A Home Where Old People Can Live Together with Their Pets

Sakura no Sato Yamashina: a “Cherry Blossom Village” of sunlight, breezes, and abundant greenery. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Care dog Bunpuku gives a warm welcome to a resident who has just moved into the facility. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Ms. Nozawa, a 97-year-old resident, enjoys a quiet moment with her dog Mick as care staff look after the day’s tasks. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Ms. Sawada (79) moved into the home with a cat of her own, who died three years ago. Yurikko, one of the resident “care cats,” often comes to visit during breaks. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Wakayama lifts up Aoi, a Russian Blue that is one of the care cats kept at the facility. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Bunpuku sets out enthusiastically on a walk with a volunteer. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Bunpuku stands alert and ready to protect his family. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Bunpuku enjoys a snooze in his favorite chair. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Bunpuku moments before he was scheduled to be put down, when he was 1 or 2 years old. (Courtesy of the Chiba-wan animal welfare group)

Daiki loves to feel the breeze on his back. With a helping hand from his caregiver, he summons his last reserves of strength and steadies himself to start walking. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

The shadows of the trees seemed to dance on the wall like a bridge to another world. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Residents enjoy the cherry blossoms in the garden just outside the facility. Bunpuku’s energy and good nature bring a smile to everyone’s face. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)