Japanese Cafés Let You Have Coffee In Company Of Cats

By Anthea Quay, 25 Apr 2012

Cat cafés are all the rage in Japan. There are about 100 cat cafés in Japan, of which at least 39 are located in Tokyo.

The pioneer café Neko no Mise, opened by Hanada Norimasa, was opened back in 2005.

From then, the idea of these special cafés took off, as many apartments in metropolitan Japan forbid pets, and people who experience stressful, lonely urban lives like the relaxing companionship of the furry hosts.

Some of these cafés offer only specific types of cats, such as black cats, fat cats, cats of rare breeds, and ex-stray cats.

But many of the cat cafés seek to raise awareness of cat welfare issues—such as abandoned and stray cats—and hope to give the felines a high quality of life.

The cafés also comply with the strict regulations of Animal Protection Law; and ensure the cleanliness of the vicinity, and the good treatment of the animals—the cats are not allowed to be disturbed or ill-treated.

Won’t it be nice to get a caffeine- and furry-fix at the same time?