Tokyo Dog Craze

Dogs are a raging trend here in Tokyo. All over town people are displaying their dogs on leashes, or carrying them - head peeking out - in purses. These dogs are often wearing coordinated outfits - jeans with a sweater, or a tank top and miniskirt. Grooming shops keep the fur of these well-cared-for pets fluffy, fresh and voluminous. And sunglasses to match give an almost disturbingly human quality to their look. Smaller, purebred K9s are most popular, however, it’s not uncommon to see a giant Poodle or a Bernese Mountain Dog strutting down the city streets.

While doggy bakeries and clothing stores have become almost passé here in Tokyo, the other day I saw a new doggy phenomenon, the doggy backpack. I met this kid in Nakameguro. He was cruising the streets, with his super chilled out Cocker Spaniel kicking it in a backpack baby sling. This is by far the coolest and most innovative of the doggy contraptions I’ve seen. When the boy saw me checking out his dog, he quickly turned his back toward me, so that I could get an even better look at his pet. Then he took his sling off, doggy and all, and let me try it on. It felt great, and the dog seemed to be ultra comfy and happy inside his sling. Way to go, kid! Who knows, maybe this will be the next big Tokyo doggy trend.