Stay with Your Dog! 5 Recommended Hotels and Hot Springs in Wakayama

2022.06.30

Want to take a family trip with your dog but worry about finding the right place to stay? Don’t worry—Wakayama has plenty of dog-friendly cottages, hot spring resorts, and hotels!

Blessed with beautiful seas and mountains, Wakayama is the perfect getaway to enjoy Japan’s natural beauty. It’s also one of the top spots in the Kansai region for traveling with your furry friend. From outdoor adventures and dog runs to relaxing in an onsen together, Wakayama offers experiences that the whole family—including your dog—will love.

Dog-Friendly Cottages|Partners House Yuasa

If you want to create the best memories with your dog in the great outdoors, Partners House Yuasa is the place for you. There are 10 retro log cottages reminiscent of America in the middle of the wilderness.

What’s more, it is equipped with a natural hot spring spa exclusively for dogs, two types of dog runs, a dog pool and an agility square. You stay in a log cottage with a flat roof for a relaxing stay. You can spend a relaxing time without worrying about the eyes of other guests. (Shared kitchen and toilet facilities).

All log cottages are equipped with a foot-washing area for dogs. The location is only an hour and a half from Osaka and can be used for day trips, so it is possible to use it when you want to play with your dog as much as possible. In the evening, you can enjoy the sunset over Yuasa Bay, so be sure to go for a walk.

Another good point about Partners House Yuasa is the attention to detail in the cuisine. The menu is rich in fresh seafood caught in Wakayama Prefecture, shirasu (baby sardines), a speciality of Wakayama, and mountain vegetables from the Yamada Mountains.

Nearby is the Ninomaru Onsen (hot spring), which comes with a free bathing ticket if you stay at Partners House Yuasa, so be sure to take advantage of it. You can enjoy an open-air bath, sauna and cypress bath.

Dog-friendly hot springs and baths

Yes (natural hot springs)

Dog-friendly swimming pool

Yes (Mar-Nov).

Dog run

Yes

Dog food menu

Yes

Pet amenities

Lead hooks

Pet wipes

Deodorisers

Pet foot towels – Deodorant – Corrottes cleaner

Tray of pet bed linen (bring your own bed linen)

Accommodation for large dogs

available

Doggy accommodation fee

1,000 per head (excluding tax)

Official website

http://partnershouse.jp

Access

〒643-00011638-1, Oaza Yamada, Yuasa-cho, Arita-gun, Wakayama

So Many Dog-Friendly Attractions to Explore!|Katsuura Kanko Hotel

Just a 15-minute walk (or 5 minutes by car) takes you to Nachi Beach, or you can visit Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the most famous World Heritage sites along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. If you want to make the most of your trip to Wakayama, the Katsuura Kanko Hotel is the perfect choice thanks to its unbeatable location.

The hotel welcomes small dogs and medium-sized dogs that can be carried, and the entire third floor is reserved exclusively for guests staying with their pets—so you can relax with peace of mind. With in-room dining, you’ll also be able to enjoy mealtimes together with your dog.

Since it began welcoming dogs in 2019, the hotel doesn’t have facilities like a dog run or pool, but its surroundings are filled with dog-friendly attractions, making it an ideal base for sightseeing.

Nearby highlights include the stunning Blue Beach Nachi, ranked among Japan’s Top Ten Swimming Beaches, and Daimonzaka, a 640-meter cobblestone slope that leads to Kumano Nachi Taisha. This World Heritage trail is lined with 800-year-old cedar and camphor trees, creating a mystical atmosphere that has earned it a reputation as a spiritual power spot.

Dog-friendly hot springs and baths

None.

Dog-friendly swimming pool

None.

Dog run

None.

Dog food menu

None.

Pet amenities

Cage

Roller cleaner

Toilet seat

Plastic bags

Accommodation for large dogs

unacceptable

Doggy accommodation fee

2,000 per head (excluding tax)

Official website

https://www.katuurakankohotel.co.jp/

Access

〒649-5331 1530 Tenma, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama

A Dog-Friendly Hotel with a Spacious Run|Inu Goten

As its name suggests, Inugoten is a pet-friendly inn designed especially for dogs. Newly renovated in 2020, it offers a welcoming space where you can relax with your dog, cat, or even small animals.

The only place dogs can’t join you is the large public hot spring bath—but everywhere else is open to enjoy together. There’s also a dog café and grooming services, and if you stay in a private villa, you’ll have access to a dog-exclusive hot tub and even your own private dog run.

