becomes high in summer, we recommend walking early in the morning or after sunset.

Cafes & Restaurants That Welcome Pets

In the Shijo Kawaramachi area, there are 5-8 cafes with terrace seating where pets are allowed. Some restaurants offer dog menus, and dog treat plates (300-500 yen) are popular. Human lunches range from 800-1,500 yen, and some restaurants offer modified yudofu menus. The dog cafe near Kyoto Station allows pets inside as well, so you can enjoy it safely even on rainy days. The standard plan includes a 1-hour usage fee of 500-800 yen with a drink, accommodating small to large dogs. There are 2-3 cat cafes in the Shijo Kawaramachi area, where you can spend a relaxing time for 1,200-1,800 yen per hour (including a drink). Some cafes also have pet supplies sections, where you can purchase stylish leashes and collars for 1,500-4,000 yen.

Dog Runs and Activities

Kyoto's dog runs are well-equipped, with 3-5 facilities in the city. The public dog run (in Arashiyama Park) is free to use and has a reassuring design with separate areas for small and large dogs. Private facilities charge 500-1,000 yen per visit and some have agility equipment and pools. There's open space along the Kamogawa riverbed where you can let your beloved dog run freely in a spacious environment (leash-required areas and free areas are separated). In summer, there's also SUP experience (5,000 yen per session, dog life jacket rental 500 yen) that you can enjoy with your dog, and activities in the ridge line between Kamogawa River and Higashiyama are thrilling for pets too.

Practical Guide for Pet Trips

Here's practical information for a successful pet trip to Kyoto. Car is the most convenient way to travel, with multiple service areas where you can rest with your pet between Kansai International Airport and about 75 minutes by Limited Express Haruka. If using public transportation, small dogs can ride if placed in a carrier bag (within specified size), requiring a luggage fee of 280 yen or more. For accommodation, there are 2-3 pet-friendly inns in the Arashiyama hot spring area, offering one night with two meals for 15,000-25,000 yen (additional pet charge 2,000-5,000 yen). Pet-friendly hotels around Kyoto Station offer room-only rates of 6,000-10,000 yen. There are 10 or more veterinary hospitals in Kyoto City, with some offering emergency services at night, so you can feel safe in emergencies. Essential items include a leash, waste bags, water, snacks, regular medication, and a rabies vaccination certificate.