Posted August 12, 2011 by Jonelle Patrick Animals

The Hot Spring Resort For Dogs

This terrier is getting a swimming lesson.

Just because you’re off for a day of enjoyment at the Oedo Onsen hot spring theme park doesn’t mean your dog has to mope around at home. Right next door is Dog Petit Resort Joker, where my cousin Yoko and I took her dogs Fuki and Sala for a day of swimming, obedience, and general romping.

At the dog resort, canine buddies can chase balls in a city without back yards, practice their obedience chops on an obstacle course, and get swimming lessons in orange flotation vests. They can even take a turn on the doggy treadmill if they’ve put on a few.

At the doggie hot spring resort, dog-sized soaking tubs are just like the ones at a human onsen.

And there are special enclosures for showering different sized-dogs before they take a dip.

For the urban dog that never quite mastered that swimming thing.

It’s also where single-breed clubs have their annual get-togethers. Yoko told me about a recent gathering of Norfolk Terriers at which Fuki distinguished herself by taking top honors in the Speed Eating contest. Just imagine it: 70 identical little brown dogs racing around, snarfing down their kibble, and having the ultimate doggy playdate.

If you’d like to visit the Oedo Onsen (and the Dog Petit Resort Joker) in Odaiba the next time you’re in Tokyo, a map is on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

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“A great read!” —Liza Dalby, author of Geisha and The Tale of Murasaki

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Jonelle Patrick View All

Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!