Japan
11 January - 7 March, 2006
Japan
Before Departure
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Japan is a rabies-free country.
To enter Japan without quarantine, Harry was required: 1. Microchip identification 2. Two rabies vaccinations 3. A rabies titre test. 4. 180-day waiting period after the rabies titre. The whole process took exactly 18 months. |
Japan
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Harry arrived at JFK three hours before the departure.
He paid $95 for his ticket at the United Counter. Then he went for a looong walk to empty his bladder. He stayed in his bag very quietly for 14 hours. He seemed to have been mostly sleeping. |
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At Narita, he had to go through Animal Quarantine.
His documents have been faxed to the office in advance. So we knew everything was alright. The veterinary officer read Harry's microchip first of all. Then he quickly checked Harry's health and signed his papers. The whole process took only about 7 minutes. Harry was finally free to enter Japan. |
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Downtown Tokyo is very crowded.
The photo shows Hitotsugi Dori Street in Akasaka. Along the narrow street, there are numerous shops and restaurants. There is no side-walk on the street. So Harry had to be careful to dodge rushing people and cars. |
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Harry walked from Akasaka to the Imperial Palace.
People tend to think that Tokyo is filled with tall buildings, cars and people. This is true. However the very cetre of Tokyo is like this. There is so much space! |
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Harry arrived at the Imperial Palace.
He enjoyed the walk in the North Garden where dogs are allowed. It was a very cold morning. So there were no other tourists, but only policemen. |
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Uptown Tokyo is, on the contrary, very quiet.
There are detouched houses with back yards. You can see beautiful Kaki fruits growing on the tree. You can also see the electric lines in the sky, which we don't see in Uptown Manhattan. |
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The main purpose of Harry's trip to Japan.
That was to be named Japanese National Team Member for IFCS World Agility Championship 2006 in Netherlands. Harry won every single run in Japanese competitions. So he is going to Netherlands in May! |
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Everybody must go to see Mt. Fuji in Japan.
It is the Holly Mountain in Japan. Harry also went to see Mt. Fuji. It was a beautiful, but very windy day. The mountain looked absolutely gorgeous. But Harry could not open his eyes because of the wind. |
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From Kawaguchiko Lake, Mt. Fuji looked a lot closer.
But Harry was only staring at the ducks on the lake. "They are the same birds we see in the Central Park!!!" |
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On the way back from Mt. Fuji, there was an accident.
Harry's front left paw got injured very badly. He was brought to a hospital in Kofu and had a surgery. Harry could start walking the following week. But the vet said that he would not grow his toenail again. His family and friends were all shocked and sad. The photo was taken three weeks after the incident. |
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After two weeks, Harry was a happy lively dog again.
So his family decided to take him to a trip to Ise-Shima. Harry travelled in a ferry for the first time. He turned three years old on that day. |
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The view of Ise Bay in Mie (near Osaka).
Beautiful pearls are made in Ise Bay. Harry enjoyed a short walk on the hill. He looked so happy to be able to walk outside again. He smelled the sea and the grass in the sun. |
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Harry stayed in Ryokan, a traditional Japanese style hotel.
The Ryokan usually does not allow dogs and other pets. But we explained how well trained Harry was; Harry never barks, never eliminates inside and never gets on Tatami. Thus he was allowed to stay with his family. |
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Harry visited Ise Shrine, one of the oldest shrine in Japan.
There he prayed for his health. Two days after, he came back to New York. Thanks to Japanese gods, Harry is really getting better. |
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