Typical Japanese: The Welcome Dog

When foreigners think of Japan, they often have stereotypes in mind. To debunk these common stereotypes, I decided to reveal the brutal truth what is really “typical Japanese“.

What’s typical about Japan is that most households sport a “welcome dog” in front of their door. No, Japan is not full of geishas, samurais, group oriented people, weird sex practices, high-tech, obedient girls, bad teeth, raw fish or tentacle. The only really common thread among everybody is their love for welcome dogs.

It took me a couple of years to realize it and I started to take pictures all over Japan as evidence.

This gallery is only a part of my huge collection, if you come to Japan or live here already, look around you…

… and you see them everywhere.

Not all of them really look that welcoming…

… others are even dressed.

This faded artifact shows that its not a new phenomena.

And here we have evidence that cats and dogs can welcome together!

This is obviously a foreigner. A welcome dog from Switzerland.

They are also sold everywhere to help you to decorate your home.

And some even have a practical purpose.

A welcome bunny joins the welcome dogs.

This welcome dog protects successfully the bicycles.

A rather old species.

The following dog is probably more of a “Goodbye Dog” but fits perfectly into this series.

Want a bone?

They seem to sing!

This welcome dog begs for donations for – yes – blind welcome dogs.

An impressive exemplar!

Oh, these dead eyes…

And then there are some people who cannot spot the difference between a pink camel and a dog. Tststs…

A cute one.

A christmas welcome dog with sunglasses.

Surprise! An welcome owl next to a welcome dog.

Welcome dogs and a welcome drawing of a dog.

A dog hidden in a bag.

These dogs obviously don’t care about the flower pots.

A happy ensemble.

Even restaurants have welcome dogs.

Welcome dog at sunset.

2 more…

…and 2 together.

Another dog and cat ensemble.

Welcome dogs to paint yourself.

He listens to his masters voice.

5 of them! Now that is a welcome!

Only 16000yen for this welcome dog.

I feel welcome.

Another shop guard.

He has a double function.

That must be the biggest one I found so far.

Welcome dog in front of poster dog.

A classical exemplar.

Another strange ensemble.

Getting better.

This seems to be a couple.

And more.

Another “Goodbye Dog”, or a “welcome to the afterlife dog”, I am not sure.

This one is very skinny.

A duck, a rabbit, a frog, a stork and a welcome dog.

He has its own house!

A pet salon needs welcome dogs!

Now that’s a strange dog. Looks somehow mutated to me…

Snoopy and Woodstock act as welcome dogs in Japan.

A fluffy one.

And some people think they must stand out somehow…bragger!