About JapanCurious
JapanCurious is an English-language directory built by Japan residents for international visitors who want to discover the country's animal experiences, from cat cafes in Akihabara to remote cat islands in the Seto Inland Sea.
Why This Site Exists
We kept running into the same problem: English-language information about Japan's animal cafes was outdated, incomplete, or flat-out wrong. Blogs listed cafes that closed years ago. Prices were from 2019. Ferry schedules to cat islands were guesswork.
So we built what we wished existed — a single, verified directory with current hours, actual prices (not estimates), and directions from the nearest station exit. Every listing is cross-referenced against official Japanese sources that most English content never checks.
Who We Are
We are a small team living in Japan. That matters because it means we can read Japanese-language review sites (Tabelog, Hot Pepper, Jalan), call venues directly to verify policies, and visit locations in person. We ride the same trains, navigate the same station exits, and deal with the same language barriers our readers face — except we've been doing it long enough to know the shortcuts.
Our Japan residency also means we catch things that remote writers miss: seasonal closures, holiday hours, the difference between a cafe's Google Maps listing and what's actually happening on the ground.
How We Verify Information
Every listing goes through a multi-source verification process. We start with Google Maps API data, then cross-reference against the venue's official website (often Japanese-only), Japanese booking platforms like Asoview and Jalan, and English-language traveler reviews on TripAdvisor and Reddit. When sources disagree, we contact the venue directly.
For a full breakdown of our editorial standards, data sources, and correction process, see our Editorial Policy.
What We Cover
- Animal Cafes — Cat, dog, owl, hedgehog, rabbit, capybara, reptile, and micropig cafes across 11 cities, with verified pricing and booking details
- Cat Islands— All 15 of Japan's notable cat islands with ferry schedules, visitor tips, and seasonal guidance
- Tattoo-Friendly Onsen — Hot springs verified to welcome tattooed visitors, with policy details confirmed by direct contact
- Pet Travel Guides — Quarantine rules, Shinkansen pet policies, pet-friendly hotels, and emergency vet contacts
Our Commitment
We don't publish a page until we're confident the information is current and useful. If a venue closes, we remove it. If prices change, we update them. If we got something wrong, we fix it and note the correction. This isn't a blog that publishes and forgets — it's a living directory.
Get in Touch
Spotted an error? Know a great cafe we missed? We actively welcome corrections and suggestions from travelers and locals alike. Visit our Contact page.