TOKYO'S CAT CAFES

While researching restaurants on line, Jane discovered the phenomenon of cat cafes in Tokyo.  Originally started in Osaka, the trend is catching on in Tokyo with at least a dozen or more cat cafes to choose from.  The concept is simple.  The cafe has a "cat staff" on hand, and patrons pay to hang out with "the staff." Toys are offered to entice the cats, but one must follow cat cafe protocol. One cat cafe serves alcohol to guests and stays open until 5:30 am.  It's hard to imagine that anyone would want to hang out and drink with cats until 5:30 in the morning.  

We found a cat cafe fairly close to our hotel, and decided we must go!  After a quick sanitation procedure, we were cleared to spend time with the precocious kitties.  Here are some photos of our visit...enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

He looks like he's talking here.....

 

A better shot of this cat--he was so pretty!!

 

 

We were served ice coffees.....

 

You could also browse through a magazine completely devoted to cats.....

 

 

This guy was the real character of the bunch. 

 

Guests are encouraged to doodle in the journals provided.
 
 
 
  Here is a link to images of cat cafes.

 

Today is our last day in Tokyo, trying to get our last minute shopping done.  The trip has been fantastic, but I'm excited to get home.  
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comments

[andrea]

Very interesting, but I think that I would end up on a respirator if I went to one, I am SO allergic! But I am so jealous that you are in Tokyo- one of my favorite cities!

[Prêt à Porter P]

......huh?

[judy@judyaldridge.com]

P--I know--right??

[Cruz]

Awww! I saw something about these on Animal Planet once LOL. This is why I love Japan! PS I would totally stay at a cat cafe until 5am

[bravegrrl]

wow... very interesting....

looks like you grrls had a blast.... i'm soooo jealous :)

xo

[The Photodiarist]

Absolutely fascinating!

[Linda]

One of the cats looked like Nao!!!

[sutton]

when i first your tweet about a "cat cafe" i was slightly scared. but after seeing these images this establishment is quite cool.

i am terribly allergic, however, i admire cats. they are a beautiful species, mysteriously stoic.

safe travels home!

[Kiki]

Those little tigers are so lovely.

:-)

[Nuria]

ahhhh these is incredible!!! cats + coffee!!!

very beautiful pictures

[susan]

very interesting, but then when you think about it......ewwwww

[Leia]

I'd love to visit a cat cafe!

[blondeonblonde]

Where do they keep the litter box(es)???

[Kazuko]

interesting concept. lovely pictures!

[Glamour]

Hmm interesting.... I don't know if I see this catching on!! Would you go back??

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[Style Odyssey]

Cats and coffee? Cool.

I would totally be into a cat cafe'. It would be hard to drag me away! I've always adored kitties.

I wonder if they were strays...Do they live at the cafe full time? They're beautiful!

[luxirare]

I want to go too, looks so relaxing, I don't find anything strange or weird about it, we have cafes and coffee shops for humans for god's sake. We're all enjoying your photographic portrayal of japan! Thanks for making sure to capture all these moments.

[Copious Couture]

OMG I am so jealous that I didn't do this while I was there!!!! So cool!

Safe flight home!
Carissa
http://copiouscouture.blogspot.com

[Daniel Vi-Tung Le]

Wow - 5:30 am!
I hope you all had a fantastic time in Japan!

[Kimada]

I never knew such cafes existed! Cool!

-K

http://cestclassique.blogspot.com/

[Elizabeth]

I think this is so neat- it must be comforting for people who aren't able to keep pets of their own (like all of the apartment-dwellers in the city). If I couldn't have a cat, I'd certainly indulge in a cat cafe :)

[Pearl Westwood]

Wow! I would never want to leave, what an amazing idea, there is nothing better than hugging pets to lirt your mood! x

[Sarah A.]

For those that are curious, according to an article I recently read about this phenomenon, cat cafes are so popular for two reasons: one, most Japanese apartment buildings do not allow pets and so this is an opportunity to interact with animals and two, apparently because of Japanese traditions, many Japanese people find that they are somewhat shy and thus, the cat company and quiet interactions are calming and a lovely break from a somewhat serious life.

Again, this is what I read! But it seems logical and delightful enough!

[Catherine at Littlehouse of Style]

I wish they had cat cafe's in New York! Or Rent-a-Puppy or something. I LOVE animals, but just don't have the schedule or space to own anything more complicated than a Beta fish. I think something like this would be a great idea for any city! Japan is so cool.

[Account Deleted]

Oh my goodness! So cute! I had no idea that anything like this existed. I love the shot of the kitties sleeping in the baskets. I spent a week in Tokyo when was sixteen. It was my favorite city then and it still remains one of my most favorite cities in the world.

[Suffern's Deborah Taxi]

Cat Cafe! What a totally cool idea- I bet they are cleaner than most cafes and probably a great idea for my allergies as I am now cat-less!
(commenter about litterboxes- I imagine there is a litterbox room just like you use a bathroom....)

[Carol]

Oh, why don't we have cat cafes here in the States? It would give so many cats a lovely home and so many people who can't have pets a wonderful place to hang out with them!

[Sarah]

That's AMAZING!!! What a wonderful, social, affectionate life for those kitties! I wish we could have something like that here for cats/animals without permanent homes. It seems like great way to beneficially socialize the humans and the cats! :)

[marila]

hey !! so cute; can you tell me where is the cat cafes in tokyo ?
thanks you (^ ^)

[Anne]

Such a lovely idea.
But I was just wondering having a trip in Japan wasn't it hard due to the language exchange? ( all those katakanas...)
Can you please tell me more about this please, because I love Japan and wanted to travel over there one day.

[Anna]

оууу... милый котик с ушками ))))

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