Family Dining · Practical guide
Kojima
The Inbound Traveler's Guide to Tokyo's Historic Pet Shop, Japanese Pet Treats & Care Goods
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | ペットの専門店コジマ (Kojima) |
| Brand Name | Kojima / ペットの専門店コジマ (株式会社コジマ / Kojima Co., Ltd.) |
| Store Type | Pet supplies and live-pet retailer; grooming, hotels and veterinary/medical services are location-dependent and may have separate providers |
| Target Audience | International pet owners seeking Japanese pet treats, grooming precision tools, and functional pet accessories to bring home for their dogs and cats |
| Ordering Style | Open-aisle self-service browsing, specialist staff consultations for nutrition and pet care tools, and centralized checkout registers |
| Membership Required? | No membership or local residency required for general retail shopping (Kojima Point membership available for local residents) |
| Approximate Price Range | Food, toys, apparel, grooming tools and pet carriers; current shelf prices and selection differ among shops; check the shelf tag. Tax-free status must be confirmed for the individual store. |
| Multilingual Support | Japanese is the default; English assistance, signage and animal consultation cannot be promised at any named branch. |
| Payment Methods | Cash; acceptance of individual foreign cards, transport IC, QR and other payment methods depends on the branch or tenant. |
| Store Network | Kojima reported 54 branded shops in June 2025. This dated count excludes separate Higo Pet Friendly stores; check the directory for current branches. |
What it is
Founded in 1916 (Taisho 5) in Kameido, Tokyo, Kojima Co., Ltd. (株式会社コジマ) is one of Japan's oldest and most respected pet specialty chains. Guided by its corporate mission of providing "total lifetime support for pets," Kojima was reported as operating 54 locations in June 2025 (a historical, not current, count) centred on the Kanto region, including comprehensive GRAND flagship stores that may combine retail with grooming, lodging or veterinary facilities depending on the shop and service provider.
Kojima has Tokyo locations including Roppongi and GRAND Kameido, with pet food, care items and accessories varying by branch. The GRAND Azabu-Juban site, opened in February 2026, specializes in puppies and kittens; do not assume it carries the same tourist-oriented goods as other branches. Check the current directory and specific shop departments before visiting.
How to order
Step 1: Visiting Central Tokyo & Neighborhood Branches
Kojima operates accessible street-level boutiques and larger suburban stores:
- Central Tokyo Locations: Roppongi and GRAND Kameido (check the official shop directory, departments, access and hours; Azabu-Juban is a puppy/kitten specialty store) are easily reached via Tokyo Metro and JR lines.
- Pet Entry Rules: Pet admission policies vary by branch; when permitted, follow the store's leash, carrier or cart rules (using a leash, carrying the pet, or placing them inside a dedicated pet cart).
- Operating hours typically run from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (varies by store).
Step 2: Navigating Food, Treats & Care Aisles
- Pick up a shopping basket at the entrance.
- The Japanese Cat & Dog Treat Wall: Explore extensive shelves of Inaba CIAO Churu puree tubes in seafood varieties, alongside fish treats and freeze-dried meat snacks; ingredients, claimed additives and availability must be checked on each pack.
- Precision Pet Grooming & Apparel: Discover Japanese stainless steel shedding combs, soft-grip nail trimmers, seasonal dog yukata or raincoats, and absorbent indoor pee pads.
Step 3: Checking Customs & Quarantine Rules Before Buying Meat Treats
- Crucial Import Warning: Before filling your basket with beef, chicken, or pork jerky, verify the agricultural and animal quarantine laws of your home country! Import rules vary by destination, species and processing method; do not presume all meat-based pet treats are prohibited or that fish, dairy, feathers or wood products are automatically admissible. Check the destination government's actual import rules and ingredients.
Step 4: Cashier Checkout & Tax-Free Status
- At checkout, bring cash as a backup and confirm which foreign cards, transport IC, e-money or QR services the particular branch accepts before paying.
- Tax-free eligibility at this shop is unconfirmed. A shopping mall's tax-free counter or participating tenants do not establish that this particular pet-store checkout is an authorized tax-free seller. Ask staff whether this specific register can create a qualifying purchase record before paying. At a confirmed participating shop, eligible temporary visitors buy eligible goods tax-inclusive, with a minimum purchase of ¥5,000 excluding tax per tax-free store per day. Under the system effective November 1, 2026, departure customs confirmation must be completed within 90 days of purchase and before checking in baggage. Use the departure kiosk (or available Visit Japan Web route): a green result completes confirmation; a red result requires presenting the goods. Only then can the seller/refund operator arrange the refund according to its stated method. Tax-free goods must leave Japan; food and other consumable items used in Japan are not eligible. The former separate general-goods/consumables purchase categories no longer apply. A refund is not guaranteed merely by shopping at the mall.
What to order first
1. CIAO Churu Cat Puree Packs (ちゅ〜る)
- What it is: Lickable, creamy cat treat tubes crafted by Inaba Foods using Japanese bonito, Hokkaido scallops, and tuna.
- Why buy it: Compare the flavor assortment and packs shown at the shop. Seafood-flavored products can contain other animal ingredients, and destination import rules still apply.
- Price: Check the item and current shelf label at the specific shop; these products and prices are not guaranteed at every branch.
