5 Animal Cafes In Tokyo With The Cutest Cuddles

Tokyo is the city of kawaii so of course animal cafes in Tokyo are no exception. It’s hard for most locals to own a pet in Tokyo since many compounds do not allow animals. But sometimes, we all need a furry friend that we can cuddle or just simply look at! It’s no wonder why over the years, animal cafes in Tokyo also have also become one of the most popular attractions for foreigners. 

At Fravel, we believe that interaction with animals should be done in a responsible manner. And so we’ve only included the animal cafes in Tokyo that place the animals’ well-being first, and give them plenty of space so they are not constantly overwhelmed by human attention.

From hedgehogs to shiba inus and mini pigs, check out these animal cafes in Tokyo that will give you all the fuzzies.

1. Temari no Ouchi

Let’s start off what kickstarted the animal cafe trend – cats! Temari no Ouchi is more than just a cat cafe. They also are “relaxation space” which transports you to a different world! The fairytale decor will make you feel as if you are in a Studio Ghibli movie, or Mad Hatter’s tea party. 

There are plenty of spaces for the 22 resident cats here to roam, laze, hide and play. Apart from the more familiar breeds like Munchkin, Ragdolls and American Shorthair, there are also rarer breeds like the Norweigian Forest cat, Chartreux and Scottish Fold.

The cover charge is ¥1,200 on weekdays and ¥1,600 on weekends for an hour. Weekday evenings are perhaps the best time to visit, as feeding time is at 6.30pm and there’s a flurry of activity. If you’re on a budget, come after 7pm as the cover charge will just be ¥700! We also love how extensive their menu is – you’ll find anything from herbal teas to cocktails. There are also desserts, light bites and full meals.

Address: Musashi Forum 3F, 2-13-14 Kichioji, Musashino-shi, Tokyo

Opening hours: 10am – 8.30pm daily

2. mipig cafe

In Tokyo there is not just one, but two different spots where you can cuddle with adorable miniature pigs! mipig cafe opened its doors in Meguro in 2018, and it proved to be so popular that they opened up a second branch in Harajuku. 

Unlike some Western countries where pigs have become popular as pets, pigs are still seen as livestock in Japan. mipig wants to help people become more familiar with the animal, and maybe even adopt one home! These mini pigs are intelligent, curious and adorable. Like dogs, they can learn tricks, and some may even want to climb into your lap for snuggles! To sum up the appeal of mini pigs, they are essentially dog-like cats. 

mipig cafe does not accept walk-ins, so bookings have to be made online. A 30-minute slot at the Harajuku outlet would cost you ¥1,000 (~S$12.50). You can also book a private room for an additional ¥500 (~S$6.20). A visit to Meguro would be ¥800 (~S$10) for 30 minutes, and an additional ¥500 (~S$6.20) to extend your stay for another 30 minutes. The minimum order at both outlets is one drink for each person. 

Address: Jingumae 1-15-4, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | Meguro 4-11-3, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Opening hours: 10am – 8pm daily

3. Harajuku Mame Shiba Café

Harajuku is more than just a hot spot for spotting fashionable people and shopping for clothes. It is also home to Harajuku Mame-Shiba Café, which houses a dozen mame shibas. They are a miniature version of the Shiba Inu native to Japan!

A visit to the cafe will cost you ¥880 (~S$11) for 30 minutes and it is inclusive of a drink. It’s quite pricey for just 30 minutes, but if you’re anything like me (I say hi to every dog I come across), the Mame Shiba Café is worth it for a short thrill. They’re also incredibly popular, so we recommend visiting at their opening hours on a weekday to ensure a spot. That’s also when the dogs are at their most energetic, curious and ready to play! There’s no pre-booking available, so you have to be there in person to purchase a ticket.

As you can tell, these doggos are very cute. They are rotated for play time and break time, but some of them will be more interested in playing with each other or napping. Make sure to give them plenty of space, as you cannot grab the doggos unless they come to you!

Address: 3F, 1 Chome-6-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Opening hours: 11am – 7pm (weekdays), 10.30am – 7.30pm (weekends & PH)

4. Hedgehog Cafe HARRY

Get acquainted with some adorable hedgehogs at Hedgehog Cafe HARRY. The cafe has three outlets within Tokyo, housing the African pgymy and Four-toed hedgehogs. 

As with all novel experiences in Japan, they all come with a price tag. A 30-minute session at HARRY will set you back ¥1,300 (~S$16), inclusive of a drink. You will be given a pair of gloves and instructed on how to interact with the hedgehogs. They are surprisingly soft and fragile – the best way to describe them is a spiky marshmallow!

Get ready to die of cuteness, because the hedgehogs may get comfortable in your hand and curl up in a ball to take a nap. You can also purchase mealworms to feed them at an additional ¥500 (~S$6.20)! If you live in Tokyo and want to keep a hedgehog as a pet, HARRY also has everything you need to move in your new family member.

Address: 2F Iwahori Building, Roppongi 6-7-2, Minato-ku, Tokyo | Jingumae 1-13-21, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | Zinguumae 426 3F, 4-26-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Opening hours: 11am – 7pm daily

5. Tokyo Snake Center

Snakes might not be conventionally cute, but Tokyo Snake Center is here to change that. They are the first snake cafe in Japan and home to over 90 non-poisonous serpents!

No booking is required, so you can just walk in and pay the ¥1,100 entrance fee which comes with a drink. When you enter, you’ll see rows of colourful snakes in transparent cases. Choose one to bring to your table, and during the experience you can request to exchange to another. For an additional ¥550, you can also pet and handle the snakes! Apparently, snakes have different personalities and temperaments, and your snake handler will be happy to share all about it.

A snake cafe is definitely very out of the ordinary when it comes to animal cafes. What we also love is that they don’t impose a time limit, so you are free to spend an idyllic afternoon just hanging out with these beautiful serpents.

Address: Tokyo Sanpo Sogo Building 8F, 6-5-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Opening hours: 11am – 8pm (closed on Tues)