New Year Dog Party, a festive treat for canines and canine-lovers, will be held at Tokyo Big Sight on Jan. 12 and 13.

The "party" consists of various events, including a fashion show of dogs and their owners like those held annually in New York since 2006 as "Pet Fashion Week NY." This is the first time such an event will have been staged in Japan.

In the show, canine and human models will wear matching outfits by cutting-edge designers in New York, including Josh Laird and Vince Gamboa. Some accessories have also been created especially for the Tokyo show.

The fashion show will be held twice daily, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 4 p.m.

For those wanting to play doggy dressup themselves, the shopping area New York Fashion Street 5th Ave. will feature boutiques to clothe their furry friends.

Other attractions include lessons in yoga and aromatherapy for dogs and their owners, and specialists will be on hand to counsel on dog health and improving discipline. There will also be a cafe where dogs and owners can eat and drink together.

The event takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Tokyo Big Sight West 2 Hall. The venue is a 3-minute walk from Kokusai Tenjijyo Station on the Yurikamome Line. Entry is ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,200 for children (or ¥1,500 and ¥1,000 respectively for advance tickets).

For tickets, call Kyodo Tokyo on (03) 3498-9999; for more information, visit www.nydogparty.com.