Stray Cats

Shiojiri, Nagano · 22 mi / 35 km

Mofumofu Shiojiri is a permanent rescue cat adoption space inside the Watahan home centre in Hirooka, Shiojiri, run by Mofumofudo, the Matsumoto rescue group behind Neko Cafe Mofumofu. It is the first such space in a Watahan store and was set up so that people curious about rescue cats can meet them on an ordinary shopping trip rather than at a one-off adoption event. Rescued cats live in the space, and visitors can go in to stroke and play with them, with a regular treat time when the cats' health allows. All the cats are looking for adoptive homes, and adoption follows the group's own process, with staff explaining rescue work to visitors. The space also stocks pet food. It opens from 11 AM to 3 PM and is closed on Mondays; its days and hours differ from the store's and from the Matsumoto cafe.

• Adoptable cats

Matsumoto, Nagano · 24 mi / 39 km

Cat Cafe Coorikuya Matsumoto is a branch of the Coorikuya cat cafe chain on the second floor of the Coo&RIKU pet shop in Muraimachi-kita, southern Matsumoto, about 14 minutes on foot from Hirata Station on the JR Shinonoi Line and seven minutes by car from the Shiojiri-kita interchange. Its room is home to a group of resident cats, mostly pedigree breeds, that visitors can play with, stroke and feed with treats bought on site. Visits are charged per 30 minutes, per hour or as a free-time pass, with an all-you-can-drink drink bar included, and Wi-Fi and power outlets are free. Children under three enter free, and children below junior high school age must come with an adult relative. The pet shop downstairs sells puppies and kittens. The cafe opens an hour earlier on weekends and holidays, and last entry is at 7:30 PM.

Matsumoto, Nagano · 26 mi / 42 km

Neko Cafe Mofumofu is the rescue cat room of Mofumofudo, a cat rescue association based in Futaba, southern Matsumoto, on the second floor of its building. The room lets visitors meet adult rescue cats waiting for new homes and see what rescued cats are like, even if they cannot keep a cat themselves. The group has worked for about ten years with the Matsumoto health centre, which now has zero euthanasia, and today takes in many cats from hoarding cases and from elderly owners who can no longer care for them. Visits are charged per hour, with drinks ordered separately; food is no longer served, but cat goods and supplies are sold. Cats can be adopted through the group's own process, and monthly adoption events are held. The room is closed on Tuesdays, and a sister adoption space operates in the Watahan store in Shiojiri.

• Adoptable cats

Matsumoto, Nagano · 28 mi / 44 km

Cat Cafe MOCHA AEON Mall Matsumoto is a branch of the MOCHA cat cafe chain on the first floor of the Soraniwa building at AEON Mall Matsumoto, in central Matsumoto within walking distance of JR Matsumoto Station. Opened in April 2025 as the chain's first branch in Nagano Prefecture, it has glass walls that let passers-by see in. Around two dozen cats live in the cafe, including Ragdolls, Ragamuffins, Persians, Siberians, Minuets, Scottish Folds and American Shorthairs. Visits are charged in 10-minute units with a daily maximum, and the fee includes free drinks. No booking is needed and there is no age limit: children aged three and under enter free, and children below junior high school age must come with a guardian. Wi-Fi, power outlets and a manga library make it usable as a work space too. The cafe is open every day.

• Adoptable cats
• Walk-ins welcome

Minami Alps, Yamanashi · 29 mi / 46 km

Wan Nyan Fureai Room is an adoption-focused rescue dog and cat room in a detached house in Terabe, Minami-Alps, run by the volunteer group Animal Rescue Tai. Opened in January 2015, it lets visitors spend time indoors with dogs and cats taken in from the authorities, including shy animals and ones with disabilities, in rooms with a loft and smaller side rooms; kittens are sometimes bottle-fed on site. All the animals have health checks, vaccinations and neutering and are looking for adoptive homes, and the group gives new owners advice on care. Entry is charged per 30 minutes or per hour, with extensions in 30-minute steps, and children of elementary school age and younger pay half price with a guardian. The room opens on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in the afternoon, by phone booking, and opening days can change, so checking the group's X account first is advised.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking required

Minami Alps, Yamanashi · 29 mi / 47 km

Nyan Chatte Cafe is a small rescue cat cafe and bar in Shimizu, Minami-Alps, run by a married couple who also carry out cat rescue work. Ten rescued cats live in the cafe, and the aim is to show visitors how lovable rescue cats are and what their situation is. Because the couple can only look after a few guests at once, at most two groups are admitted at the same time; booking is by phone on the day only, from 30 minutes before opening, and walk-ins are taken when there is space. There is no age limit, but children of elementary school age and younger need a guardian. Light meals, drinks, desserts and cat treats are served, and toys and blankets can be borrowed free. A reservation-only bar runs on Friday, weekend and holiday evenings, and cat boarding is also offered. There is parking for three cars.