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Visitors to Japan who want to visit a cat cafe with children are often surprised to learn that most cat cafes don't allow younger kids. There are some exceptions though, so we've put together this list of recommended cafes for visitors with children. Note that most cafes require younger visitors (under the age of 12 or 14) to be accompanied by an adult guardian.
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Preschool children allowed
1. Nekobukuro in Ikebukuro is one of the more child-friendly venues we've been to, with its cartoony theme-park decor, secret passageways, and abundance of cats. Note that it's not exactly a cat cafe, more of a cat hangout spot - there's no coffee served, and there's no toilet, so be sure to use the facilities before you enter, or be prepared to pay again if you want to re-enter. (Children from age 2 are allowed.)
2. Mfmf in central Yokohama is quite spacious and a lot of fun, with a good contingent of playful kittens. Depending on the time of day you may receive a small packet of kibble when you enter, to dispense as you see fit. Children "from age zero" are allowed.
3. Nekoen in Asakusa also has no age restrictions. It's a friendly rescue-cat cafe, and because of their location they're very used to foreign visitors. The only unusual rule is that you have to be wearing socks - if you don't have socks, you will have to purchase them here.
1. Nekobukuro in Ikebukuro is one of the more child-friendly venues we've been to, with its cartoony theme-park decor, secret passageways, and abundance of cats. Note that it's not exactly a cat cafe, more of a cat hangout spot - there's no coffee served, and there's no toilet, so be sure to use the facilities before you enter, or be prepared to pay again if you want to re-enter. (Children from age 2 are allowed.)
2. Mfmf in central Yokohama is quite spacious and a lot of fun, with a good contingent of playful kittens. Depending on the time of day you may receive a small packet of kibble when you enter, to dispense as you see fit. Children "from age zero" are allowed.
3. Nekoen in Asakusa also has no age restrictions. It's a friendly rescue-cat cafe, and because of their location they're very used to foreign visitors. The only unusual rule is that you have to be wearing socks - if you don't have socks, you will have to purchase them here.
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Preschool children allowed
4. Mocha (Takeshita-dori) The relaxed cats at this second Harajuku outlet of the popular cat-cafe chain seem to at least tolerate children, although as in other tourist-zone cafes the cats can seem a bit jaded by all the attention they get. Children 13 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
5. Mocha (Koshigaya Laketown) The cat-cafe chain's first suburban mall branch has a lively crew of cats and plenty of visitors of all ages, including children from the age of three. Manga and videogames are available if you want to hang out for awhile, and there's an unlimited soft-drink bar with coffee, tea and sodas.
6. Nekorobi, around the corner from Nekobukuro in Ikebukuro, is child-friendly, but it seems to have some of the sleepiest cats in town, so it's less lively than many other cafes. There's no age restriction, but children under 12 aren't allowed to pick up the cats.
4. Mocha (Takeshita-dori) The relaxed cats at this second Harajuku outlet of the popular cat-cafe chain seem to at least tolerate children, although as in other tourist-zone cafes the cats can seem a bit jaded by all the attention they get. Children 13 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
5. Mocha (Koshigaya Laketown) The cat-cafe chain's first suburban mall branch has a lively crew of cats and plenty of visitors of all ages, including children from the age of three. Manga and videogames are available if you want to hang out for awhile, and there's an unlimited soft-drink bar with coffee, tea and sodas.
6. Nekorobi, around the corner from Nekobukuro in Ikebukuro, is child-friendly, but it seems to have some of the sleepiest cats in town, so it's less lively than many other cafes. There's no age restriction, but children under 12 aren't allowed to pick up the cats.
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Elementary school and older
7. Tamaneko (Tama Center) Located just behind Sanrio Puroland theme park, this spacious cat cafe is popular with families with small children, especially on weekends.
As with most suburban cafes, the resident cats tend to be more outgoing and less standoffish here, so don't be surprised if a cat jumps onto your lap while you're drinking your coffee. Children can visit from the age of four, and those between 4 and 12 years old can stay for a maximum of one hour.
8. Yahoneko (Kunitachi) is another spacious suburban cafe with relaxed cats and atmosphere. Children must be five or older, and visitors under twenty must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
9. Miagolare (Shin-Nakano) is a friendly neighborhood cafe with a lot of regular customers who come here to hang out with their favorite cats. The cats seem to be more playful and friendly than average, and some of them like to be gently brushed by visitors. (Please be sure to ask the staff before you brush though.)
10. Melange in Ebisu is a smaller cafe, but there are a lot of cats to play with, and a friendly (human) staff. Children should be accompanied by an adult guardian.
