Best Animal Cafes in Tokyo for a Purrfect Escape
If you've been to Tokyo even once you'll agree that the Japanese capital's heart beats to a unique rhythm. In keeping with their quirkiness, nestled amongst towering neon signs and bustling crowds lie their whimsical escapes: animal cafes. Imagine sipping matcha tea or a steaming cup of espresso while fluffy Shiba Inus curl in your lap or a majestic owl perches on your arm!
Cat cafes, being pioneers in this, have now spawned a menagerie of options. Playful otters, curious capybaras or fidgety rabbits - are scenes at some of the best animal cafes in Tokyo. So, step into a world for purrs instead of honking horns and cuddles replacing concrete jungles. Discover the delightful eccentricity of some of the best animal cafes spread all over Tokyo.
Temari No Oshiro Cat Café
Prepare to be overwhelmed by cuteness at this enchanting café. This cat cafe in Tokyo is situated in the whimsical Kichijoji Petit Mura Park in the Kichijoji neighborhood and is inhabited by playful yet relaxed feline royalty. To satisfy your own appetite, you may indulge in yummy snacks including delightful parfaits adorned with cat-shaped cookies.
Don't Miss: The completely Instagrammable fairy-tale castle-like structures where the cats play and rest.
Address: Japan, 〒180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 2 Chome−33−2 (map)
Timings: Monday to Friday: 11am to 8pm; Saturday-Sunday: 10am to 8pm
Tickets: Weekdays: SGD 10; Weekends: SGD 14; After 7pm: SGD 6
Penguin Dining Cafe & Bar
That's right, you get to meet actual penguins along with a great dining experience! Even seeing the penguins is quite a healing experience. And this place allows you to feed the adorable creatures. Located just a 2-minute walk from Khichijoji Station, at this dining cafe, the comfort and "moods" of the penguins are top priority. Any feeding event depends on whether the penguins are up for it or not.
Don't Miss: Their menu features penguin-shaped treats as well!
Address: Japan, 〒180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 1 Chome−12−13 (map)
Timings: Open Daily 11:30am to 11:30pm
Tickets: SGD 9
Chiku Chiku Cafe
Hedgehog - does the animal seem too unreachable? Well, you can rub their soft bellies, feed them, pet them, and play with them…could your day get any better than this? At the Chiku Chiku hedgehog cafe in Tokyo's Shibuya City, you can do all that and say goodbye to your mundane stresses before you even realize it!
Don't Miss: They have all-you-can-drink teas and coffee here!
Address: Daikyo Shibuya Bldg., 2f, 1 Chome-13-5 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0002 (map)
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 11am to 6pm
Tickets: SGD 12/30 minutes, SGD 21/60 minutes
Tokyo Snake Center & Cafe
See snakes, touch snakes, be healed by snakes - that's the motto of Tokyo Snake Center, Japan's first snake cafe located in the region of Harajuku, Tokyo. The cafe has over 100 snake attendants on standby, as you enjoy delicious snacks and coffees while petting and playing with the cold yet cuddly reptiles.
Don't Miss: Your entry fees include a drink and the liberty to hang out with a snake of your choice!
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome−5−6, Sanpo Co., Bld., 8F (map)
Timings: Wednesday to Monday: 11am to 8pm; Tuesdays closed
Tickets: SGD 10
Cafe Hoot Hoot
At just a 10-minute walk from Shibuya station is Cafe Hoot Hoot - a hidden gem filled with guess what? Cutesy, adorable owls! Here, you can enjoy a relaxing time with friendly owls as you enjoy a drink. You will be surprised at how playful, cuddly, and sociable these birds are!
Don't Miss: The cafe allows you to take an owl home (locally, of course)! Just get in touch with them and they'll help you.
Address: 10-16 Shinsencho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0045 (map)
Timings: Monday to Friday: 1pm to 8pm; Saturday-Sunday: 12pm to 8pm
Tickets: SGD 13: 30 minutes + 1 drink, SGD 22: 1 hour + 1 drink (an additional SGD 4 every 10 minutes after that)
Harry Harajuku Terrace
At this bright, cheerful, spacious place that's literally a minute away from Harajuku Station, you get to hold and pet otters, hedgehogs, rabbits, and chinchillas! If tiny, "fits in your palm" cute little creatures are something that attracts you, a visit to Harry Harajuku Terrace is unmissable. You'll be delighted at how entertaining these little things can be!
Don't Miss: You'll love their Brooklyn cafe-style decor.
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 4 Chome−26−5 ４２６ビル 3F (map)
Timings: Monday to Friday: 1pm to 6pm; Saturday-Sunday: 11am to 6pm
Tickets: SGD 13/30 minutes
Capyneko Cafe
You have probably not seen this gentle giant before. At the Capyneko Cafe in Musashino City, you get to pet the world's largest rodents - capybaras - along with cats. The capybaras will surprise you with their playfulness and cuddles, so prepare to be delighted. For a true animal lover, they have a lovely fostering option.
Don't Miss: You get to parent the cats and capybaras…just get in touch with the cafe and they'll guide you.
