 More opportunities are being created for pet owners to travel with that special member of the family hitherto unwelcome. Japanese airline carriers and hotels are implementing new policies to bring Fido, similar to those enjoyed by many western countries. Yatsugatake Wan Wan Paradaisu in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, operates 40 cottages in which guests may stay with their dogs. A 5,000-square-meter dog run, where canines can run freely, is located in the nearby woods. The facility opened in April 2001, and has welcomed about 15,000 people every year. Medium and large dogs can stay for 2,000 yen per night. Travel agency JTB Corp. deals with hotels and ryokan at which guests with small animals can stay. Nippon Travel Agency Co. also handles accommodations where guests can stay with their pets. Inatori Tokai Hotel Yuen in Higashi-Izucho, Shizuoka Prefecture, is equipped with hot springs specially made for dogs, allowing visitors to soak their pets in a hot spring bath. The room rate for small dogs is 4,200 yen. Transportation companies are also offering services for pets and their owners. Japan Airlines has launched the "Petto to Odekake Sabisu" (Out and about with your pet) program. The airline transports caged pets in an air-conditioned cargo compartment. It costs 3,000 yen per carrier for a flight between Tokyo and Osaka. With All Nippon Airways' "Petto Rakunori Sabisu" (Easy-riding pet service) program, customers can not only fly with ANA, but also use a pet-friendly car rental service in Hokkaido or Okinawa prefectures. The Japan Railway group also sells pet tickets for 270 yen. Passengers can travel with their pets in a carrier up to a designated size. The total weight of the cage and animal must be no more than 10 kilograms. According to a survey on traveling with pets, conducted in June by JTB, 65 percent of the 1,848 pet-lovers who responded said they had traveled or hoped to travel with their pets, showing that many pet owners view their pets as members of the family and hope to go on trips together. Many pet friendly operators do have rules for those travelling with their pets. A description of desired doggy and owner behaviour can be found on Rakuten Travel's Web site. It advises, for example, that owners should wash their pets before letting them enter the facility, and that dogs should be kept on a leash when outside the guest room. Relevant Japanese Links: Yatsugatake Wan Wan Paradaisu Inatori Tokai Hotel Yuen Japan Airlines JTB Corp Nippon Travel Agency Co. All Nippon Airways Rakuten Travel
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