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Hi, this is Hiroshi from "Ramen, Beer, and Sometimes a Blog."
Let me confess something up front: I got turned away from this dog run twice in a row.
First time, I showed up with just a phone photo of my dog's rabies vaccination certificate. Rejected. Second time, I brought the actual certificate — and was told I also needed her dog license or microchip registration certificate. Rejected again. Sorry, Momiji. Partly my fault for not checking, but come on, Tokyo, that's strict!
So this is my field report on Nanakuni Park Dog Run in Hachioji, western Tokyo — written by a guy in his 50s who finally got in on the third try. I'm putting all the required documents right at the top so you don't have to do a U-turn in the parking lot like I did.
Who this article is for: anyone wondering what documents you need to register at Nanakuni Park Dog Run, when the reception desk is open (and why August is a bad month to visit), and whether there's free parking.
The Short Answer: Three Questions, Three Answers (Field-Checked September 1, 2026)
Here's what I learned the hard way — twice.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What do I need to register? | 1) The metal rabies vaccination tag for the current year (the physical tag — a phone photo won't work), 2) your dog's license tag OR microchip registration certificate, 3) your photo ID. You fill out an application and consent form on site. And here's the kicker: every person entering with the dog must register — my wife needed her own registration too |
| How much does it cost, and when is it open? | Both entry and registration are free. Open 9:00–17:00 (April–October) and 9:00–16:00 (November–March). Registration desk: 10:00–15:00 only. Closed the entire month of August for maintenance, plus year-end holidays |
| Is there parking? | Yes, free parking for about 20 cars, fully paved. Plenty of space on a weekday around noon. By train: JR Yokohama Line to Hachioji-Minamino Station, then a bus to the Nanakuni 2-chome stop and a 6-minute walk |
Table of Contents
- Where Is Nanakuni Park Dog Run? Access and Parking
- Why I Got Rejected Twice: The Documents You Actually Need
- The Revenge Visit — and the Surprise About My Wife
- How Big Is It? The Areas Inside
- Facilities: Misters, Shade Pergola, Water Station
- Momiji Goes All-In on the Ball. Thirty Minutes to Total Exhaustion
- Spot Information
- Final Thoughts
Where Is Nanakuni Park Dog Run? Access and Parking
The dog run sits inside Nanakuni Park in Hachioji City, western Tokyo. It's a municipal facility — free to use — with about 1,200 square meters of space, which makes it one of the largest dog runs in the Tokyo area.
By car it's just a few minutes off National Route 16 (the Hachioji Bypass). The parking is free — about 20 paved spaces. By public transport, take the JR Yokohama Line to Hachioji-Minamino Station, hop on a bus to the Nanakuni 2-chome stop, and walk about 6 minutes. We drove from our home in Sagamihara, and it was closer than I expected.
Why I Got Rejected Twice: The Documents You Actually Need
Here's the backstory. Our Shiba Inu Momiji had only been here once, when she was about six months old. Then her heat cycles started, and we stopped going. She had her spay surgery in late June, so we could finally take her to dog runs without worrying.
Our previous Shiba, Sakura, never got to enjoy dog runs — she got sick (pyometra) before we ever made it a habit. I've always felt bad about that. So I promised myself Momiji would get to run to her heart's content.
Rejection number one: July 31. I brought a phone photo of her rabies vaccination certificate. Not good enough — you need the physical metal vaccination tag. I also didn't have a user registration card. Total defeat.
Then came August, when I learned that the dog run closes for the entire month of August every year for maintenance and disinfection. Revenge would have to wait until September. We got so impatient we drove all the way out to Yadoriki Nanatsuboshi Dog Run in Kanagawa in late August.
Rejection number two: the morning of September 1 — reopening day. This time I brought the actual rabies certificate. And this time they told me I also needed her dog license tag or microchip registration certificate. Shot down again. Sorry, Momiji.
I later checked the city's official page. Here's the full list:
- Rabies vaccination tag (the physical metal tag, current year)
- Dog license tag OR microchip registration certificate
- Owner's photo ID (driver's license, insurance card, etc.)
- Application form and consent form, filled out on site
That morning I slunk off to the gym and swam my frustration away. If there's one thing a man in his 50s is good at, it's switching gears.
The Revenge Visit — and the Surprise About My Wife
When I got home, my wife was back from her part-time job. Something in me refused to accept defeat. "We're going to the dog run!" I declared. Round three, same day. Guys in their 50s are persistent like that. I dug through the house and found my old registration card. It was there! A little grubby, but there.