Address: Japan, 〒180-0003 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Minamicho, 1 Chome−5−10 PLATANO 2階 (map)
Timings: Open Daily: 10am to 8pm
Tickets: Adults: SGD 20/1 hour (extension: SGD 10/30 min), Children: SGD 10/1 hour (extension: SGD 5/30 min)
Hachu Cafe
Snakes, bearded dragons, geckos, chameleons, and other reptiles that cozy up with you as you sip your tea; how does that sound? Well, if you're a true animal lover who loves a little bit of whimsy, at this reptile cafe in Tokyo, all your wishes will be fulfilled. Hachu Cafe in Kichijoji is your place to be.
Don't Miss: The only requirement for you to stay with your favorite dragons is ordering a drink! Is that cool or what?
Address: Japan, 〒180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 4 Chome−6−3 starlight, Starbright Bldg. 2F-B (map)
Timings: Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday: 12pm to 6pm, Saturday-Sunday: 12pm to 7pm, Wednesdays closed
Tickets: From SGD 9
Cat Cafe Mocha
Probably one of the most popular animal cafes in Tokyo, this Harajuku cat cafe lets you pet cute and cuddly felines, and savour beverages, and snacks. What's more? They also offer a cozy and bright workspace for digital nomads as well! Imagine working with your favorite fur balls for hours… could it get any better?
Don't Miss: You can pay the one-time max charge and not worry about any additional cost!
Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−14−25 クロスアベニュー原宿 4F (map)
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 10am to 8pm
Tickets: Weekdays: SGD 9/30 minutes (SGD 2 every 10 minutes thereafter), Weekends: SGD 10/30 minutes (SGD 2 every 10 minutes thereafter)
Samoyed Cafe AL
A cafe dedicated ONLY to samoyed dogs? Yes, please! There is just a place for these absolutely gorgeous creatures. Tokyo's Samoyed Cafe AL. You can pet the samoyed dogs for an hour and even buy treats to feed these playful cuddly beings while you're there. Need we add that man's best friend won't let you leave without thoroughly cheering you up?
Don't Miss: A space where you're surrounded by nothing but flawless white fluff makes for tonnes of Instagrammable moments.
Address: Japan, 〒154-0012 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Komazawa, 4 Chome−18−20 駒沢公園通り1F (map)
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 10am to 8pm
Tickets: Weekdays: SGD 19, Weekends: SGD 23
Harajuku Kawaii Zoo Land
Are you a fan of little corgis and dachshunds? Hedgehogs, otters, fennec foxes, cute puppies, little dog breeds like corgis, raccoons, and every small animal that you find cuddly cute but don't know where to find, is here! Harajuku Kawaii Zoo Land in Shibuya City, is a happy, vibrant place with enthusiastic feral lovers gather to pet these friendly creatures, whilst enjoying a snack.
Don't miss: The adorable, gorgeous, Insta-must, Barbie-pink interiors.
Address: 3 Chome-21-22 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001 (map)
Timings: Open Daily: 12pm to 6pm
Tickets: SGD 14/30 minutes
While You're At An Animal Cafe…
We know it's really exciting to visit an animal cafe. But, what makes it even more enjoyable is following some unwritten (and some written) rules.
Always pre-book your session with animals.
Check if you are allergic to certain animals before you visit.
Always ask the manager/owner about cafe rules, and make sure you follow them.
Do not pounce-on, chase, grab or squish animals. This will scare them and they might either get uncomfortable or aggressive.
Be very patient. Sometimes animals take time to come play, or they might be napping or resting. Allow them time.
It's a good practice to tip the handlers or managers.
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Have Fun for A Week
The "Have Fun in Tokyo Pass" lets you enjoy any three things to do in the city within a week. The myriad options include tourist attractions, gourmet meal vouchers, transportation, and much more. All you need to do is scan the QR code at a venue.
Unlimited Subway Rides!
Make your way around the Japanese capital doing the most popular things to do and places to see, hassle-free on the Tokyo Metro Subway. Trains arrive every 2-3 minutes, taking you to all top destinations in the city. Forget the stress of planning and navigating in the crowd with a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour ticket.
Ticket To The Tokyo Tower Observatory
Situated at the center of Tokyo, the Tokyo Tower offers stunning views of the city. It's the world's tallest self-supported steel tower standing at 333 metres. You can view Tokyo from the 150-metre-high main deck, featuring a glass floor called the Skywalk Window. The main deck also has a cafe for you to enjoy a cuppa while admiring the views.
Roppongi Hills Tokyo City View
On level 52 of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, Tokyo City View provides a unique spot for breath-taking views of the bustling city. Whether it's day or night-time, this is THE place to observe the gorgeous city and landmarks like the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Mount Fuji, etc.
Tokyo Disneyland Day Pass
Tokyo Disneyland celebrates all your favorite Disney films. This was Disney's first theme park outside of the USA. Here, you can explore seven-themed lands, seasonal decorations, parades, and more.
Commonly Asked Questions
Are animal cafes in Tokyo ethical?
Most are. A lot of cafes are involved in animal adoption and fostering programmes. Some have rescued animals staying with them.
How much does an animal café cost in Japan?
Each café is priced differently, but on an average the starting price is around SGD 9-10.
Why are pet cafes so popular in Japan?
Apart from providing instant stress relief, animals also satisfy the need of a furry companion. That's because Japan has very strict rules against pet ownership.
Is there an age limit for visiting animal cafes?
There isn't a strict age limit but children are expected to visit with grown-ups.
Can you feed the animals in cafes?
Most cafes do allow you to feed animals.