Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2014
Temari no Ouchi
Cat cafés may seem passé, but the Ghibli-esque interior at Kichijoji’s Temari no Ouchi may make you rethink that idea. Their strict rules (no flash photos, no hugging, no bringing in outside toys, no feeding the cats “normal” food, kids allowed from age 10 and up) ensures the feline residents don’t get excessively stressed out by overenthusiastic guests. Time your visit between 6-7pm and you’ll witness feeding time, where kitties gather in a circle to eat together. See what it’s like in a cat lady’s house—without the horror of going into one. As an added bonus, the price includes Wi-Fi and free-to-use electrical outlets—a workaholic cat lady’s dream. Also one of the few animal eateries where you can book parties. The entrance fee is ¥1,200 (weekdays), ¥1,600 (weekends) and only ¥700 after 6pm, plus whatever you order. No fee according to time, like most other places.
3F, 2-13-14 Kichijoji Hommachi. Open daily 10am-8pm. Nearest stn: Kichijoji. Tel: 0422-23-5503. www.temarinoouchi.com
Sakuragaoka Café
Uphill and just a stone’s throw away from Shibuya station lies Sakuragaoka Café, home to… goats. For a farm-friendly frolic in the middle of the city, there is surely nothing quite like this. Fear not, the goats are outdoors in a pen, not running amok inside the restaurant.
23-3 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku. Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-4am, Sun & last day of hols 8:30am-midnight. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Tel: 03-5728-3242. No entry fee or time limit. www.udagawacafe.com/sakuragaoka/
Fukurokoji Café
If bigger birds aren’t your thing, Fukurokoji Café specializes in curious and colorful parakeets. Rosy-faced Lovebirds are on hand to play with, at ¥200 for 30 minutes. Reservations by email or phone advised, including name, and number of guests along with the date and time desired to avoid crowding and stressing the birds.
4-34-11 Minami-Oizumi, Nerima-ku. Open Mon-Wed 11:30am-4pm, Sat, Sun & hols 11:30am-6pm, closed Thu-Fri. Nearest stn: Hoya. Tel: 080-3710-5903. http://fukurokojicafe.blog78.fc2.com/
Kingyozaka
There are goldfish galore at this shop with a 350-year history and a seventh-generation proprietor. The adjoining restaurant has been open for 13 years and offers traditional Japanese fare. Cigar smokers welcome.
5-3-15 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku. Open Tue-Fri 11:30am-9:30pm, Sat, Sun & hols 11:30-8pm, closed Mon & every third Tue. Nearest stn: Hongo Sanchome. Tel: 03-3815-7088. www.kingyozaka.com
Yokohama Subtropical Teahouse: Reptile Café
Welcome to the jungle! Possibly not everyone’s cup of tea, but at this Reptile Café in Yokohama there are enough cold-blooded crawlies to make a half-decent Indiana Jones sequel. A very rare sword-tail newt (found only on some of the southernmost islands of Japan), a Brazilian rainbow boa and an adorable bearded dragon call this place home.
2F, 8-133 Chojamachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama. Open Mon, Thu-Sun 11am-7pm, closed Tue & Wed. Nearest stn: Hinodecho. Tel: 045-263-4015. http://reptilescafe.net
Tori no Iru Café
This café features international staff of the avian variety. Parrots, owls, cockatoos and a Harris hawk not only decorate the interior with their bright colors, they also each have their own individual talents. Their profiles (much akin to a model’s portfolio) display weight, age, origin and special talents. Shaking hands, speaking and flight shows are included among their many skills. Should you possess a bird of your own, you can check your feathered friend into their bird hotel for a fee of ¥2,000 per night (more for larger birds) as long as all the health check papers are in order.
105 Seven Star Mansion, 2-6-7 Kiba, Koto-ku. Open Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri 1-8pm, Sat, Sun & hols 11am-8pm, closed Wed. Nearest stn: Kiba. Tel: 03-5809-8865. www9.ocn.ne.jp/~toricafe
See also their Asakusa shop: www.facebook.com/toricafe.asakusa