With both indoor and outdoor dog runs, your pup can play to their heart’s content no matter the weather. From the inn, you can take in views of the beautiful Shirarahama Beach, making it just as relaxing for owners as it is for pets. Dog trainers and holistic care counsellors are also on hand, giving first-time travellers peace of mind. And if you’d like to step out on your own, there’s even a pet hotel offering temporary care.

Best of all, Inugoten is run by an animal welfare organisation—something sure to warm the hearts of all animal lovers.

Dog-friendly hot springs and baths

Yes (open-air bath rooms and villas only).

Dog-friendly swimming pool

None.

Dog run

Yes (indoor and outdoor).

Dog food menu

Available.

Pet amenities

Feeding and water containers

Circles

Cages

Pet bed linen

Roller cleaner

Diapers (at cost)

Manner belts (at cost)

Accommodation for large dogs

Possible

Doggy accommodation fee

2,000 yen per dog, 1,000 yen per dog from the third dog (excluding tax).

Official website

TOP

Access.

〒649-2211 3742-22, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

BBQ, Bonfires & a Pizza Oven! Outdoor Fun with Your Dog|SEN.RETREAT CHIKATSUYU

SEN.RETREAT CHIKATSUYU, which opened in April 2022, is a unique retreat where you and your dog can enjoy bonfires, bake pizzas in a stone oven, and trek along the World Heritage–listed Kumano Kodo.

Perfectly located on the historic Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo, the retreat is just a 20-minute drive from Kumano Hongu Taisha, one of the sacred Kumano Sanzan shrines, and Oyunohara, home to Japan’s largest torii gate. After your stay, why not take your dog for a walk along this legendary pilgrimage trail?

Nestled in the charming town of Chikatsuyu, the property features seven stylish container villas. Guests can enjoy stone-oven pizza making and lava-plate BBQs, with fresh local ingredients, drinks, and amenities from Wakayama Prefecture. A washing machine with dryer is also available free of charge, so you can travel light. Optional beef jerky treats are also prepared for your pup.

Each villa comes with its own private garden, where your dog can run freely on the grass. Inside, a projector lets you enjoy movies while relaxing together. And when night falls, gather around the bonfire under a sky full of stars—a truly unforgettable experience for both you and your dog.

Dog-friendly hot springs and baths

None.

Dog-friendly swimming pool

None.

Dog run

Yes, a dog run is available

Dog food menu

Yes (beef jerky)

Pet amenities

Accommodation for large dogs

Possible

Doggy accommodation fee.

None (included in the owner’s accommodation fee).

Official website

​​https://sen-retreat.com/stay/chikatsuyu/

Access

〒646-1402 1806 Chikanuro, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture

Luxury Pet-Friendly Stay with Ocean Views|Nanki Shirahama Onsen Hotel Kawakyu

https://pixta.jp/photo/76571310

Shirahama is one of Wakayama’s most popular tourist destinations, renowned for its beautiful coastline. Among its highlights is Hotel Kawakyu, a luxury hotel where every guest room is a suite. While the hotel offers a variety of room types, the one where you can stay with your dog is the Presidential Maisonette Pet Room.

This expansive 180-square-metre suite features a dedicated pet room, complete with a dog bed, cage, and even a private bathroom for your furry friend—ensuring a truly indulgent stay. Guests can choose between Asian-style or classic-style décor to suit their preference.

Each room offers sweeping ocean views over Tanabe Bay, and is thoughtfully designed with luxury details such as a private beauty treatment room, premium mattresses, plush towels, and elegant interiors. It’s a high-class stay that guarantees satisfaction for both owners and their dogs.

Please note that dogs are only permitted in the Presidential Maisonette Pet Room. For other room types, guests may use the affiliated pet hotel, available at 4,500 yen per day (tax included).

Dog-friendly hot springs/baths

Yes (pet-friendly bathrooms).

Dog-friendly swimming pool

None.

Dog run

None.

Dog food menu

None.

Pet amenities

Cages

Toilet sheets

Tableware

Dog bath towels and foot towels

Roller cleaner

Wet wipes

Deodorising and sterilising spray

Accommodation for large dogs

Allowed (up to 3 dogs per room; 2 dogs over 10 kg and only 1 dog over 30 kg).

Doggy accommodation fee

None (included in the owner’s accommodation fee).

Official website

http://www.hotel-kawakyu.jp/

Access

〒649-2211 3745 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

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