My First Trip to a Cat Cafe!

One small key chain, hours of entertainment. Who can resist the soft pads of a kitty's paw?

If you’re familiar with Japan at all, you know all about their love of cat-related things – these squishy cat paw key chains, anime cat girls, this popular cat – and the awesomeness that is cat cafes. Cafes are another thing Japan loves, evidenced by maid and, more recently, butler cafes (which I will eventually visit and give my full report on, I promise you readers). Maid cafes are even so popular that they have opened in the states. Japan aficionados have brought back their love of cat cafes to places like London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and New York. Just what makes them so desirable to emulate?

For starters, the cats are so darn cute. Everyone likes coffee. Everyone likes cats. Put ‘em together and – MEOW! Purrfect. Their sheer popularity and demand in Japan stems from cramped apartments and strict rules about pets, leaving many Tokyoites with long nights with nothing small and fluffy to cuddle with. Plus everyone works such long hours here, leaving everyone drained by the time they finally make it home at midnight from the obligatory nomikai and with no energy to take feed and care for another living being, much less cuddle with it.

To my surprise, cat cafes did not originate in Japan but debuted in Taiwan in 1998, adored by Japanese tourists, brought back to Japan, and flourished into what it is today. The first Japanese cat cafe was called “Neko no Jikan” (cat’s time) and appeared in Osaka only a little over ten years ago back in 2004. What?! Cat cafes haven’t been around forever?? (T_T) Although the first official maid cafe was only started in 2001. Amazing! Now there are cat cafes all around the world, and as many as 58 locations in Tokyo alone.

Coming to live and work in Japan a little over two years ago, cat cafes were definitely on my to-do list (the butler cafe remains!). But I just never got around to it. Then one rainy day my friend and I were looking for something to do to pass the time when I randomly spotted a sign for a cat cafe across the street from Harajuku station. We jumped at the chance. Or should I say pounced..?

The cafe is called Cat Café MoCHA, and I really enjoyed it. It is a little pricey – 200 yen per ten minutes – but that gives you the option of paying for as much or as little time as you want. For first timers, 20 minutes is a must. Be careful about the time though – it goes fast when you’re getting sucked into the cuteness of kittens. I set a timer for 20 minutes but we still ended up paying for 30, I realized later. Factor in the time it takes you to take your shoes on and off, get your stuff, and get rung up by the cashier.

I was more fascinated by these slipper dispensing machines than I should have been. Simply place your shoes in the top and a fresh pair of slippers comes out at the bottom!

Cat treats for sale.

Basically all you do is put your shoes into this cool machine and put on the pair of slippers, then put your stuff in lockers. You have the option of purchasing unlimited drink bar (350 yen) or not, which is nice for no-frills customers. You can also buy treats for 500 yen a plate (not sure how big it is but probably small). Then enter into the lazy and cozy world of cats! I was excited just looking around at all the stuff they have to play and run around in.

This cat tree is so cool!

There are plenty of cats to play with – tip, they really like ear bud cords. You know, the really long dangly kinds. They’re all supposed to be kittens, however, so you’re not allowed to pick them up, but they might just jump into your lap! Now getting a good selfie with one of the cats – not easy at all, but you’ll doubtless be up to the challenge anyway.

Yes. Yes. Gaze into my eyes. That's it. Mwahaha.

Golly, I'm just so darn cute!

Just passin' by.

My favorite cat!

My, and seemed to be everyone’s – we were kindly tipped off as we entered – favorite cat  was a white kitten with one blue and one amber eye whom I affectionately named Snowball. I would seriously go back just for that cat. According to the website, she is only five months old! Her name is 小町, Komachi, which means ‘belle’ or a ‘town beauty’. Meanwhile, some weirdo just sat hunched over his laptop the whole time we were there. Seemed like a waste of money not to be interacting with the cats. For some reason children under middle school age are not permitted – I guess they play too rough with the cats. Fine by me, because I’m not allowed to go in the cat bus at the Ghibli Museum. You can check out all the cats like Komachi and more on the website.

Time for a snooze.

Mm, you look tasty.

Chillin'.

What soft pink paws you have!

Playing with Lil' Pug Ugly.

Sadly, not all of the cats are blessed with oodles of cute genes like Komachi. Case in point, this cat named Gumi, whom I affectionately dubbed Lil’ Pug Ugly.

Cat Café MoCHA has locations in Ikebukuro and Shibuya as well, described “like a lounge in the sky inhabited by cats”. A second Ikebukuro location opened recently, but it’s quite a bit more expensive – 1,800 yen for general admission. The Harajuku one affords a nice view of the park adjacent to Harajuku station, and thankfully it’s not on the perpetually busy Takeshita street.

Harajuku station across the street.

And don’t worry – if you’re not a cat lover, the growing popularity of cat cafes have burgeoned into other areas of animal-love – bunny cafes, penguin bars, and even owl cafes, located in Harajuku and Akihabara. According to this site, there are even snake and goat cafes. Why? Just why?! I think some people are missing the point.

If you're not living in Japan, no sweat! As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, cat cafes are so popular they've debuted all around the world! Hop on over to Buzzfeed to read more about a location near you! A plus – most all of these cafes outside of Japan have the option to adopt the cat should you fall helplessly in love with it! Win-win!