When visiting Tokyo, it’s easy to get swept up in the bright lights, high-speed trains, and Michelin star sushi restaurants. But in the quieter corners of this bustling metropolis lies a unique cultural experience that has captured the hearts of tourists: animal cafes.
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Whether you’re a Shiba Inu enthusiast, or curious about cuddling a micro pig, Tokyo’s animal cafes offer a cozy, heartwarming escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The cafes chosen for this list are not only adorable and unique but are also committed to humane treatment of their animal residents and responsible tourism, making them a must-visit for conscious travelers.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to Tokyo’s most ethical and enjoyable animal cafes, each offering something unique and unforgettable for your Japan trip.
*Ethnical Note
Though many animal cafes do prioritize the welfare of the animals, there are certain cafes I would highly recommend against supporting—for example, owl cafes and hedgehog cafes.
These go against the natural instinct of the animals. Owl cafes often have the wings of the birds clipped and the birds are forced to be handled in the day despite being nocturnal by nature. Hedgehogs, as well, are not domesticated pets and tend to get stressed out while being handled.
The cafes on this list involve mostly social and domesticated animals that do not mind humans by nature; however, some cat cafes still treat their animals poorly and prioritize money-making over the health and happiness of their animals.
Please do your own research and check the living conditions of the animals before going in. I highly recommend cafes run by rescues that are also looking to rehome their cats or dogs, so you can support a good cause at the same time.
The Best Animal Cafes
Here are some cafes that generally seem to treat their animals well:
1. Mipig Cafe (Meguro & Harajuku)
If you’ve never seen a tiny piglet snuggle on someone’s lap like a puppy, you’re in for a treat. Mipig cafe is Japan’s first micro pig cafe and has quickly become a favorite among both locals and tourists. With branches in major hubs like Meguro, Harajuku, and outside of Tokyo, Mipig offers a serene, minimalist setting where visitors can unwind as friendly micro pigs the size of small dogs trot around freely. If you’re lucky, one might even come and cuddle you!
Each branch has a different interior theme, such as Japanese-style rooms or forest cottage vibes like from Animal Crossing.
Animals: Micro pigs, known for their cleanliness, intelligence, and affection.
Pricing:
- Harajuku: ¥2,200 for 25 minutes, ¥3,300 for 55 minutes
- Children under 4: ¥770
- Private rooms (Harajuku): Additional ¥550 per 30 minutes
*The different branches have slightly different prices based on location; the Meguro branch may be slightly cheaper.
Drinks: A range of soft drinks, including coffee and tea, is included with the entrance fee.
Ethical Standards: Holding or chasing after pigs is not permitted to minimize stress, and visits are by reservation only to avoid overcrowding. Guests sit on floor cushions as pigs come to interact on their own terms.
The café is also strict about cleanliness standards, and guests must disinfect their hands before entering. Guests who have recently been to a petting zoo or other pig café may not be able to enter to reduce the risk of infectious diseases for the animals.
Website: mipig +cafe
2. Temari no Ouchi Cat Cafe (Kichijōji)
Step into a Ghibli-esque fairy tale at Cat Cafe Temari no Ouchi, a magical cat cafe nestled in the upscale and hipster neighborhood of Kichijōji. With its whimsical architecture, wooden interiors, and treehouse nooks, the theme of this café is “whimsical forest of cats”.
This café has a fantastical interior, friendly cats, and hiding spots for any overstimulated kitties to hide, and offers more than your average animal cafe experience. The best thing is—there’s no time limit for the price you pay, unlike most other cat cafes, which charge by the hour.
Animals: Approximately 20 cats, including Scottish Folds, Maine Coons, and other well-cared-for breeds.
Pricing:
- Weekdays: ¥1,200
- Weekends/Holidays: ¥1,600
- After 7 PM: ¥700
- No time limit on visits!
Drinks: Extensive menu including herbal teas, smoothies, coffee, and even cocktails.
Ethical Standards: Hugging and chasing cats are not allowed; the cats roam freely and have access to private rest areas. Each cat’s personality and breed information is available via a detailed scrapbook, ensuring respectful interaction.
Website: temarinoouchi.com
3. Café Mignon (Kichijoji)
For something softer and more serene, check out Café Mignon in Kichijoji. The café space and rabbit play pen are in separate rooms, and the café puts a lot of effort into the food and drink as well! (Most animal cafes have the animals as the main attractions, and food and drink tend to be an afterthought.)
This café also has rabbits available for adoption.
