Rakkuraya Rescue Cat Cafe

Tagami, Niigata · 6.1 mi / 9.8 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

Mitsuke, Niigata · 7 mi / 11 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

Nagaoka, Niigata · 14 mi / 23 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.

Gosen, Niigata · 15 mi / 24 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.

Nagaoka, Niigata · 15 mi / 24 km

Cat Cafe Coorikuya Nagaoka is a branch of the Coorikuya cat cafe chain attached to the Coo&RIKU pet shop in Kitamachi, on the west side of Nagaoka, about 15 minutes by car from JR Nagaoka Station. Opened in 2022, it has a bright, open room where a group of friendly cats of various breeds relax, play and often roll over for attention. Visits are charged per 30 minutes with unlimited drinks included, cat treats are sold for feeding, and the pet shop next door sells kittens and puppies. The cafe is open every day, opening an hour earlier at weekends and on holidays, and last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

Niigata · 18 mi / 29 km

Cat Cafe Chigura is a cat cafe on the ground floor of the Orange House building in Kobari, Nishi Ward, Niigata, about five minutes on foot from Hirashima Station on the JR Echigo Line, with parking in front of the shop and along the Nishi River. It describes itself as a cat-first cafe: visitors register before touching the cats, and children below the fourth grade of elementary school are not admitted. Cats have included a Russian Blue and a Somali. Visits are charged by time and paid on leaving, with one- and two-hour courses that include a self-service drink, plus weekday-only four-hour and free-time courses. Cat treats are sold for feeding while seated, and the shop sells badges and charms featuring its cats. It is open every day except Friday, opening an hour earlier at weekends and on holidays, with last entry at 7 PM.