Cat Cafes in Japan

Nanjo, Okinawa

Cafe Surin, located at 527-1 Furutaka, Ōzato, Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, is a distinctive cat cafe where visitors can enjoy meals and drinks while observing two majestic serval cats, Joka and Rurusu, in a custom-built glass enclosure. Unlike typical cat cafes, Surin focuses on these exotic African servals—known for their striking spotted coats and agility—offering a rare, up-close experience without direct interaction due to their wild nature. The cafe, housed in a former storage garage transformed through a year-long DIY effort by its cat-loving staff, boasts a modern, cozy interior and serves a menu featuring homemade dishes like simmered hamburgers and garlic shrimp, alongside seasonal bento boxes and special hors d'oeuvres. Open weekdays from 11 AM to 4 PM (last order 3 PM) and weekends/holidays until 6 PM (last order 5 PM), with closures on the second and fourth Tuesdays, Surin also offers farm-fresh eggs from its on-site Surin Farm, adding a unique local touch to this feline-focused retreat.

Setagaya, Tokyo

Nekochaya, located in the quiet residential area of Komazawa in Setagaya, Tokyo, is a unique cat café that doubles as a cozy sanctuary for both cats and humans. Founded by a self-proclaimed "cat fanatic" with decades of feline companionship experience, this home-like space offers a relaxed environment where visitors can sip tea, lounge, and interact with resident cats—five permanent "employee" cats and others awaiting adoption. Open only on Sundays from 12 PM to 8 PM, Nekochaya emphasizes cat-human coexistence, featuring thoughtful design elements like light ducts for feline sunbathing and catwalks for observation. Beyond a typical café, it serves as a hub for cat adoption and consultation, inviting guests to unwind and connect with its furry inhabitants in a setting that feels like a friend’s house.

Miyazaki

Necoutatane is a protective cat café in Miyazaki, Japan, dedicated to rescuing and rehoming cats, offering a nurturing haven for kittens born outdoors or transferred from shelters. Open on a reservation-only basis with limited capacity, it welcomes visitors on weekdays when it’s less crowded, encouraging them to call ahead to book a spot and meet the cats awaiting adoption. Facing rising costs for supplies, utilities, and feline medical care, the café announced a price adjustment effective April 1, 2025, with updated rates including tax, drinks for all courses, and cat treats for private bookings, ensuring its mission continues. A recent success story includes long-haired white-and-tabby Nanao-chan finding a forever home, while her sibling Hokuto-kun still hopes for a loving family—visitors are invited to forge these special connections in a cozy, caring environment.

Shinagawa, Tokyo

Meooow! is a protective cat café nestled in the residential neighborhood of Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, dedicated to providing a safe haven for rescue cats seeking forever homes. Open from 1 PM to 8 PM (closed Wednesdays), this cozy spot charges ¥1,000 for the first hour and ¥200 for every additional 15 minutes, offering a relaxed environment where visitors can interact with adoptable cats, some of whom may occasionally be absent due to health needs. The café features a lively mix of playful kittens and younger cats, alongside a “catio” for fresh air and a small, floor-seating playroom that fosters a homey vibe, primarily attracting local regulars who know the resident felines by name. Beyond cuddles and play, Meooow! supports adoption efforts with galleries of current and past residents, while also accepting ongoing donations of supplies to sustain its mission of feline welfare.

Chuo, Tokyo

Tamayura is a protective cat café nestled in the heart of Tokyo’s Nihonbashi Ningyocho district, just a three-minute walk from Ningyocho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya and Toei Asakusa lines. Open weekdays from 12 PM to 8 PM without reservations and weekends/holidays from 12 PM to 8 PM with phone bookings starting at noon, this cozy third-floor retreat in Chuo-ku welcomes visitors to unwind with its adoptable rescue cats. Since opening in November 2017, Tamayura has been a haven where cats—each having received love from rescuers, fosters, and volunteers—await their forever homes, with the café’s staff and guests encouraged to shower them with affection to ease their transition to new families. Beyond cuddles, it fosters a community spirit, sharing adoption success stories from 2017 onward and offering a simple yet heartfelt space for cat lovers to connect with these furry residents.

Setagaya, Tokyo

Koma Neko is a protective cat café located in Komazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, dedicated to fostering a harmonious coexistence between cats and humans while facilitating adoptions for rescue cats. Open Sundays from 12 PM to 8 PM with a casual drop-in policy (though reservations are recommended via phone or Instagram), it offers a home-like atmosphere where visitors can enjoy drinks, play with cats, and even nap alongside them for ¥1,500 for the first hour and ¥250 per additional 15 minutes. Since its inception in May 2018, Koma Neko has been a sanctuary for cats awaiting homes, featuring a mix of permanent resident "staff" cats and adoptable felines, with success stories like 135 cats finding families by March 2025. Beyond a café, it’s a community space hosting events like adoption fairs and workshops, supported by collaborations such as with Cosmo Water, all aimed at enhancing feline welfare and visitor relaxation.

Koshigaya, Saitama

Cat Café Sakura, located at Japan, 〒343-0813 Saitama, Koshigaya, 1 Chome−16−8 桧山店舗 2階, is the original 1st Branch of a participatory protective cat café in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, dedicated to celebrating the charm of adult cats and fostering joyful bonds between felines and humans. Operating Wednesday through Sunday from 1 PM to 7 PM (last entry at 6 PM), it welcomes walk-ins except on Fridays, which require reservations, providing a cozy space where visitors can interact with “Sakura cats”—strays who’ve been spayed or neutered and are ready for adoption. Run in partnership with Inagaki Animal Hospital, this café not only offers a playful environment for cat lovers but also hosts events like yoga with cats and volunteer care programs, all while promoting feline welfare through community involvement and adoption success stories. With its sister 2nd Branch nearby focusing on FIV-positive cats, Sakura 1st Branch at this specific Koshigaya address remains a heartfelt hub for cat enthusiasts to connect, contribute, and perhaps welcome a new furry family member.

Koshigaya, Saitama

Cat Café Sakura, situated at Japan, 〒343-0816 Saitama, Koshigaya, Yayoicho, 3−43 プラザシティ越谷 4F, is the 2nd Branch of a participatory protective cat café in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, devoted to highlighting the allure of adult cats and creating joyful connections between cats and visitors. Open Monday through Thursday and Saturday through Sunday from 12 PM to 7 PM (last entry at 6:30 PM) with no reservations needed except on Fridays, this welcoming space on the fourth floor of Plaza City Koshigaya invites guests to interact with “Sakura cats”—rescued strays who have been spayed or neutered and are eager for adoption. Operated in collaboration with Inagaki Animal Hospital, it offers a relaxed environment for playing with cats, participating in events like cat yoga, or joining volunteer care initiatives, all while championing feline welfare through adoption successes and community support. With amenities like Wi-Fi and a pet-friendly vibe, this location serves as a healing retreat where anyone can drop by—whether to meet the cats, work quietly on a weekday, or support the café’s mission with a visit or donation.