This time I left nothing to chance: microchip registration certificate, rabies documentation, registration card — everything went in the bag. Momiji gave me a look that may or may not have said "the car AGAIN?" as the three of us headed out.
At the office, the staff kindly renewed my expired registration. It took a while. It really took a while. One important detail: the registration desk is only open 10:00–15:00, shorter than the dog run's own hours. If it's your first visit, go midday.
Then came the twist: I assumed only I needed to register. Nope — my wife needed her own registration too. Everyone who enters with the dog has to be registered. Hachioji does not mess around. We did her paperwork on the spot, and finally — finally — the three of us walked in.
How Big Is It? The Areas Inside
The run is divided by weight: a small-dog area and a medium/large-dog area for dogs over 10 kg (about 22 lbs). Momiji is a Shiba of around 10 kg, so we let her stretch out in the emptier area that day.
It's big. Genuinely big. "1,200 square meters" didn't mean much to me until I stood in it and realized how far away the far fence was. The ground is dirt and grass with the natural slopes left intact — little hills, little valleys. Perfect running terrain for a dog. We visited another free dog run this summer at Umi-no-Koen in Yokohama, but the terrain here is something else.
The rolling terrain comes across better in video than in photos. Here's Momiji patrolling the bottom of the slope, ball firmly in mouth.
Facilities: Misters, Shade Pergola, Water Station
I walked in with low expectations — it's a free municipal facility, after all — and was genuinely surprised by how well-equipped it is.
First, the misters. A fine cooling mist sprays from the fence line. For anyone with a heat-sensitive Shiba, this is a blessing.
Then there's the shade pergola — a large reed-screen canopy added in 2025. There's not much natural tree shade here, so in summer this structure is a lifeline.
There's a water station, a paw-washing area, and a restroom on the grounds. Everything is kept clean, and you can tell the staff keep a close eye on the place. The strict registration pays off — everyone inside follows the rules, and it feels safe to let your dog off leash.
Momiji Goes All-In on the Ball. Thirty Minutes to Total Exhaustion
Third attempt, finally inside. Honestly, after all that paperwork I felt so accomplished I was half ready to go home. Momiji had no interest in my feelings. She was already locked onto the ball.
Same old ball-obsessed Momiji. But with this much space, throwing is actually fun. Full sprint, grab, trot back, repeat. Over and over.
After about 30 minutes she was panting hard, so we called it a day. She kept panting in the car all the way home — as heat-averse as ever, this Shiba. Early September afternoons are still hot in Tokyo, so if your dog struggles with heat like ours, mornings, evenings, or cooler months are the way to go.
Spot Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Nanakuni Park Dog Run (七国公園ドッグラン) |
| Address | Nanakuni 3-chome, Hachioji City, Tokyo |
| Access | By car: a few minutes off National Route 16 (Hachioji Bypass). By train: JR Yokohama Line to Hachioji-Minamino Station, then a bus to the Nanakuni 2-chome stop and a 6-minute walk |
| Parking | Yes — free, about 20 paved spaces |
| Fee | Free (registration is also free) |
| Hours | Apr–Oct 9:00–17:00 / Nov–Mar 9:00–16:00. Registration desk: 10:00–15:00. Closed all of August and Dec 29–Jan 3; may close in bad weather |
| Dog policy | Registration required: physical metal rabies vaccination tag + dog license tag or microchip registration certificate + photo ID. Every accompanying person must register. Max 2 dogs per person. Registration renews annually |
| Official info | Nanakuni Park Dog Run (Hachioji City official site, Japanese) (Tel. 042-637-7569) |
📍 Google Maps: Open Nanakuni Park Dog Run in Google Maps
Final Thoughts
Nanakuni Park Dog Run took me three visits to crack. One loss on July 31 for missing documents, another loss on the morning of September 1 for a different missing document, and a win that same afternoon. Bring the metal rabies tag, the dog license or microchip certificate, your photo ID — and remember that every family member entering needs to register. Get all that right, and 1,200 square meters of free running space is yours.
Yes, the paperwork is a hassle. But it's exactly why everyone inside — dogs and owners alike — is well-mannered, and why it feels safe to let your dog loose. Our previous Shiba, Sakura, never got this. Momiji will get it many times over. The registration is done now, after all.
On the way home we stopped at our usual fish market and picked up a fresh atka mackerel. I've been on a salt-grilled fish kick lately. The dog got her ball, the old man got his fish. A good day off, hard-earned.