Monday, 10 November 2014

Cat cafe cuteness in Tokyo | Japan

So in my first few weeks in Tokyo I knew one of the first things I wanted to do was visit a cat cafe. As we don't have them in England (although I think one may have opened in London now?) this was a pretty exciting idea for me, especially as I don't have cats at home! I have now visited two so I thought I'd share some pictures of my experience and what it's like to visit one in Japan.

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First of all depending on how nice the cafe is it can be a little on the pricey to visit, you are given a tag to wear around your neck when you enter which says what time you arrived - then you pay when you leave. So it's worth keeping an eye on the time if you don't want to pay X amount. When you go in as well you take off your shoes and put on some slippers provided by the cafe, this a Japanese custom anyway to take off your shoes but I guess this especially applies in cat cafes to keep things hygienic for the cats. You'll also be asked to wash and/or disinfect your hands using hand sanitiser. While this is again a good hygiene idea I think it puts the cats off you a little? Whenever I meet a cat I always extend my hand for them to sniff so they can 'read' you or whatever haha but I guess using hand sanitiser etc will get rid of all your smell and make you smell a bit odd to the cat.

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Me and my new friend who I suspected was not the sharpest tack in the box 

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How cute is this little munchkin cat (not sure of the breed), they still have the same jumping abilities as normal cats with about a third of the leg size haha

The staff may also give you a brief list of rules, things like 'please don't pick up the cats' (this didn't apply in both the cafes I visited though), and I also got 'please be nice to X cat *shows picture* as he is a bit nervous' (why you would put a nervous cat in a cat cafe environment I have no idea).

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I haven't actually bought any drinks/snacks in the cafes I've visited so far but you can order from the staff in the cafes, and also usually you're able to order small snacks/treats for the cats (which seems necessary to get their attention).

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Cat cafes are fun to visit but as a warning be prepared to be completely ignored by the cats. They get a constant stream of visitors each day and are often in a small space with a load of other cats which naturally is going to equal uninterested and grumpy kitties. In the first cafe I managed to get a purr out of one cat, and another (the slightly derpy looking one I'm holding in a picture above) paid my friends and I attention at feeding time as it insisted on only being fed by hand so we could feed it - but the rest literally don't even acknowledge your presence. This means no reaction to your stroking them at all, and they will not play with you or even show any recognition of a toy being waved around.

I'm guessing this is from over stimulation of the cats, and quite a lot of the time the cats would jump onto high shelves or cat jungles to sleep and be out of reach of people - or sit on a windowsill and gaze out of the window longingly. It can seem quite weird if you are used to meeting house cats who will pay you attention or at least react to a piece of ribbon being darted around in front of them - but I guess for Tokyoites who can't have pets in their apartments it is nice to spend an hour or so reading manga and hanging out with some kitties. 

Have you visited a cat cafe? Do they have them in your country? xx

P.S All photos in this post bar two are taken by my friend Kaori, so all credit for the excellent photography goes to her!
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19 comments

Victoria Nightingale said...

I'm so jealous that you went to one, it's on my list of things to do when I go to Japan. They actually opened a cat cafe in London recently :)


vvnightingale.blogspot.co.uk

Gauthami J said...

That is so crazy and interesting!

www.justanotherstyle.blogspot.com

Georgie said...

I thought one had opened in London! To be honest I can imagine the idea working in most cities as there's always people who can't have pets in their apartments xx

Georgie said...

Thanks! xx

Natalie Alice Zigdon said...

This looks ridiculously cool!
I've been fantasizing of going to japan for so many years now and you my friend just gave me another excuse! 。^・ェ・^。


www.RainyAllie.com

sheren-x said...

Omg! I've never heard of such a thing. A slightly bizarre but cool idea I must say :) X

http://www.thefashion-junkie.blogspot.co.uk

gaia kay said...

The cats are so cute! And I love your hair!

-Gaia
http://sparklerage.blogspot.de

Georgie said...

Haha I'm glad I encouraged you to visit! xx

Georgie said...

It is a bit bizarre but fun at the same time :) xx

Georgie said...

Thank you! xx

Evelyn-Sarah OK said...

Aww cat in a bowl. :3 I've developed a strange fondness of cats over the years. I can't deny it, they're so cute lol.
- Evelyn
Fashiontroverts.blogspot.com

karen_ said...

Aww cuteness overload! Amazing that you're studying over in Tokyo by the way, I hope you enjoy every moment! :)


www.stylesunrise.co.uk


x

≈ CARMEN ≈ said...

Mmmm fresh cats. Hehe just kidding of course. What a novel idea though. :] // itsCarmen.com ☼ ☯

Georgie said...

I know right too much cuteness! And thank you xx

Georgie said...

Haha they're such fickle creatures I think that's why I like them, they're so different to dogs! xx

Georgie said...

Fresh cat served in a bowl too! XD Ikr it's an interesting concept xx

Fanny Jimenez said...

Amazing!!! And you have a great blog. Let me know if you want we follow each other by GFC, bloglovin', google+, etc. I hope so: I'll follow you back!!! Have a nice day!!!

*Keep in touch ;)

ABSOkisses!!! Fanny J. ABSOmarilyn

absomarilyn.com

Lyndsay ♡ said...

Aaah, this is so cute! We have a cat and dog cafe in Brighton, so yep, the trend has made it over to the UK!
Lyndsay | Fizzy Peaches

Gabrielle RoseBonniee said...

I don´t like cats very much, but these are really kawaii :) Lovely photos ♥

Love from Slovakia ~

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