Hogoneko Cafe Neko Kawaigari

Kashihara, Nara · 1.3 mi / 2.1 km

Wafu Oke Neko Kissa, known as Okeneko, is a rescue and adoption cat cafe in Yagicho, Kashihara, about two minutes on foot from Yagi-Nishiguchi Station and a short walk from Yamato-Yagi Station. Opened in 2014, it is named after the wooden tubs (oke) the cats nap in. The cafe is the base of a rescue operation that has taken in more than 700 cats from the prefectural animal centre, other groups and the public and found homes for over 650 of them, so the cats on site are a changing group of friendly lap cats waiting for adoption after medical care. Visits are charged by time and no booking is needed, but calling ahead to check how busy it is is recommended. Drinks are no longer served, and socks must be worn (no tights). The cafe closes on Tuesdays, with last entry an hour before closing.

• Adoptable cats

Kashihara, Nara · 2.5 mi / 4.0 km

Hogoneko Cafe Meenya is a rescue cat cafe in Nakazoshicho, in the Masuga area in the west of Kashihara. Its stylish, clean room is shared by a few resident cats and rescued cats looking for adoptive homes, and almost all of them are used to people, with several happy to roll over for a stroke or climb onto a lap. Cats may not be picked up. Visits are charged by time with a drink, multi-visit tickets are sold, and part of the takings supports the cafe's rescue work. Bookings get priority and are taken only by phone during opening hours. Visitors must be of elementary school age or older, children up to junior high school need a guardian, and socks are required. The cafe closes on Wednesdays and Fridays, and temporary closures or shorter hours are announced on Facebook and Instagram.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking recommended

Yamatotakada, Nara · 4.1 mi / 6.6 km

Cat Cafe SHANA is a small, homely cat cafe on the ground floor of a building in Kitahonmachi, Yamatotakada, about a minute on foot from Kintetsu Yamato-Takada Station. The room feels like a living room, with floor chairs and a kotatsu in winter, and seats around four groups at a time, so it suits visitors who prefer a quiet visit. Its calm, people-loving cats, some of them rescues, are known for settling on laps soon after guests sit down. Visits are charged by the hour with one drink included, and light meals such as sandwiches are available. Booking is possible, but walk-ins are welcome when there is space, and weekdays are usually quieter. The cafe is open until 8 PM, which makes it an option after work, and closes on Tuesdays.

Kanmaki, Nara · 7 mi / 11 km

Alley Cats Sanctuary Cafe is a reservation-only rescue cat cafe in a house in the Yoneyamadai residential area of Kanmaki, in Kitakatsuragi District west of Yamato-Takada. It presents itself as a sanctuary where rescued cats live out their lives, and visitors ring the intercom and are let in by staff, since the front door is kept locked to stop cats slipping out. A flat admission fee covers a stay of up to about three hours with free drinks and toys on loan, children pay the same rate, and a light meal of the day can be ordered. Wi-Fi is available, and the attached NecoWork co-working and study space lets people work among the cats. Socks are required. The cafe closes on Wednesdays and occasionally on other days for vet visits, with last entry an hour before closing, and evening visits can be arranged on request.

• Booking required

Tenri, Nara · 8 mi / 13 km

Neko Manma is a rescue cat salon run by the volunteer group Team Neko Manma inside Tsumugu House, a community building in Kuranoshocho in the north of Tenri. The nearest station is Ichinomoto on the JR Manyo Mahoroba Line, 15 to 20 minutes on foot, and there is parking on site. The salon houses cats taken in from the street and from breeders, from kittens to adults, and visitors can spend time with them for an hourly admission fee whether or not they plan to adopt. Cats are rehomed after an application and screening, and the group also holds adoption events from time to time. Opening days are irregular, usually including Thursdays and weekends, and the schedule is posted on Instagram, so checking there or calling before a visit is recommended.

• Adoptable cats

Kashiwara, Osaka · 10 mi / 17 km

Sakura Chaya is a small rescue cat cafe in a residential house in Asahigaoka, Kashiwara, in the hills near Osaka Kyoiku-daimae Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line; a cat cafe banner outside marks the entrance. It opened in June 2024 and is run by a local cat rescuer, and the house is home to many rescued cats, from kittens to adults, some of which are still shy with people while others are playful and friendly. Visits are charged by the hour with one drink included, and booking ahead is recommended. The cafe usually opens in the afternoon, with early-evening visits available by reservation. Cats are rehomed to new families, and the cafe holds regular adoption events on site that are free to attend, including for visitors who simply want to meet the cats. The owner also offers advice to people dealing with stray or unwanted cats.

• Adoptable cats