Inu Neko Cafe Rio Youme Town Hikarinomori

Kikuyo, Kumamoto · 0.9 mi / 1.5 km

Coorikuya ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌⁠Carino Kikuyo is a branch of the Coorikuya cat cafe chain in the Sunly Carino Kikuyo shopping centre in Tsukure, Kikuyo, about five minutes on foot from Sanrigi Station on the JR Hohi Line. It is attached to the Coo&RIKU pet shop in the same building, which sells kittens and puppies. The room has a wood-toned interior with large and small climbing steps, and the cats are friendly pedigree breeds such as Minuets. Visits are charged by time and include free soft drinks, and cat treats are sold at the counter. The cafe suits a short stop during shopping at the centre. It is open every day, with last entry 30 minutes before closing.

Kumamoto · 1.9 mi / 3.1 km

Nyanko ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​​‌⁠Chaya Nyandamari is a small cat cafe in Tatsuda, Kita Ward, in the northeast of Kumamoto, run by Parva Angeli, a Maine Coon breeder. Most of the resident cats are Maine Coons, joined by a few rescued cats, and the cafe introduces each cat by name and personality. Visits are charged per 45 minutes with one drink included and extended in 15-minute steps, with lower rates for junior high and high school students and elementary school children, and preschoolers enter free. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. The owners ask parents to keep a close eye on small children, not to chase or pick up cats against their will, and to let sleeping kittens rest. Kittens from the cattery are sold separately. Parking is limited, so public transport is recommended. The cafe is normally closed midweek and sometimes closes at short notice.

Kumamoto · 4.0 mi / 6.4 km

Neko ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌⁠Cafe MICO is a cat cafe in Nishibaru, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto, a short walk from the Shin-Nabe-iriguchi bus stop and about five minutes by car from the Kumamoto interchange. Its cats are pedigree breeds, including Scottish Folds, Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats, Russian Blues, Ragdolls, American Curls, Persians, Munchkins, Somalis, LaPerms and British Shorthairs. The building is open through three floors, giving the cats plenty of climbing space. Visits are charged per 30 minutes plus one drink order, with 10-minute extensions, and there are longer packages that include a drink, sweets or pasta. Elementary school children and visitors over 65 get a discount, and preschoolers can visit only during a kids' hour in the late morning, booked by phone. Visitors must wear socks, booking is recommended, and payment is cash only. The cafe stays open later on Fridays, Saturdays and evenings before holidays, and closes on Thursdays.

• Booking recommended

Kumamoto · 5.0 mi / 8.0 km

Nekokai ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌⁠is a cat cafe on the second floor of the purpose-built Neko Building in Kokaihonmachi, Chuo Ward, near the Kokai shopping street northeast of central Kumamoto. Its owner began trapping street cats around the Suizenji area and ended up with more than 40, and the cafe was opened so that the cats could help pay for their own food and vet bills. About half of them are former strays that remain wary of people, so visitors are warned they may be scratched, while kittens born at the cafe are relaxed and affectionate. The cats are not offered for adoption. Visits are charged per 10 minutes with no drink order required, drinks are sold at the counter, and payment is cash only. Children must be of elementary school age or older and come with an adult. Socks are required. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays and most public holidays.

Kumamoto · 5.6 mi / 8.9 km

Kotatsu ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​​​‌​‌‌‌⁠Beya Myaan is a rescue cat adoption salon in Minamitsuboimachi, Chuo Ward, in the Kaminoura area near the Kamitori arcade in central Kumamoto. It is run by a local volunteer who also leads street-cat neutering work in the city, and it presents itself as an adoption event held every day. Visitors can sit at a kotatsu table, drink tea and play with or hold the cats, which range from young kittens to calm adult cats. There is no set fee; visitors pay what they wish as a donation to the rescue work. All cats are looking for homes, and the salon also welcomes volunteers. Opening hours vary and are posted on Instagram, often in the afternoon with longer weekend sessions, so it is best to check or call before visiting.

• Adoptable cats

Kikuchi, Kumamoto · 5.9 mi / 9.5 km

Yururi ⁠‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​⁠Cafe is a rural cat cafe in Kyokushi Kawabe, Kikuchi, about 30 minutes by car from the Ueki interchange and a 7-minute walk from the Hoikuen-mae bus stop. The ground floor is a cafe serving set meals, sweets and drinks, and the upstairs is given over to around 20 cats, many of them rescues, kept in several rooms grouped by health and temperament. The cats range from playful to plump and laid-back, and most are friendly with visitors. Entry includes one drink with no time limit, and there is also a package with a set meal. The owner runs the cafe alone, so food can take a while, especially on busy weekends. Small children must be accompanied by a parent. Cats are available for adoption, but the cafe does not take in cats from the public. It is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays and has parking.

• Adoptable cats