Kyoto, Japan
The Cat Retreat at Utanekodo
The Cat Retreat at Utanekodo is a tranquil sanctuary tucked inside a traditional townhouse in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. Set across quiet, tatami-style spaces, this reservation-only retreat pairs a small cafe area with a serene lounge where rescued cats roam freely at their own pace. The sanctuary is home to a group of cats each with their own rescue story, from former stray kittens to cats saved from pet-industry conditions and animal welfare centers, cared for with a focus on their comfort and dignity rather than adoption placement. Visits center on a mindful matcha tea ceremony experience paired with a seasonal Japanese sweet, with soft drinks available for those who prefer them. Signature cafe offerings include the Cat Cream Soda and Cat Matcha Parfait. Guests are welcomed to relax, respect the cats, and share a calm moment in their company.
Before you go
- Booking
- Booking required
- Entry
- Entry or time fee
- Children
- All ages welcome
- Food & drink
- Drinks and snacks
- Adoption
- Resident cats, not for adoption
Based on the cafe's website and visitor reviews, checked October 2026. Policies change, so confirm with the cafe before you visit.
Reviews
Cat Cafes Nearby
Cat's Eye
Kyoto0.2 mi / 0.4 km
Cat's Eye is a unique cat cafe nestled in the heart of Kyoto, where art and felines converge to create a serene oasis. Despite its compact size, the cafe boasts a large south-facing window that allows cats to bask in the winter sun. The cats, all rescue animals, are known for their affectionate nature, and a photo gallery on the website showcases their adorable antics and the cafe's cozy atmosphere. With a focus on providing a peaceful retreat, Cat's Eye invites visitors to unwind and connect with these lovable felines over a cup of coffee or tea.
- Walk-ins welcome
Cat Cafe Mocha Kyoto Kawaramachi
Kyoto0.4 mi / 0.7 km
Cat Cafe Mocha Kyoto Kawaramachi, located in Kyoto Prefecture's enchanting Kyoto city, offers a serene and stylish retreat for cat enthusiasts aged 6 and up (children under 12 require adult supervision). Situated on the 5th floor at 409 Izutsuyacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, just a 2-minute walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station's Exit 9 or a short stroll from Gion-Shijo Station, no reservations are needed. Admission is charged in 30-minute increments (extendable in 10-minute intervals), and an optional fee of 350 yen covers unlimited vending machine drinks. Visitors can unwind with a variety of cats and enjoy their charming feeding sessions, watching some munch eagerly while others playfully interrupt. Limited-edition cat snacks are available for purchase to bond with the felines, though rules like no chasing or flash photography ensure their comfort. Nestled in the vibrant Kawaramachi shopping district near Takashimaya, it's a delightful feline haven blending Kyoto's traditional charm with modern relaxation.
- Adoptable cats
- Walk-ins welcome
Busakawa Cafe Kyoto Kawaramachi
Kyoto0.5 mi / 0.8 km
Busakawa Cafe Kyoto Kawaramachi is a dog and cat cafe on the fourth floor of the Regione Building on Kawaramachi-dori opposite Kyoto BAL, about 5 minutes on foot from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. Opened in July 2024 as a sister shop of Inu Cafe Rio Kyoto, it is built around "busakawa" (ugly-cute) animals with flat or comical faces. Small dogs such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas and Dachshunds share the room with cats including two Ragdolls, a Munchkin, a Russian Blue, a British Shorthair and an American Shorthair, and each animal has scheduled rest breaks during the day. Visits are charged per 30 minutes with a drink, then in 10-minute extensions, and treats can be bought to feed the animals. Holding the animals is not allowed. Children are welcome, and those of junior high school age or younger must come with a guardian. The cafe is open every day.
Fluffy's cafe
Kyoto0.6 mi / 0.9 km
Fluffy's cafe is a cat cafe on Ura-Teramachi, just east of Shinkyogoku off Takoyakushi-dori in central Kyoto, about five minutes on foot from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. It is the renamed and renewed form of the long-running cat cafe Wan Nyan Chu. The cafe spreads over two floors: the ground floor, formerly a cafe space, has been converted into a cat room, and the upper floor is home to the longer-serving cats. Around 17 cats are in residence, mostly pedigree breeds such as Russian Blues, Maine Coons, British Shorthairs, Exotics, Munchkins, Norwegian Forest Cats and Scottish Folds. Entry is charged in plans from 30 to 120 minutes, with a higher weekend rate, plus a required one-drink order. Children of all ages are welcome, and infants who cannot yet crawl enter free. Kittens are also sold. Closures are irregular, roughly once every three months.
Kyoto Hyo-neko no Mori
Kyoto0.7 mi / 1.1 km
Kyoto Hyo-neko no Mori is a Bengal cat cafe in the Shinkyogoku and Teramachi shopping area of central Kyoto, a short walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. Its leopard-patterned Bengals live in a jungle-themed room, and the cafe lists around a dozen resident cats by name. In July 2026 it moved about a minute's walk from its former Shinkyogoku site and now shares a floor with the same company's Kyoto Mameshiba Cafe; the company's owl cafe is also close by, and a receipt from either gives a small discount. Tickets are sold at the counter on the day only, with no phone or online reservations, and cover 30 minutes and one drink, with extensions in 10-minute steps. Children aged 4 to 12 pay a reduced rate and must come with a guardian, and children under 4 are not admitted. There is no regular closing day, and socks are required.
- Walk-ins welcome
Cat & Animal Cafe Noah's Ark Gion
Kyoto0.9 mi / 1.4 km
Cat & Animal Cafe Noah's Ark Gion is a large cat and animal cafe on the second floor of the Gion Kaikan building in Gion, Higashiyama, about a minute's walk from Yasaka Shrine and five minutes on foot from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station. Around 40 cats share the space with ferrets and other animals such as meerkats and, at times, a raccoon dog. The cats come from partner breeders, and many are retired breeding cats. Visits are charged for the first 30 minutes and then in 10-minute extensions up to a cap, with a free-time option, higher weekend rates and one drink per person. Walk-ins are welcome, reservations can be made, and there is no age limit. The cafe opens every day. Cats and other animals can be taken home for a fee, as the cafe sells rather than adopts out its animals. Visitors may also bring vaccinated pet ferrets.