SAVE THE CAT HIDA Shelter Neco Republic Hida

Takayama, Gifu · 7 mi / 11 km

Mofu Katze is the rescue cat shelter and dog and cat advice room of the NPO Mofukko Hida in Midorigaoka, Takayama. Many rescued cats waiting for permanent families live here, and the shelter is open to visitors who want to spend relaxed time with them, so every opening day works as an adoption event. Visitors can also see practical examples of how to set up a home for cats, and get advice on keeping and adopting pets, which is easier with a booking. A contribution towards running the shelter is requested. Opening hours may change at short notice because of rescue work, and visits outside the regular hours can be arranged by contacting the group. It is closed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and there is parking. The same NPO supplies the cats at the Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama cafe in the old town.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking recommended

Takayama, Gifu · 7 mi / 12 km

Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama is a rescue cat cafe in a 130-year-old townhouse in Takayama's preserved old town, about a minute on foot from the Hachimangu-mae stop of the town loop bus and five minutes by car from Takayama Station. About 20 cats rescued by the local NPO Mofukko Hida live here until they find permanent homes, so every opening day works as an adoption event. The cafe space has no cats and serves drinks only, including lattes made with Hida milk, so visitors who are not comfortable with cats can come in too. No reservation is needed and visitors are seated in order of arrival. Socks are required in the cat rooms, and children must be at least six, with a guardian for elementary school children. The last entry is at 4:30 PM and it is closed on Mondays. Holiday lodging is also offered in the same old house.

• Adoptable cats
• Walk-ins welcome

Takayama, Gifu · 8 mi / 12 km

Nyan Living is an open rescue cat shelter in Nishinoisshiki, on the western side of Takayama, where visitors can play with cats that are waiting for adoptive families. Run with the cooperation of local animal welfare groups, it is housed in a renovated old home designed to feel like a living room, with catwalks made from reused beams, natural wood cat towers, a cat rope bridge and clear ceiling panels where paws can be seen from below. Kittens and adult cats live here, and more than 140 cats have been adopted so far. Entry is charged per 30 minutes and goes towards the cats' living costs. There is an eating area where visitors may bring their own food, and free Wi-Fi makes it usable as a workspace or a rest stop while travelling. It opens daily with occasional days off.

• Adoptable cats

Toyama · 26 mi / 42 km

Tsukineko Cafe is an adoption-focused rescue cat cafe in Nakanunome, in the southern part of Toyama City, set in a Japanese house more than 100 years old with tatami rooms, a fireplace and a large garden. Opened in June 2017, it specialises in adult cats that have lost their homes, often because their owners could no longer keep them, and the cats can be adopted by suitable families. Visits are charged in 60, 120 or 180-minute courses, and each includes a drink handed over to take away rather than drunk in the cat room. Bookings, including same-day bookings, are accepted, last entry is at 3:45 PM during the current shortened hours, socks are required, and the cafe is for junior high school students and older. It opens on Saturdays and Sundays, and the monthly schedule, including closures for adoption events, is posted on its website. Parking is available.

• Adoptable cats

Toyama · 29 mi / 47 km

Nekoyasumi is a small adoption-focused rescue cat cafe run from a private home in Horikawahongo, a residential area of Toyama City, alongside the Cherish dog grooming salon. Nine resident cats, all former rescues, live here with cats waiting for new families, and visitors who wish to adopt can apply under the cafe's own conditions. Visits are by reservation only, with room for six people, and groups usually have the room to themselves, so the cats stay relaxed. Staff explain each cat's character and how to handle them at the start. Drinks such as cafe mocha and matcha latte are served, but feeding treats is not allowed for health reasons, and socks and masks are required. Visitors must be of elementary school age or older. The cafe opens Friday to Monday with last entry at 4:45 PM, and also offers boarding for pet cats.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking required

Imizu, Toyama · 33 mi / 53 km

Dog Cat Cafe & Shop Paw is a pet shop with a cat and dog cafe room in Kurokawashin, Imizu, about 15 minutes on foot from Kosugi Station on the Ainokaze Toyama Railway. The cafe room feels like visiting a home, with a group of cats, many of them Scottish Folds, and a dog sharing the space. Visits are charged per hour with one drink included, and last entry is at 5 PM. The owner is a qualified pet care adviser who is happy to talk about cat care, feeding and grooming. The shop next door sells premium food and goods, offers cat-only grooming and boarding for cats and dogs, and also breeds and sells kittens, mainly Scottish Folds. The cat and dog cafe opens on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, while Thursdays are reserved for the dog cafe, and the shop sometimes closes for local events.