Unexpectedly relaxing. 10 cafes where you’ll be soothed by cute animals

photo by chostett

Random question, but you aren’t tired, are you? Music, nature, and aroma; there are many things that soothe us, but that feeling we get from the contact with animals is something else. Thereupon, we have found some cafes where you can interact with animals. Until not too long ago, cat cafes were the main players of the animal cafe game, but now there is much more variation. Now, let’s go and get soothed.

Cat cafe Cariko

With locations in Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Kichijouji, popular cat cafe ’Cariko’ is the city’s largest with the most cat staff in the city. Here there are a total of more than 50 individualistic cats that relaxingly live in their natural state. Carrying them is prohibited here, but it’s ok to pet them. If you spot one where you think you can, pet him/her very gently. The Shinjuku store has big lockers with a key, so there are no worries even if you come with big bags after doing some shopping.
Drinks start from 200 yen. Food is served only at the Shinjuku store, but is affordable with 300 yen sweets and 500 yen food. If you want to get even closer to the cats, there are proofs of your friendship, chicken snacks (300 yen), available.

Cat cafe Cariko
Shinjuku store
Tokyo Prefecture Shinjuku-ku Kabuki-cho 1-16-2 Fuji Building 6F

Rabbit cafe Ohisama

The animal that soothes us the most has to be the rabbit. ‘Usagi cafe Ohisama’ in Tokyo’s Shimokitazawa has all-you-can-touch-and-pick-up of rabbits, a place irresistible for mofu mofu fans. There are a total of 20 staff rabbits. Naito kun, the star rabbit that’s popular among the ladies, is quite handsome. Unfortunately he’s married. The staff rabbits might not always be working. So, if there’s a staff member that you want to see no matter what, be sure to check beforehand. You can expect to meet some extremely cute baby rabbits that are sure to soothe you to the max during baby birthing seasons.

Rabbit cafe Ohisama
Tokyo Prefecture Setagaya-ku Kitazawa 2-18-5 Shimokitazawa Ne Building 2F

Bird cafe Kotori Cafe

The place where you can watch birds and relaxingly spend a soothing time is ‘Kotori Cafe’ located in Omotesando and Kichijouji. This cafe is full of cute recognizable birds like the Shell grass parakeet, cockatiel, and Java sparrow. At the Omotesando store between the hours of 11am and 5pm, you can enjoy mofu mofu time alone with the staff birds for a whole five minutes. The other happy thing about this cafe is their expansive cafe menu. The menu items have a bird motif, all making you hesitate to eat them. Plus, the desserts are made by a popular Tokyo based confectionary pastry chef. Everyday they are made flawlessly and delivered to the cafe. They are masterpieces that are bound to satisfy both the cuteness and taste factors. If there are more than 6 people in your party, private rooms are available.

Bird cafe Kotori Cafe
Omotesando Store
Tokyo Prefecture Minato-ku Minami Aoyama 6-3-7
Kichijouji Store
Tokyo Prefecture Mitaka City Shimorenjyaku 1-14-7 Buno Mitakanomori 1F

Dog cafe Dog Tail

We see many cafes that say that dog companions are allowed, but it is rare to see a dog cafe where you can be relaxingly soothed by many dogs. But we found one in Osaka! In Dotonbori, the center of Osaka, you can interact with dogs at dog cafe ‘Dog Tail’. Toy poodles, Pomeranians, Chiwawas, Dachshunds; all the popular small dog breeds are there. Ones who can’t have one at home for whatever reason can have a taste of what it’s like to be an owner.

Dog cafe Dog Tail
Osaka City Chuo-ku Dotonbori 2-4-6 Shuei Building 4F

Owl cafe Fukuro no Mise

At ‘Fukuro no mise’ in Tokyo’s Tsukishima, you will be soothed by spending mofu mofu time with owls, who are gaining popularity because of their cool faces. It is a super popular store where there are 15, give or take, small to big staff owls. It is not uncommon for all the reservations of the day to be filled up as soon as the place opens. They don’t take reservations by phone so if you want to be soothed by them, it is recommended that you line up more than an hour before opening time. Even though it’s a popular store, the reason why their open hours are short is because they are thinking about the health of the owls. This explains why all of the owls are happy and full of energy. Please understand that there are no time extensions given.

