Nekonotobira

Nose, Osaka · 7 mi / 10 km

Japan Animal Trust Happy House is a large animal shelter in the countryside of Nose, in northern Osaka, run by a public-interest foundation that cares for abandoned and homeless animals and rehomes them. The shelter houses around 100 friendly cats in its main cat house and roughly another 100 shy cats in a separate room, along with about 150 dogs, senior dogs and a small number of other animals. A guided group tour of the facility starts at 2 PM every day and must be booked in advance, ideally by the day before. A shuttle runs once a day from Myokenguchi Station on the Nose Electric Railway for visitors who reserve it. Adoption is arranged through the foundation's own process, and the shelter also holds adoption events and accepts donations.

• Adoptable cats

Kameoka, Kyoto · 8 mi / 13 km

Garden Morris is a British-style countryside cafe in the mountains of Hatano, Kameoka, about 30 minutes by car from JR Kameoka Station. The owner and staff fitted out the interior themselves with William Morris wallpaper, mouldings and a mantelpiece, and the cafe shares its home with about ten rescue cats, each introduced by name on the cafe's staff page, including a long-haired white cat with odd eyes. Visitors can order lunch, sandwiches, curry and dessert sets while the cats are around, and a two-hour private cat interaction plan with lunch can be booked through Jalan. The cafe usually opens on weekends from late morning to mid-afternoon, with business days posted each month. Pets are allowed on the terrace, parking is available in front, and the owners also run a pet-friendly guesthouse.

Itami, Hyogo · 9 mi / 14 km

Cat Cafe Smile Again is a small rescue cat cafe in Nishino, Itami, a minute on foot from the Nishino bus stop, which is served by Itami city buses from Hankyu and JR Itami stations and by Hanshin buses from Takarazuka Station. It is an adoption cafe, and its name reflects the hope that its rescued cats will find homes and smile again. Designed to feel like a family living room, it is split into a cat booth and a separate cafe booth that can be used on its own. Visits to the cat booth are charged per 60 minutes with one drink, with 30-minute extensions and no separate child rate. Reservations are given priority. Children below elementary school age are not admitted, and children under high school age must come with a guardian. The cafe opens on weekends and public holidays only.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking recommended

Toyonaka, Osaka · 10 mi / 15 km

Butter is a crepe cafe in Shoji, Toyonaka, with a separate rescue cat room that visitors can use alongside the cafe. The cat room is home to a small group of rescued cats, including Hope, Leo and Rea, and is open whenever the cafe is open. Entry to the room is by a small donation per person, with lower rates for children, and each guest orders one drink. There is no time limit, though stays may be capped at two hours when busy. Walk-ins are accepted when there is space, but reservations by Instagram message are recommended, especially at weekends. Socks are required, chocolate items are not served in the room, and only treats sold by the shop may be given to the cats. Pets are welcome in the main cafe, and the shop occasionally runs evening bar nights.

Kobe, Hyogo · 10 mi / 17 km

Cat Cafe Mocha AEON Mall Kobe Kita, located in Hyogo Prefecture's Kobe city, provides a spacious and family-friendly retreat for cat lovers aged 3 and up (children under 12 require adult supervision). Situated on the 2nd floor of AEON Mall Kobe Kita at 8-1-1 Kozudai, Kita-ku, Kobe-shi, near Route 428 and accessible via a free shuttle from JR Sanda Station or Shintetsu Koen-Toshi Line's Minami Woody Town Station, no reservations are required. Admission is timed and extendable in 10-minute increments, with an optional 350 yen for unlimited vending machine drinks. Guests can enjoy a clean, cozy space with a variety of cats, and limited-edition cat snacks are available for purchase to share with the felines. Rules such as no chasing or flash photography help ensure the cats' comfort. Set within a bustling mall in Kobe's northern suburbs, it's a perfect spot for a relaxing feline break.

• Adoptable cats
• Walk-ins welcome

Amagasaki, Hyogo · 11 mi / 17 km

Neko Kukan CYAMOLA is a small, homely cat cafe in Mukomotomachi in the Mukonoso area of Amagasaki. Five friendly cats live here, and the cafe aims to be a relaxed space where visitors can play with them, simply watch them, or stop by for a short break or a chat. On weekdays visitors pay a flat free-time rate with no time limit, while on weekends and holidays visits are limited to two hours. Guests may bring their own drinks, but food, including sweets and gum, is not allowed. Reservations can be made through Hot Pepper, by phone during opening hours or through LINE, and the space can be booked privately for groups. Children below elementary school age are not admitted. The cafe is closed on Tuesdays and posts videos of its cats on YouTube and TikTok.

• Booking recommended