Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama

Takayama, Gifu · 1.5 mi / 2.5 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

Takayama, Gifu · 1.6 mi / 2.5 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

Hida, Gifu · 7 mi / 12 km

SAVE THE CAT HIDA is a Neco Republic rescue shelter in central Hida-Furukawa, close to Hida City Hall. Set up with the help of Hida's hometown tax donations, it takes in cats from the Hida region, with a hospice section for elderly and sick cats, and rehomes them. Cats that have finished quarantine live in an open free space with plenty of catwalks and steps, and visitors can go in and interact with them for a small donation per person on entry. Most of the cats are adults and the atmosphere is calm. An attached shop sells Hida souvenirs in cat packaging, such as ramen, coffee and rice crackers, with profits going to the cats. The shelter also runs Nekokura no Yado, a guest house on the same site where guests can visit the cats. It opens every afternoon, with irregular days off.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking recommended

Toyama · 32 mi / 52 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 · 35 mi / 57 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

Azumino, Nagano · 36 mi / 58 km

Cat Cafe Baron is a cat cafe in Hotaka-Kashiwabara, Azumino, with a spacious cat room where about 25 cats roam freely among sofas and cat trees. The cats include Norwegian Forest Cats, Maine Coons, Tonkinese, Munchkins, Bengals, Abyssinians, Sphynxes, Selkirk Rexes and several mixed breeds, and visitors can feed them treats and play with toys. Visits are charged for 60 or 90 minutes, or as a weekday free-time pass, with one drink included, and there are lower rates for students, children and preschoolers, who must come with an adult. No booking is needed, but the room holds 10 visitors, so guests may have to wait when it is full; private use from 10 AM to noon can be booked the day before. Kittens are rehomed from late spring, and the cafe also offers cat boarding. It is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays and has parking for eight cars.

• Adoptable cats
• Walk-ins welcome