Dog-friendly Wanwan Liner bus to begin operations between Tokyo and Osaka this fall

This upcoming doggy express offers a new option for long-distance travel in comfort with your Best Friend. For many, the worst part of traveling long distance has nothing to do with the journey itself

This upcoming doggy express offers a new option for long-distance travel in comfort with your Best Friend.

For many, the worst part of traveling long distance has nothing to do with the journey itself, but the sadness of leaving your beloved furry friends behind. Though JR East has experimented with limited-time dog-friendly options before, it’s always been wishful thinking that there could be a consistently easy way for them to ride alongside you on public transportation…but now, that wish is about to become an actual reality.

Tokyo-based transportation company B・I・G Bus has announced that it plans to begin operating a new **Wanwan Liner **(“Woof-woof Liner”) bus service between Tokyo and Osaka on November 1, pending approval of all necessary agencies. The company is no stranger to dog-friendly travel, already offering over 100 such plans, but this newest initiative is meant to provide a practical way to travel with your dog in a secure, stress-free environment between two of Japan’s largest cities.

▼ The Wanwan Liner, complete with cute pawprints on its exterior

Dog owners may already be wondering what the eligibility criteria are for their precious pups to ride on the bus, but specific details have yet to be announced. However, the company has confirmed that there will be strict rules for riding, safety checks, as well as sanitation and odor-prevention measures enacted to ensure your peace of mind throughout the journey.

Furthermore, Wanwan Liner buses will schedule longer-than-usual stops at rest areas and service locations so that doggos will have extra time to use the facilities’ attached dog runs to stretch and get a little exercise in mid-trip.

▼ Partitions can apparently be put in place to help keep pets near their owners while onboard the bus.

Even though details on the Wanwan Liner are still sparse, this announcement could be that push that you need to book your next stay in either Tokyo or Osaka with your furry friend. We only hope that hotels will become more accommodating of friends of the canine variety, just as some have started to do for our feline friends.