Nekoyado Hanahana
Gamagori, Aichi
Nekoyado Hanahana is a cat room at Nishiura Onsen in Gamagori, run by the women-only ryokan Hime-yado Hanakazashi and housed in the neighbouring building, about three minutes on foot from the Nishiura Onsen-mae bus stop. It opened in 2019 after the ryokan's proprietress took in a family of stray cats found around the inn, and around a dozen rescued cats, mostly related tabbies, now live in a converted lounge of about 200 square metres with sofas and handmade climbing furniture. The cats are permanent residents rather than adoption candidates, and most are very friendly. Visitors check in with hotel staff and then spend time with the cats unattended, paying per hour with one drink from a vending machine included. Guests of Hanakazashi use the room free of charge. No food is served, and the room occasionally closes on irregular days, so calling ahead is advisable.