2. Japanese Fish & Vegetable Pet Snacks
- What it is: Gently dried Japanese bonito flakes (Kezuribushi for pets), small dried sardines (Niboshi), and sweet potato chews. Check the actual packaging for ingredient, coloring and preservative claims.
- Why buy it: Read the ingredient label and use only treats suitable for your pet; check the intended animal, portion guidance and destination requirements.
- Price: Check the item and current shelf label at the specific shop; these products and prices are not guaranteed at every branch.
3. Japanese-Style Pet Apparel (Kimono & Yukata Wear)
- What it is: Seasonal small- and medium-breed dog outfits styled like traditional Japanese yukata, happi festival coats, or jinbei.
- Why buy it: Non-perishable, easy to pack in carry-on bags, and charming souvenirs that are usually simpler to transport than edible goods; inspect materials and destination restrictions.
- Price: Check the item and current shelf label at the specific shop; these products and prices are not guaranteed at every branch.
4. Ergonomic Japanese Pet Grooming Brushes & Nail Clippers
- What it is: Fine-tooth stainless steel flea/undercoat combs, gentle curved slicker brushes, and guillotine-style nail clippers engineered in Japan.
- Why buy it: Celebrated for precision blade alignment and durability. Check cabin-security rules for the blade design before travel; sharp tools may need checked baggage.
- Price: Check the item and current shelf label at the specific shop; these products and prices are not guaranteed at every branch.
5. Interactive Plush Pet Toys (Sushi & Ramen Themes)
- What it is: Squeaky plush dog toys and catnip kickers shaped like nigiri sushi, taiyaki pastries, and ramen bowls.
- Why buy it: Playful, lightweight souvenirs that delight pets back home.
- Price: Check the item and current shelf label at the specific shop; these products and prices are not guaranteed at every branch.
Payment & practical info
- Payment: Cash in yen is a baseline option. Acceptance of international credit cards, particular card networks, IC/e-money and QR apps varies with the counter and any in-store tenant; verify the specific branch before relying on a method.
- Tax-free status and refund: Tourist tax-free service is not independently confirmed for this individual store. Under Japan's November 2026 refund method, only an authorized seller can register eligible purchases of at least ¥5,000 excluding tax per shop per day. If a shop participates, pay tax-inclusive, obtain customs confirmation within 90 days of purchase and before checking in baggage, then follow the seller's refund instructions; the host mall's participation alone is insufficient.
- Opening times and services: Confirm the branch's current official page. Animal sales, grooming, hotels and medical-service counters can have different hours and operators; reservations, vaccination records, fees, age/weight restrictions and emergency-contact requirements vary.
- Prices, food and medicines: Check current product labels and checkout totals. Buy only veterinary/medicinal products suitable for the animal and sold under applicable Japanese rules; ask staff about intended species, dosage and use instead of assuming unrestricted availability.
Good to know / Common mistakes
1. Home Country Animal Quarantine on Meat Pet Treats
Many destinations restrict animal-origin pet food, but admissibility depends on ingredients, origin and destination rules; fish products and dairy may also be controlled. Check the destination government's current rules for the exact package.
2. Aviation Rules on Pet Shampoos & Nail Clippers
For international carry-on luggage, liquids and gels generally need containers of 100 mL or less under the applicable screening rules. Sharp scissors and other blades may be barred from the cabin. Do not assume that tweezers, nail clippers or aerosols are always prohibited or always permitted: check the airline, airport security and dangerous-goods conditions before buying. If an item is both eligible for a tax refund and destined for checked baggage, complete departure customs verification before checking that baggage.
3. Promotional Discount Coupons
Promotional discount coupons may be distributed during specific promotional campaigns or Kojima Point member events. Terms, validity periods, exclusions, and minimum purchase conditions apply.
FAQ
Q1: Can I buy a puppy or kitten and fly home with it?
Live pet export is not automatically forbidden, but it cannot be arranged as an ordinary same-day souvenir purchase. A buyer of a commercially sold dog or cat must receive the Japanese microchip registration certificate and complete the legally required change of owner registration. Export requires compliance with the destination country's import conditions, airline acceptance, and advance Japan Animal Quarantine Service export inspection; AQS advises applying at least 14 days ahead. Vaccinations, tests and advance arrangements depend on the destination and may require months. Do not buy an animal for travel before confirming the entire route and care arrangements.
Q2: How do I choose dog clothing sizes?
Japanese labels may include SS, S, M, L and breed-specific codes. Match the product's actual neck, chest and back measurements to your pet, since sizing differs by maker.
Q3: Are all Kojima stores equipped with veterinary hospitals?
No. Grooming, hotels, animal sales and veterinary care vary by location; check the exact branch and whether its clinic is a separate operator.
Sources
- Official Kojima website / directory (Checked: 2026-11-14; see individual entry for scope and reference date)
- Japan Customs — Tax Exemption (Refund) Program (Checked: 2026-11-14; effective November 1, 2026)
- Japan Tourism Agency — 2026 refund procedure FAQ (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- MAFF — Exporting Dogs and Cats from Japan (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- Ministry of the Environment — Dog/Cat Microchip Registration (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- MLIT — Air baggage restrictions (Checked: 2026-11-14)