Japanese dogs are as unique and diverse as the regions they come from. Inu and ken both mean “dog” in Japanese; the reading of the kanji (character) simply varies depending on the name. Only six breeds are considered to be native to Japan, and they are protected as National Natural Monuments. From north to south, these are the Hokkaido Ken, Akita Inu, Kai Ken, Kishu Inu, Shikoku Inu, and Shiba Inu.
Hokkaido Ken
This variety became famous nationwide because of its prominent role in popular Japanese telecommunications advertisements! Also called the Ainu Ken, it is named after the indigenous Ainu people of northern Japan. With a thick double coat built for snowy winters, these dogs are cheerful, loyal, and incredibly sturdy.
Akita Inu
This is the only large dog among the native Japanese breeds. Typically light brown mixed with white, Akitas are renowned for being physically strong and deeply loyal. The most famous example is Hachiko, the faithful dog who waited for his owner at Shibuya Station for nearly ten years after the owner’s passing. You can still visit Hachiko’s bronze statue at Shibuya Station today.
Kai Ken
Originally from Yamanashi Prefecture, these dogs have a striking dark brown coat called “tiger-stripe” (tora-ge). This fur acted as natural camouflage for hunting in the steep mountains. Known for being fast and highly obedient, the Kai Ken is often described as a “one-person dog” because of its intense devotion to its owner.
Kishu Inu
A medium-sized dog from the Wakayama region, the Kishu is most commonly seen with a beautiful, fluffy white coat and small triangular ears. While they look calm and well-behaved, they were originally bred for hunting; it is said that a brave Kishu Inu is capable of scaring off a wild boar.
Shikoku Inu
Hailing from Kochi Prefecture in the Shikoku region, this breed is often noted for its wolf-like appearance. They are alert, brave, and incredibly active. In their home region, they were prized for their stamina and were frequently used to chase boars through the rugged mountain terrain.
Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is the smallest and most famous of the native Japanese dogs. Smart, courageous, and sporty, they have gained global popularity for their expressive personalities. Whether they are “grinning” at their owners or stubbornly refusing to go for a walk by planting their feet, Shiba Inus are known for having a lot of character!
Refusing to go for a walk (Twitter @akiracb11)
Grinning (Instagram @marutaro)
Evil face (Instagram @ryuji513)
Other than the Shiba Inu, all other dogs are named after prefectures or regions in Japan. You might be wondering why this is the case! There are many reasons for this. Shiba (柴) means brushwood in Japanese and refers to the a tree or shrub whose leaves change to red in autumn, the color of a Shiba Inu is similar to that! But the most convincing argument remains that in an old Nagano dialect, the word “shiba” meant “small” and that’s why this good natured dog came to be called “Shiba Inu.”