7. Tamaneko (Tama Center) Located just behind Sanrio Puroland theme park, this spacious cat cafe is popular with families with small children, especially on weekends.
As with most suburban cafes, the resident cats tend to be more outgoing and less standoffish here, so don't be surprised if a cat jumps onto your lap while you're drinking your coffee. Children can visit from the age of four, and those between 4 and 12 years old can stay for a maximum of one hour.
8. Yahoneko (Kunitachi) is another spacious suburban cafe with relaxed cats and atmosphere. Children must be five or older, and visitors under twenty must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
9. Miagolare (Shin-Nakano) is a friendly neighborhood cafe with a lot of regular customers who come here to hang out with their favorite cats. The cats seem to be more playful and friendly than average, and some of them like to be gently brushed by visitors. (Please be sure to ask the staff before you brush though.)
10. Melange in Ebisu is a smaller cafe, but there are a lot of cats to play with, and a friendly (human) staff. Children should be accompanied by an adult guardian.
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Elementary school and older
11, 12. Neko Maru Cafe is a rescue-cat cafe with two branches in Tokyo, in Ueno and Kinshicho. Both are spacious and comfortable, with lively cats and accommodating staff. Note that they have a restriction of no more than five children during any 30-minute period, so entry may be denied if they already have a quota of kids. Calling ahead to check might be a good idea.
13. Ekoneko (Nerima) is another local rescue-cat cafe, with a roomful of friendly cats and a very proactive staff who spend a lot of energy keeping them entertained. Children are allowed, but those in elementary school and junior high school must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
14, 15 Temari no Ouchi and new sister shop Temari no Oshiro in Kichijoji allow kids from the age of ten. They both have a rather fanciful Studio Ghibli-esque decor, and unlike most cat cafes, neither has a time limit.
16. Neko Jalala is conveniently located for visitors to Akihabara, although the cats tend to be more independent than in less touristy locations. Children below 4th grade (age 9) can only stay for thirty minutes
11, 12. Neko Maru Cafe is a rescue-cat cafe with two branches in Tokyo, in Ueno and Kinshicho. Both are spacious and comfortable, with lively cats and accommodating staff. Note that they have a restriction of no more than five children during any 30-minute period, so entry may be denied if they already have a quota of kids. Calling ahead to check might be a good idea.
13. Ekoneko (Nerima) is another local rescue-cat cafe, with a roomful of friendly cats and a very proactive staff who spend a lot of energy keeping them entertained. Children are allowed, but those in elementary school and junior high school must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
14, 15 Temari no Ouchi and new sister shop Temari no Oshiro in Kichijoji allow kids from the age of ten. They both have a rather fanciful Studio Ghibli-esque decor, and unlike most cat cafes, neither has a time limit.
16. Neko Jalala is conveniently located for visitors to Akihabara, although the cats tend to be more independent than in less touristy locations. Children below 4th grade (age 9) can only stay for thirty minutes
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Junior high school and older
17. Monta in Asakusa is another tourist-friendly spot, with a very proactive staff but a smaller than average crew of cats. Children must be at least 12 years old, and those 12-14 must be accompanied by adult guardian.
18. Mocha has branches all over town, most with an age limit of thirteen and older. They are efficiently set up for lots of visitors, so there's not as much of a personal cat-bonding experience as you might have at some smaller neighborhood cafes, but the branches tend to be big, comfortable, and conveniently located.
19. Calico in Shinjuku is a spacious cafe with lots and lots of cats - over fifty at last count. Cats have frequent break times, and rotate in and out during the day so there are always fresh cats. With all the visitors, the cats tend to be rather jaded, but they do respond well to snacks. Visitors much be in junior high school or older, and ID is required.
17. Monta in Asakusa is another tourist-friendly spot, with a very proactive staff but a smaller than average crew of cats. Children must be at least 12 years old, and those 12-14 must be accompanied by adult guardian.
18. Mocha has branches all over town, most with an age limit of thirteen and older. They are efficiently set up for lots of visitors, so there's not as much of a personal cat-bonding experience as you might have at some smaller neighborhood cafes, but the branches tend to be big, comfortable, and conveniently located.
19. Calico in Shinjuku is a spacious cafe with lots and lots of cats - over fifty at last count. Cats have frequent break times, and rotate in and out during the day so there are always fresh cats. With all the visitors, the cats tend to be rather jaded, but they do respond well to snacks. Visitors much be in junior high school or older, and ID is required.
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