Cat Cafe JaLaLa

Neko JaLaLa is a historic Cat Café located in Tokyo, Japan, just a short distance from Akihabara Station, offering a unique experience as Japan’s first cat café since its founding in 2004. This small, intimate venue—capping visitors at around 10 people—welcomes guests to spend quality time with approximately 15-19 resident cats, including exotic breeds like Abyssinians, Maine Coons, and American Curls, in a compact playroom filled with perches, shelves, and feline-friendly enclosures. With an entrance fee of 550 yen (around $5 USD) for 30 minutes, plus an additional 350 yen ($3 USD) for a required drink like iced tea, coffee, or non-alcoholic beverages (served with lids to prevent cat hair), the café creates a lively yet sometimes crowded atmosphere, enhanced by friendly, English-speaking staff who provide a booklet introducing each cat—many with playful email addresses. Open daily, it operates with hours typically from midday to evening, though specifics may vary, and reservations are recommended due to its popularity. While the space can feel cluttered and may have a subtle cat urine odor, Neko JaLaLa stands out for its diverse, occasionally bored but bribeable cats (with a 350 yen tuna snack for interaction) and its cultural significance, making it a must-visit for cat lovers exploring Tokyo’s Akihabara district.