Cat Cafe Coorikuya Nagaoka

Nagaoka, Niigata · 2.4 mi / 3.9 km

Neko Cafe & Neko Sakaba Latte is a cat cafe and bar on the fourth floor of a building at the Otedori crossing, about five minutes on foot from the west exit of JR Nagaoka Station. The cats like to sit at the large windows and watch the street. Around a dozen cats live here, a mix of breeds that have been with the cafe since it opened and rescued cats taken in through rehoming, including a family of white cats. Instead of a timed charge, entry works on a free-time basis with one drink order, though stays may be limited to two hours when it is busy at weekends. It was set up to feel like an ordinary coffee shop with cats, serving drinks, light meals and alcohol. It is often run by one member of staff, so phoning ahead is advisable. There is no dedicated parking.

Mitsuke, Niigata · 8 mi / 13 km

Nekomachi is a rescue cat cafe on the second floor of a building in Imamachi, Mitsuke, recognisable by the large cat illustration on its shutter. It takes in cats from the Niigata Prefecture animal protection centre and other rescues and looks for adopters for them, and visitors who cannot adopt support the cats simply by coming. The room is quiet and calm, with some shy cats as well as friendly ones, so it is not suited to children looking for a play space; children of elementary school age and under must come with a guardian. Visits are charged for 60 minutes, 90 minutes or free time, with drinks extra, and visitors are asked to wear socks. Closing days are irregular and shown on the cafe's online calendar, and it may close for vet visits. Free parking for three cars is opposite the shop.

• Adoptable cats

Sanjo, Niigata · 15 mi / 24 km

Rakkuraya is a rescue cat cafe tucked into a street of bars and restaurants in Ijima, central Sanjo. Its name comes from a Niigata dialect word for feeling at ease, and it describes itself as a shelter where rescued cats can live calmly while visitors get a feel for life with cats. Around a dozen cats live here, including resident staff cats, and the cafe looks for adopters for its rescues; adoption involves screening, conditions and a fee, and kittens under two months are not shown. It runs as a simple self-service cafe with packaged drinks and snacks rather than a kitchen. Opening days and hours change each month and are announced on its website and social media, and bookings are given priority, so reserving by phone or direct message is advisable. There is no dedicated parking; use the paid car parks nearby.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking recommended

Tagami, Niigata · 21 mi / 33 km

Aoneko is an adoption cat cafe on National Route 403 in Tagami, between Niitsu and Kamo, marked by a blue sign with a cat silhouette. Opened in April 2023 by an owner who left her job to work with rescue cats, it houses up to about 11 rescued cats, all neutered, vaccinated and tested, and every one is looking for a new home through a screening and trial process. The cat room holds about five visitors at a time and is charged per 30 minutes plus a drink, with a lower rate for elementary school children; younger children are welcome with a parent. A large glass window separates the cat room from the cafe, so food is eaten outside the room while lidded drinks can be taken in. Closing days are irregular and posted at the start of each month, and bookings are given priority.

• Adoptable cats

Tokamachi, Niigata · 27 mi / 43 km

Guest House Yamaneko is a small guest house in an old farmhouse in Funasaka, a tiny village in the heavy-snow hills of Tokamachi, run by a couple working to keep the village alive. It invites guests to spend slow days with its resident cats, five cats including a black cat, a ginger tabby, a tortoiseshell, a white cat and a shy brown tabby, which wander the shared rooms and often climb onto futons at night. It offers simple dormitory accommodation without meals, with separate shared rooms for women and men, and a communal living room where guests, neighbours and hosts often share a potluck dinner. Visits are by overnight stay only and must be booked in advance; the house closes on some days in summer for farm work and village events, and snow covers the area from mid-December for about five months.

Gosen, Niigata · 29 mi / 47 km

TOM'N CHI is a cat cafe in Sanbongi, Gosen and was the first cat cafe in the city when it opened in December 2019. Around 22 cats live here, led by the signature cat Tom, and many belong to a family of short-legged Munchkins, alongside breeds such as Russian Blues and Maine Coons. The pale blue room is clean and bright, and visits are charged by the hour with one drink included, with a slightly higher rate at weekends; cat treats can be bought, and the cafe also serves crepes and sweets. Children of any age are welcome, though those of elementary school age and under need a guardian of high school age or older, and socks must be worn. It is closed on Tuesdays and on some other days announced on Instagram, and last entry is an hour before closing.