Cheki Pet Photos in Tokyo: Capture a Memory With Your Dog

Cheki is Japan's instant-film photo format, and Green Beans Coffee in Kitasando, Tokyo runs a free cheki photo service for visiting dogs — any breed, any size — added to a growing wall of pet portraits inside, whenever the cafe isn't too busy.

If you've spent time in a Japanese convenience store, arcade, or photo booth, you've probably seen a cheki machine without knowing the name for it. It's a small, specific kind of souvenir, and pairing it with a dog-friendly cafe stop makes for one of the more memorable things to do with your dog in Tokyo. Here's what it actually is, and what to expect if you want one with your own dog.

What Is Cheki, and Why It's Different From a Phone Photo

"Cheki" (チェキ) is the Japanese name for instant-film photography — the same category as Fujifilm's Instax cameras. Press the shutter and the camera develops the film internally, printing a physical photo within about a minute, no app or printer involved. There's no retaking the shot a dozen times to get the perfect angle, and no scrolling through a camera roll afterward — you get one print, slightly imperfect, and that's the point. In Japan, cheki has stuck around as a casual, almost nostalgic format long after most people's daily photos moved to their phones, which is part of why it still feels like a small event rather than a snapshot.

The Pet Photo Experience at Green Beans Coffee

Every seat at Green Beans Coffee is indoors and open to dogs of any breed and size, including large dogs, so a cheki photo isn't limited to a terrace table or a particular corner of the room. When the cafe isn't too busy, staff will take an instant cheki photo of your dog and add it to the photo wall near the counter — a growing lineup of regulars and first-time visitors that's worth a look even if you're not there for a photo yourself.

A few things worth knowing before you go: because this depends on staff availability and how busy the cafe is at the time, it isn't something you can book in advance, and it isn't guaranteed on every visit. The photo also stays at the cafe — this is a display-only service, not a take-home print, so whatever's taken becomes part of the in-store wall rather than something you walk out with. The booth's backdrop changes with the seasons too, so what you see may look different from one visit to the next. If you have a specific date you care about, it's worth messaging the official Instagram beforehand to check.

Tips for a Good Photo With Your Dog

• Let your dog settle in first — a cheki photo taken right after you sit down usually comes out blurrier than one taken ten minutes in
• Bring a small treat or toy to get your dog looking toward the camera rather than at the room
• Expect a flash — if your dog startles easily, keep an eye on their reaction the first time staff get the camera out
• Ask when things look calm rather than during a lunch rush, since that's when staff have time to do it well
• Keep the leash short for the shot itself — it's easier to get a clean photo with your dog close by your side

Who This Visit Suits

This suits anyone who wants a specific, slightly novel thing to do with their dog in Tokyo, not just a coffee stop — a souvenir of sorts, even if it's one that lives on the cafe's wall rather than in your bag. It pairs naturally with a longer visit: Where to Enjoy a Dog-Friendly Lunch in Tokyo covers the sit-down meal side of things if you're planning to stay a while, and How to Choose a Pet-Friendly Cafe in Tokyo is useful background if this is your first dog-friendly cafe stop in the city.

Getting There

Green Beans Coffee is a 3-minute walk from Kitasando Station or a 7-minute walk from Sendagaya Station, in the Dagayasando area of Shibuya, Tokyo. Since the cheki photo depends on how busy the cafe is, visiting outside the lunch rush gives you a better chance at catching staff with time for it. For the rest of what to expect on a pet-friendly visit — seating, access, and more — the full English pet guide and the pet articles hub cover the broader picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is cheki, and how is it different from a regular photo?
Cheki is Japan's name for instant-film photography, the same format as Fujifilm's Instax. The camera develops and prints the photo on the spot, so you get a physical photo instead of a digital file.

Q. Can I get a cheki photo of my dog at Green Beans Coffee?
Yes. Green Beans Coffee in Kitasando, Tokyo runs a free cheki photo service for visiting dogs, and every seat indoors welcomes dogs of any breed or size.

Q. Is the cheki pet photo service free?
Yes, there's no charge for the cheki photo itself.

Q. Can I take the Cheki photo home?
No. Cheki photos are displayed inside Green Beans Coffee as part of the cafe's pet photo experience. Take-home prints are not provided.

Q. Is a cheki photo guaranteed every visit?
No. It depends on how busy the cafe is when you visit. If you have a specific date in mind, it's worth checking with staff via Instagram beforehand.

Q. Does the photo booth decoration change with the seasons?
Yes. The booth's look has changed with the seasons before, so the backdrop isn't always the same from one visit to the next.

Q. How do I get to Green Beans Coffee for the cheki pet photo experience in Tokyo?
It's a 3-minute walk from Kitasando Station or a 7-minute walk from Sendagaya Station, in the Dagayasando area of Shibuya, Tokyo.