Heaven for Cat and Dog Lovers! Top 3 Spots & Events in Tohoku and Hokkaido to Play with Cats & Dogs in the Snow!
In a nation that’s especially fond of its cats and dogs, Japan has many places and events where you can have fun encounters with furry, four-legged friends. Here are three of our favorites in Tohoku (Honshu) and Hokkaido.
1) Meet cute cat station masters at Ashinomaki Onsen Station (Fukushima Prefecture)
Aizu Tetsudo’s Ashinomaki Onsen Station is located in Otomachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima. From Tokyo, you need approximately 90 minutes to get there by Shinkansen bullet train. Here’s the twist: This calm and serene train station surrounded by nature is actually staffed by cats.
In June 1999, a female cat named Bus moved to the Ashinomaki Onsen Station under the protection of local elementary school students. Appointed honorary station master in April 2008, Bus (who worked with the human station master) retired in December 2015, and has since been succeeded by other felines.
Currently, there are two cats working at the station: a second-generation station master named Love, and another station staffer called Sakura. The station is also popularly known as a date spot, courtesy of Love the station master. Don’t forget to check out Cafe Basu at the station’s waiting room: This cute tearoom-style cafe is perfect for chilling while waiting for your train.
Things to Know Before You Go:
- The feline staff’s working hours are listed on the Ashinomaki Onsen Station’s official homepage, so make sure to check before visiting. (Cat station masters don’t work 24/7; they have their days off too!)
- The station sells some cute official merchandise such as key holders and clear files with images of the cat station masters.
Spot Information
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Name: Ashinomaki Onsen Station Cat Station master Working Hours 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Access: 20-minute walk from Aizuwakamatsu Station |
2) Ride a Dog Sled! (Hokkaido)
Dog sleds were once a mode of transportation in Hokkaido due to its long winter and heavy snowfall. Working breeds like huskies were the perfect choice for dog sledding: Extremely resilient to the cold conditions in some of Hokkaido’s freezing and high-latitude areas, they are also an active breed that thrive in activities involving running and pulling. While dog sledding is no longer practiced in Hokkaido, visitors can still experience this unique way to get around during winter in Hokkaido!
From early December to mid-March (depending on the snowfall), you can experience riding and handling a dog sled within Furano, Tokachi, and the Eastern Area. Before the sled ride, you will be given a detailed rundown about how to control the dogs, as well as some precautions―and then you’re off! The power of the dogs running fast and breaking through the thick snowfields is something you’re unlikely to forget.
Mushing Works, a company based in Hokkaido’s Tokachi and Eastern Areas, has a one-hour, 12-kilometer dog sledding course on a relatively flat route, which is great for first-timers. Your sled will be pulled by Alaskan Huskies, a breed that loves winter weather. While speeding through the snowfields you’ll spot the snow-topped Hidaka Mountains and experience the beautiful scenery of wintry Hokkaido.
Things to Know Before You Go:
- Besides dog sledding, you can view other popular sightseeing locations in the Furano and Tokachi regions.
- Different areas might observe different amounts of snowfall, but generally, a good time to visit is from the middle of December to mid-March.
- Though there is no age restriction for the dog-sledding activity, as you’ll be controlling the dogs yourself, it is recommended that visitors be at least of elementary school age. Kids should be accompanied by an adult.
Activity Information
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Name: Mushing Works Sled Dog Tours Location: Nishi 31 Sen-25 Urimaku, Shikaoi Town, Kato District, Hokkaido Operating hours: 9:30 a.m – 3:30 p.m. Operating period: End of December - mid-March（depending on snowfall Fee: Regular Tour (12km), ￥27,500/ person Number of participants: 1 person: ￥27,500 (tax included), 2 people: ￥46,000 (tax included), 3 people: ￥54,000 (tax included), 4-6 people: ￥60,000 (tax included) Access: Take the bus from JR Obihiro Station (Takushoku Bus) to the Shikaoi Riding Park Bus Station. Direct travel to and from the dog kennel is available. |
3. Bring your dog to the Inukko Festival (Akita Prefecture)
If you’re a dog lover, make sure you check out the Inukko Festival in Akita Prefecture.
Dating back to the Edo period (about 400 years ago), the festival originated after the feudal lord wiped out local bandits who were raiding homes in broad daylight. To prevent intruders from returning, people placed statues of little dogs made from rice flour at the entrance of their homes.
Celebrated every second Saturday and Sunday of February in Yuzawa, the Inukko Festival is noted for its snow sculptures of dogs in all shapes and sizes. Winter fireworks, a purification ceremony for dogs, and more take place during the festival.
A special purification ceremony performed during the festival is said to ensure a dog’s health, happiness, and protection. During the second day of the festival, many dog lovers come together with their pets to mingle and share their affection for their fur babies.
The highlight of the festival is on the evening of the first day, when many people turn up to see the winter fireworks around Yuzawashi Total Gymnastics. The view of snow sculptures with fireworks in the background is a sight you shouldn’t miss!
Things to Know Before You Go:
- We highly recommend visiting after sunset. The main temple and various snow sculptures around the venue are lit up, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
- At the sub-venue, the Downtown Candle Event has over 1,000 candles placed within the shopping district of the town. Once lit, they create a magical setting.
- If you visit the area surrounding Yuzawashi Total Gymnastics, try the local delicacies from the food stalls and purchase souvenirs to commemorate your journey.
Event Information
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Name: Inukko Festival Main Venue: Yuzawashi Total Gymnastics（Okitsuru-140 Yuzawa-shi, Akita） Event Period: Second Saturday and Sunday in every February |
※Due to COVID-19, actual event timings/availability may differ from those stated within this article.
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