Animals: Various breeds of rabbits
Pricing:
- ¥400 for 10 minutes on weekdays, ¥500 on weekends
- ¥300 for each additional 10 minutes
Drinks: The food and drink are charged separately based on what you order. You are required to make at least 1 order.
Ethical Standards: Only 1 group of up to 3 people is allowed in the rabbit room at the same time, and the rabbits are well-groomed and well-cared for. The rabbit room is generally only for groups who are considering adopting, so it may not be the best for tourists.
Website: 392mig.com
4. Dog Heart (Yoyogi)
Located near Yoyogi Park, Dog Heart offers dog lovers a chance to not just pet, but also take dogs out for a walk—perfect for travelers missing their own pets at home. The dogs are friendly and loving, and this café is a fun and energetic contrast to other quieter animal cafes.
You can even “rent” a dog for an hour and take them for a walk, which is beneficial to both you and the pup!
Animals: Toy Poodles, Beagles, Golden Retrievers, and other friendly breeds.
Pricing:
- ¥950 for 30 minutes
- ¥1550 for 60 minutes
- Dog walking rental: ¥3600 for 60 minutes
Drinks: Tea, coffee, and more for ¥100 per drink.
Ethical Standards: Dogs are well-socialized and allowed to rest between visits. Walks are encouraged as a way to give dogs exercise and variety.
Website: Dog HEART
If you’re a lover of the Shiba Inu, one of Japan’s representative breeds, you can also search specifically for a mame shiba café that specializes in miniature-sized versions of the Shiba Inu. However, do your research ahead of time, as some of these cafes are exploitative of the dogs, and the pups don’t get any rest between guests.
5. Usabibi Rabbit Cafe (Ikebukuro)
Usabibi offers a cozy and friendly setting for rabbit lovers in the lively district of Ikebukuro. It’s great for solo travelers or small groups looking for a cute and low-key experience.
Unlike Café Mignon, this café has rabbits as the main attraction and welcomes foreign tourists as well. There’s even a small store section selling rabbit-themed trinkets and souvenirs.
Animals: Various rabbit breeds.
Pricing: ¥800 per 30 minutes or ¥1,200 per hour. You can also rent the space for your group for 1 hour for ¥8000.
Drinks: 1 drink comes with the entry charge for free
Ethical Standards: Small-scale and cozy, Usabibi limits the number of visitors to ensure the rabbits are not overwhelmed. You are required to sanitize your hands upon entering and cannot pick up the rabbits.
Website: usabibi.net
Why Visit an Animal Cafe in Tokyo?
Tokyo’s animal cafes are more than just tourist traps with furry photo ops. For locals, they offer a unique opportunity to connect with animals in a city where many apartments prohibit pets. These cafes also reflect Japan’s deep appreciation for seasonal aesthetics, quiet spaces, and intentional interactions. For travelers, especially those on the go or without time for a day trip to a petting zoo, animal cafes provide a uniquely Japanese and meaningful experience.
Moreover, the cafes on this list emphasize ethical animal treatment. Many limit the number of guests per time slot, ensure rest times for animals, and have staff on hand to educate visitors about proper interaction. If you’re an animal lover with a few hours to spare, visiting one of these cafes can be both a highlight of your trip and a way to support businesses that prioritize animal welfare.
Harajuku is known as an area with a variety of animal cafes, from hedgehogs to owls to even cafes with ferrets or fennec foxes. However, being one of the major tourist traps in the city tends to mean higher prices, longer wait times, and more exploitation of animals. Be sure to research where you’re going!
Tips for Visitors:
- Always check whether reservations are required.
- Be respectful of animal boundaries; don’t chase or pick them up unless permitted.
- Wash or sanitize your hands before and after contact.
- Avoid flash photography or loud noises.
- Avoid intense perfumes or colognes before visiting such cafes.
With the rise of foreign tourism, not all cafes are sustainable or humane; many do exploit the living conditions of both exotic and domesticated animals for profit, so definitely make sure you do your own research ahead of time!
Conclusion
Whether you’re sipping tea with a sleepy rabbit, being curiously sniffed by a piglet, or watching a regal cat saunter overhead in a storybook setting, Tokyo’s animal cafes offer endless moments of joy and connection. And in a city known for its contrast between old-world tradition and futuristic innovation, these quiet corners of comfort are a uniquely Japanese delight.
So next time you find yourself wandering the streets of Tokyo, step off the beaten path and into a world of wagging tails, twitching noses, and purring hearts. You just might find yourself falling in love.
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