A cat cafe is a place where you pay for time spent in a room with cats, and the drink and food come as an add-on to that time. The cats belong to the establishment itself and live there permanently, rather than coming in with visitors for a single visit.

How much does entry to a cat cafe cost by time?

Payment is almost always hourly: the longer you stay in the cat room, the more you pay, unlike an ordinary cafe with a fixed bill per order. Exact rates vary by establishment and change over time, so the principle of paying for time matters more than a specific amount.

Can you pick up the cats at a cat cafe?

As a rule, only with staff permission and only if the cat itself is not sleeping and does not mind contact. Waking an animal, feeding it your own food, or using flash photography is prohibited in almost all establishments — these rules exist for the cats' sake, not to restrict guests.

Is it true that the first cat cafe opened in Japan?

No: the world's first cat cafe, "Cat Garden," opened in 1998 in Taipei, Taiwan. The Japanese one appeared only in 2004, in Osaka — the format came from elsewhere and was not invented in Japan, although it was here that it became most widespread.

Cat Cafes in Japan: How They Work and What the Rules Are

A cat cafe is a place where you pay for time in a room with cats, and the drink comes as an add-on to that time, not the other way around. The world's first such cafe opened in 1998 not in Japan but in Taipei; the Japanese one appeared only in 2004, in Osaka. The operation of animal establishments is regulated by the Animal Welfare Act: since the early 2010s it has separately restricted late-night cat display.

A cat cafe is easy to mistake for a format invented in Japan specifically for tourists, but the history is exactly the opposite: the idea came from Taiwan and only later took root in Osaka. Let's break down what the hourly fee consists of, what rules exist for the cats' sake, and what exactly the Animal Welfare Act restricts.

Paying for Time with Cats, Not for a Drink

A cat cafe is a place where a guest pays for time spent in a room with cats, and food and drink come as an add-on to that time, not the other way around. The format was not invented in Japan: the world's first such cafe, "Cat Garden" (猫花園), opened in 1998 in Taipei, Taiwan. The Japanese one appeared only in 2004 — "Cat Time" (猫の時間) in Osaka, in the Kita district.

Why It's Not Just a Cafe That Allows Animals

What distinguishes a cat cafe from an ordinary cafe you can bring your own pet to is precisely this: the cats belong to the establishment and live there permanently, rather than coming in with a visitor for a single visit. Some such establishments also engage in rehoming stray cats — a guest can not only spend time near an animal but also potentially take it home.

癒 — значение: to heal, to cure, to soothe, to relieve fatigue — онъёми: ユ — кунъёми: い.える、いや.す、い.やす — 18 штрих(ов). 癒 — "to heal, to soothe fatigue": the word 癒やし (iyashi), "comfort, relief from fatigue," is the very one Japanese advertising uses to describe such places, and 癒やし系 is said of anything soothing. The word 猫カフェ itself is put together without fuss: 猫 "cat" plus カフェ in kana, from the French café.

Hourly Fee, Change of Shoes, and Food Only from the Establishment

Payment at a cat cafe is almost always hourly: the longer you stay, the more you pay. At the entrance, you are usually asked to take off your outdoor shoes and wash your hands, and you cannot bring your own cat food — the cats are fed only what the establishment provides, and on a schedule, not at the guests' whim. The number of visitors in the cat room is limited so the animals don't feel crowded.

The Cats in the Cafe Have Their Own Routine

The cats in such an establishment live by their own schedule and do not adapt to its opening hours: many places have a separate day off specifically for the animals. Some cats simply sleep during the day — and that is a normal part of their life, not a sign that the establishment is poorly run.

The Rules Are Set for the Cats, Not for the Guests

The strictest rules of a cat cafe protect the animals, not the convenience of visitors: you must not wake a sleeping cat, pick it up without staff permission, or feed it your own food. Flash photography is also prohibited — bright light frightens cats more than it might seem.

What Exactly the Animal Welfare Act Restricts

In Japan, keeping animals in such establishments falls under the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals. Ordinary establishments that sell or display animals are allowed to show them until 20:00. For cat cafes, a separate exception has been in effect since 2012: the display of cats over one year old that have free access to a resting place is permitted until 22:00, with total display time not exceeding 12 hours per day. The conditions were clarified in 2016.

FAQ

What is a cat cafe?: A cat cafe is a place where you pay for time spent in a room with cats, and the drink and food come as an add-on to that time. The cats belong to the establishment itself and live there permanently, rather than coming in with visitors for a single visit.
How much does entry to a cat cafe cost by time?: Payment is almost always hourly: the longer you stay in the cat room, the more you pay, unlike an ordinary cafe with a fixed bill per order. Exact rates vary by establishment and change over time, so the principle of paying for time matters more than a specific amount.
Can you pick up the cats at a cat cafe?: As a rule, only with staff permission and only if the cat itself is not sleeping and does not mind contact. Waking an animal, feeding it your own food, or using flash photography is prohibited in almost all establishments — these rules exist for the cats' sake, not to restrict guests.
Is it true that the first cat cafe opened in Japan?: No: the world's first cat cafe, "Cat Garden," opened in 1998 in Taipei, Taiwan. The Japanese one appeared only in 2004, in Osaka — the format came from elsewhere and was not invented in Japan, although it was here that it became most widespread.

Sources

Updated: 2026-09-21