Temari no Ouchi
Monday – Sunday 10 AM to 9 PM Temari no Ouchi is nestled in the popular Kichijoji neighborhood. This café is decorated like a feline fairy tale, perhaps inspired by the nearby Ghibli Museum. The cats here are well taken care of: there’s lots of room for them to roam, and safe spots for them to escape when they tire of petting. Cover charge: ¥1,200 weekday/hour, ¥1,600 on weekends, ¥700 after 7 PM
Ms Bunny
Noon to 9 PM daily Ms Bunny houses a dozen or so cuddly bunnies and a few hedgehogs, too. Rather than roaming around like the cats at neko cafes, these rabbits are kept in their cages most of the time. Guests can have the bunnies for ten minutes at a time, to ensure the animals don’t become overwhelmed. There are also rabbit-care goods for sale and a bunny hotel for owners away on vacation. Cover charge:¥850/30 min weekdays, ¥1,000/30 min weekends (2 bunnies per 30 minutes)
Dog Heart from Aquamarine
11 AM to 7 PM daily Near Yoyogi Park, Dog Heart is a café for dog lovers. The dogs are all friendly, small to medium-sized breeds eager for attention. In addition to quality time with the dogs indoors, Dog Heart allows visitors to rent a dog for a walk in the nearby park for an hour for a ¥3,600 fee. Cover charge: ¥950/30 mins ¥1,550/1 hour
Kotori Cafe Omotesando
Monday – Sunday 11 AM to 7 PM (closed 3rd Monday of every month) Kotori Cafe is more of a bird-themed café than a petting zoo. Birds are set up around the venue, but are safely tucked away in their cages – there’s no need to worry about finding a surprise in your teacup. One-on-one petting sessions are available for a small fee, however (¥500), so bird lovers can get up close and personal if they choose.
Fukurou Sabou Owl Cafe
11 AM to 5 PM Monday – Friday, 6 PM on weekends (closed Tuesdays) Fukurou Sabou is another owl café. This small establishment allows diners to get a little closer to the animals. Patrons can choose the owl they would like to meet, and the animal is perched on their arm and shoulder over protective padding for a pet and a photo session. Fee: ¥300 to ¥1,000, plus mandatory drink starting at ¥500
Tokyo Snake Center (or Cafe & Snake)
11 AM to 8 PM (Closed Tuesdays) Tokyo Snake Center in Harajuku gives you the option to have a snake as your dining partner. Pay the entry fee, choose your refreshments and, of course, the snake you’d like to hang out with. The reptile is kept safe in its transparent housing for the duration of the visit, but patrons can choose to hold the snake for an additional fee. Cover charge: ¥1,000 (incl one drink)