Owl cafe Fukuro no Mise
Tokyo Prefecture Chuo-ku Tsukishima 1-27-9

Falcon cafe Takajou Chaya

Right close to the Ghibli Museum is ‘Takajou Chaya’. The name of this store makes it seem like this place is a little rough, but all of the temperate staff birds have been trained by a professional. Along with the popular owls, there are ones that you don’t normally have the chance to see, like hawks and peregrines (falcons). The menu consists of popular items that have names associated with the predatory birds. It does get crowded, so it might be best to make a reservation first.

Falcon cafe Takajou Chaya
Tokyo City Mitaka City Shimorenjaku 1-11-8

Reptile cafe Yokohama Anetai Chakan

Irresistible for enthusiasts, at the ‘Yokohama Anetai Chakan’ in Yokohama, you can spend some soothing time with reptiles. Here there are approximately 20 types of, 40 staff reptiles, currently in residence. A giant green iguana, although from inside of a glass case, entertains the customers right in the beginning. Enjoy interactions with the staff reptiles in the run free play area. You can only interact with the tortoises and some of the lizards, but they might be surprisingly quick, so be sure to pay attention. The Chinese teas offered in the cafe menu are all genuine. It is a one-drink order system, but there is no seat charge and no time limit unless it’s crowded, so you can enjoy your time to the fullest with these staff reptiles.

Reptile cafe Yokohama Anetai Chakan
Kanazawa Prefecture Yokohama City Naka-ku Chojamachi 8-133 Tomimori Shouji 2F

Goat cafe Sakuraoka Cafe

‘Sakuraoka Cafe’, the place in Shibuya where you can meet ‘you’re kidding!’ goats. Standing by in the little hut on the terrace are staff goats Sakura and Chocolate. Both are respectable females. No matter how busy the store gets, they don’t actively move that much, but they do do their job of just being present and soothing everybody. From the inside of the cafe which has selected antiques displayed throughout, you can gaze at the staff goats through the window. Reservations are possible so interested people should make a call.

Goat cafe Sakuraoka Cafe
Tokyo Prefecture Shibuya-ku Sakuraoka-cho 23-3

Goldfish cafe Kingyozaka

In business for 350 years! Well-established goldfish store ‘Kingyozaka’ in Bunkyo-ku opened a restaurant where you can relaxingly watch goldfish. In the store, there are many goldfish. After watching them cutely swimming to and fro, you can enjoy (?) goldfish scooping and goldfish fishing. The food menu consists of menu items with shocking names such as ‘Goldfish Hill meal’ and ‘Goldfish Scooping meal’, but be rest assured that none contain the staff goldfish.

Goldfish cafe Kingyozaka
Tokyo Prefecture Bunkyo-ku Hongo 5-3-15

Penguin bar Penguin no iru BAR

When you’re a little lonely at night, penguins will gently soothe you. That dreamy space is popular ‘Penguin no iru BAR’ in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro. It is the only bar in Tokyo where you can have a drink with a penguin. While being soothed by the somewhat laughable movements of the penguins doing their best, you can enjoy a full-fledged menu. With items like selected ingredients grilled on a hot plate, to course meals with all-you-can-drink, there are many economical choices. It is a bar, so people under 18 are not allowed.

Penguin bar Penguin no iru BAR
Tokyo Prefecture Toshima-ku Ikebukuro 2-38-2 COSMY1 Building 1F

Things to keep in mind at animal cafes

Animals are very sensitive. By giving them unwanted strain, they can easily become stressed. It depends on the animal, but you should check if it’s ok to take a picture or pick them up. When you enter an animal cafe, be sure to listen to the cautionary points from the staff and be sure not to annoy the animals that will be soothing us.