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travel

Japan: Cat café

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There are a lot of WEIRD things in Japanese culture…cat cafés being one of them!  Technically, the first cat café opened in Taiwan in 1998, and it wasn’t until 2004 before the first Japanese cat café opened up in Osaka.  The popularity of cat cafés in Japan is attributed to many apartments forbidding pets, and to cats providing relaxing companionship in what may otherwise be a stressful and lonesome urban life. Other animal cafés include dog and rabbit cafes, are also common in Japan.

I visited this cat café in Kyoto…$12 for 30 minutes of cat time!

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Before entering the cat area, shoes are placed in lockers and hands are sanitized.  Drinks are served for patrons….be careful not to spill any on the cats! 

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Where’s MARU!?@?#@!

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Most of the cats weren’t that friendly…they just minded their own business and ignored everyone! BOO!

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Lazy cats sleeping all the time….

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Boss cat!

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Puzzled cat…

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It took us a while to figure out how to get the cats interested in playing with us…

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There’s an express highway for the cats on top!

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Hungry Cactus’ Verdict: B+

What can I say…animal cafés are unique and intriguing!  It might feel weird paying good money ($12 for 30 min!) just to play with cats, but for the Japanese, it’s one of the few ways to relax and connect with a real companion!  I hope to visit a dog café (Welsh Corgi presence required!) next time I visit Japan! =)