Tokyo and animal cafes go hand-in-hand; you’ll find them in every major area of Tokyo. That said, the first animal café—a cat café—was actually established in Taiwan in 1998. It became all the rage, and Japan hopped on board, opening its first animal café in 2004. Since then, animal cafes in Japan have been popping up in many more countries.
But, Japan arguably does it best; it’s the mecca that took the concept and went wild with it. Instead of just cat and dog cafes, Japan’s established hedgehog cafes, micro pig cafes, snake cafes, and more! The Harajuku Zooland even features meerkats, capybaras, ferrets, and otters!
No matter what kind of pet you’re into, there’ll probably be a cuddly café for it in Tokyo! Check out this guide where we introduce our favourite animal cafes in Japan!
Animal Cafes in Japan Worth Your Visit!
Mame Shiba Inu Café (Harajuku)
Mame Shiba inus (“bean shiba inus” in English) are Shiba inus that have been bred to be smaller than their regular-sized ancestors. Most stand at 11 inches and weigh a mere 10 to 14 pounds.
Come say ‘hi’ to these little beans in Harajuku!
They seem to be the least busy during weekday mornings. They don’t take reservations and you can’t choose your time slot so we recommend you head to the café as soon as you arrive in Harajuku, so you can hopefully receive a better time slot! Afterwards, you can leave and walk around Harajuku until it’s your time to meet the little beans.
Hours: 11am-7pm (weekdays) 10:30am-7:30pm (weekends & holidays)
Cost: 680 yen (children 6-12 years old); 880 yen (adults) for 30 minutes
Location: 3F, 1-6-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku Tokyo
Website: http://owls-cats-forest.com/free/mameshiba-harajuku
Mipig Cafe
If you Google “mini pig” images, you’ll notice they look very different than the ones in the image above. That’s because pictured above are micro pigs, not mini pigs! Although the name of the café is a shortened version of the words “mini pig”, the pigs there are actually micro pigs which are far smaller than mini pigs and, of course, regular pigs.
Mipig is the first micro pig cafe in Japan, online reservations available by this link: https://mipig.cafe/booking/. VIP rooms are also available. Be sure to get there 10 minutes before your reservation!
* Bonus! If you go on Sundays, you get a mini cake that’s shaped like a pig!
* Mipig cafe accepts only cash
Hours: 10am-8pm Everyday
Cost: 1000 yen for 30 minutes
Location:
Meguro- 4 Chome-11-番3号 Meguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0063, Japan
Harajuku – Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−15−4 Barbizon76
Website: https://mipig.co.jp/
Neko No Mise (Machida)
Of course, this guide wouldn’t be complete without the classic cat café. Neko no Mise was the first cat cafe to open in Japan in 2015! There are many comfortable seats in the play area and you can bring your own lunch bento. The cover charge is in 10-minute increments.
Hours:
12-10pm (monday,wednesday,thursday,friday)
Closed tuesdays
11am-10pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Cost: 150 yen/10 minutes, 1500 yen/2 hours
Location: Japan, 〒194-0013 Tokyo, Machida, Haramachida, 1 Chome−2−9 小林ビル202号室
Website: http://www.nya-n.jp
Asakusa Nekoen (Asakusa)
We’re including another cat café in this guide, because we just can’t pick between the two we narrowed it down to!
All of the cats here are rehabilitated strays, and some of the kitties are looking for foster parents! It’s located a 6-10 minutes’ walk from the Tobu, Ginza, and Toei lines. A couple of things to know before you go are that socks are required and you can buy cat food for 100 yen.
Hours: 11am-9pm everyday except tuesdays
Cost:
Adults 800 yen/1 hour
Children 700 yen/1 hour
*Each additional 30 mins for 200 yen
Location: Japan, 〒111-0032 Tokyo, Taito City, Asakusa, 3 Chome−1−1 馬道妙見屋ビル 6F
Website: http://www.asakusanekoen.com/index_english.html
Tokyo Snake Café (Harajuku)
This cafe opened in 2015 and is located in Harajuku, close to some of the other animal cafes in this guide. There are around 20 different species of snakes and the average time spent here is 60 minutes.
Hours: 11am-8pm Closed on tuesdays
Cost: 1000 yen cover charge plus 540 yen handling charge
Location: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome−5−6 サンポウ綜合ビル 8F
Website: http://snakecenter.jp
Owl Village Café (Harajuku)
This cafe is located in Harajuku, near the other animal cafes, making it convenient for a day trip! Credit cards are accepted and you can make reservations in advance. Also, a souvenir is included with the cover fee.
Hours: 11am-8pm everyday
Cost: 2000-2500 yen for one hour
Location: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−21−15 原宿ATMビル4F
Website: https://www.owlvillage-en.jp
Chiku Chiku Café: Hedgehog Home & Café (Shibuya)
Reservations are available online at https://reserve.hedgehoghome.cafe/shibuya/?lang=en. Pictures are allowed and it’s located a mere 2 minutes’ walk from shibuya station!
Hours: 11am-7pm everyday
Cost: 1300 yen/30 minutes, 2400 yen/60 minutes
Location: 大協渋谷ビル 2f, 1 Chome-13-5 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan
Website: https://hedgehoghome.cafe/en\
Ra.a.g.f Rabbit Café (Harajuku)
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ardenstreet/17880845426
Located just a short 3-minute walk from Meji-jingumae station, this rabbit cafe features 10 different species of rabbits! Coffee and drinks are included with cover fee.
Hours: 12pm-7pm (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday), 11am-7:30pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Cost: 700 yen/30 minutes; 1,100 yen/60 minutes; 550 yen/each additional 30 minutes
Location: 6 Chome-14-15 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Website: http://raagf.com
Harajuku Kawaii Zooland (Harajuku)
Reservations are available. Harajuku Kawaii Zooland features capybaras, ferrets, fennec foxes and meerkats! Conveniently located in the center of Takeshita Street.
Hours: 11am-7pm
Cost: Adult (16+) 1540 yen/40 minutes; Child 1210 yen/40 minutes
Location: 3 Chome-21-22 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001
Website: https://www.hisgo.com/j1/Contents/OptionalTour/DetailOptionalTour.aspx?TourCd=TYO1370&lang=en
Experience the Magic of Animal Cafes in Japan
Visiting animal cafes in Japan offers a unique and delightful experience, allowing you to interact with a variety of adorable creatures in charming and relaxed settings. From playful Shiba Inus and tiny micro pigs to exotic snakes and rehabilitated cats, these cafes cater to all animal lovers. Each venue provides a distinct atmosphere and opportunity to connect with animals you might not encounter in your everyday life. The meticulous care and creativity behind each café reflect Japan’s passion for these enchanting spots, making them must-visit locations for tourists and locals alike.
Exploring these animal cafes is not just about enjoying the company of animals; it’s also about experiencing a part of Japanese culture that emphasises harmony with nature and animals. Whether you’re wandering through the bustling streets of Harajuku or the serene neighbourhoods of Asakusa, there’s always an animal café nearby to offer a break from the hustle and bustle. So, when you plan your next trip to Japan, make sure to include a visit to one or more of these delightful animal cafes, where unforgettable memories and heartwarming moments await.
