Cat Cafes in Ishigaki, Okinawa

Ishigaki, Okinawa

Catcafe Chura-neko is a small cat cafe in Miyara on Ishigaki Island, on the road between the town centre and New Ishigaki Airport, about 10 minutes by car from the airport, which makes it a common stop before a flight. It calls itself the southernmost cat cafe in Japan. The cats are calm and spend much of their time napping or sunbathing, and the owner explains each cat's character to visitors. Visits are charged per 30, 45 or 60 minutes, then in 15-minute extensions, with lower rates for preschool children aged four and over, and a bottled drink is included. Lint rollers are provided on the way out. The owner also runs a cat hotel and pet sitting, so the cafe sometimes closes on irregular days; checking Instagram or calling ahead is advisable. For car navigation, set the destination to Miyara 97-106.

Ishigaki, Okinawa

Nyanko no Shippo is a gallery and cat goods shop in a house in the north of Ishigaki Island, run single-handedly by a woman who rescues abandoned cats on the island. More than 30 rescued cats live in the house and wander freely among visitors, greeting them and climbing onto laps; some are blind or have walking difficulties. There is no entry fee. The shop sells cat-themed goods and shows life-size tole paintings of cats, and the proceeds, along with a donation box, pay for the cats' veterinary treatment and rescue work. Several cats are available for adoption, and the shop also takes part in local adoption events. Look for the large sign at the entrance; the shop is in the detached house just past it, up a short slope.

• Adoptable cats

Ishigaki, Okinawa

Cat Lounge &PAW is a rescue cat lounge in Shinei-cho, Ishigaki, scheduled to open on November 4, 2026. It was set up with the aim of ending the culling of cats on Ishigaki and changing the future of the island's rescued cats, and the idea is that simply visiting and spending time with the cats supports rescue work. The interior has an Alice in Wonderland theme. Opening hours, fees and booking details had not been announced before the opening and will be posted on the lounge's Instagram and TikTok accounts.