Best Animal Cafes in Kyoto, Japan
34 verified animal cafes in Kyoto, Kyoto — including cat, dog, hedgehog, micropig cafes and more.
Kyoto Animal Cafe Pocket Guide — Top Picks (2026)
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Top 5 Animal Cafes in Kyoto
mipig cafe Kyoto
11,557 reviews — by far the most-reviewed animal cafe in Kyoto. Consistently 4.9 rating.
Japan, 〒604-8042 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakanochō, ５６０−２ 七宝新京極ビル
Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
075-708-7661
Cat＆Animal Cafe Noah's Ark 祇園店
Japan, 〒605-0073 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Gionmachi Kitagawa, ３２３ 2階 東号室
Monday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
075-585-2450
京都ひょう猫の森
11,557 reviews — by far the most-reviewed animal cafe in Kyoto. Consistently 4.9 rating.
Japan, 〒604-8042 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakanochō, ５５４番地 美松西館 １Ｆ 新京極通り
Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
075-708-3256
KYOTO OWL'S FOREST
Continued ethical complaints on TripAdvisor 2025-2026. Rating 4.0 with polarized reviews.
Japan, 〒604-8042 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakanochō, ５５４番地 美松西館 ２F
Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
075-708-3847
Pug Cafe Living Room Kyoto
Updated pricing: 3,500 yen/70min. Cash only. Extension 1,000 yen/30min.
151 Katsurakawatachō, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, 615-8017, Japan
Monday: 12:30 – 5:00 PM
075-874-7989
Animal Cafe Prices in Kyoto (2026)
Recent Price & Status Changes
- mipig cafe Kyoto: 11,557 reviews — by far the most-reviewed animal cafe in Kyoto. Consistently 4.9 rating.
- Cat Cafe MOCHA Kyoto: New 10-min pricing system from Jan 5, 2026
- Kyoto Mameshiba Cafe: Rating 3.8 — declining. Part of tourist-trap chain.
- Owl's Forest: Continued ethical complaints on TripAdvisor 2025-2026. Rating 4.0 with polarized reviews.
- Pug Cafe Living Room: Updated pricing: 3,500 yen/70min. Cash only. Extension 1,000 yen/30min.
Cat Cafes
Cat&Animal Cafe Noah's Ark (Gion)
See website
time-based + drink included · walk-in OK, KKday packages available
Cat&Animal Cafe Noah's Ark (Kyoto Aquarium)
See website
time-based · check website
Teacup Club
1,000-2,000 yen
time-based · check website
THE CAT RETREAT at UTANEKODO
See website
1 hour + 1 drink · reservation recommended for matcha experience
Cat Cafe MOCHA Kyoto Kawaramachi
~200 yen/10min (weekday) / ~250 yen/10min (weekend)
10-minute increments (changed Jan 5, 2026) · walk-in (no reservation needed)
PuchiMarry Kyoto Kawaramachi
1,000-2,000 yen
time-based · check website
Kyoto Bengal Cat Forest
700 yen/30min
30 minutes · check website
Black Cat Coffee
food/drink orders only
cafe order only (no cover charge) · check website
Micropig Cafes
mipig cafe Kyoto
See website
30-minute increments, reservation-only · Web reservation ONLY (no phone, no walk-in)
Dog Cafes
Samoyed Cafe AL Kyoto Kawaramachi
1,000-2,000 yen
time-based · check website
Pug Cafe Living Room
See website
70-minute session · reservation recommended
KYOTO MAMESHIBA CAFE
900 yen/30min
30 minutes, ticket counter only · NO reservation — ticket counter walk-in ONLY
Dog Cafe Rio in KYOTO
1,000-2,000 yen
time-based · check website
Puppy cocoa
1,000-2,000 yen
time-based · check website
Cafe Neighbors
1,000-2,000 yen
cafe + interaction · check website
Owl Cafes
KYOTO OWL'S FOREST
700 yen/30min
30 minutes · check website
All Animal Cafes in Kyoto by Area
Other Areas (29)
mipig cafe Kyoto
11,557 reviews — by far the most-reviewed animal cafe in Kyoto. Consistently 4.9 rating.
Japan, 〒604-8042 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakanochō, ５６０−２ 七宝新京極ビル
Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
075-708-7661
Pug Cafe Living Room Kyoto
Updated pricing: 3,500 yen/70min. Cash only. Extension 1,000 yen/30min.
151 Katsurakawatachō, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, 615-8017, Japan
Monday: 12:30 – 5:00 PM
075-874-7989
Cat&Animal Cafe Noah's Ark Kyoto Aquarium Store
Japan, 〒600-8266 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Kaminochō, 416番地2 HOTEL SUN CHLORELLA １F
Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
075-746-5991
Cafe Neighborsカフェネイバーズ
47-5 Mibubōjōchō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8804, Japan
Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
070-9171-5759
Teacup Club
546-5 Nakanochō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8042, Japan
Monday: 12:00 – 7:00 PM
075-746-4676
KYOTO OWL'S FOREST
Continued ethical complaints on TripAdvisor 2025-2026. Rating 4.0 with polarized reviews.
Japan, 〒604-8042 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakanochō, ５５４番地 美松西館 ２F
Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
075-708-3847
Dog Cafe Rio in KYOTO
Japan, 〒604-8035 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Sakuranochō, ３９８ ＳＭＪ三条共同ビル 2階
Monday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
075-366-4281
Black Cat Coffee
70-30 Motoyoshichō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0087, Japan
Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Puppy cocoa
19 Otabichō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8002, Japan
Monday: 2:00 – 8:00 PM
075-746-5971
京都ひょう猫の森
11,557 reviews — by far the most-reviewed animal cafe in Kyoto. Consistently 4.9 rating.
Japan, 〒604-8042 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakanochō, ５５４番地 美松西館 １Ｆ 新京極通り
Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
075-708-3256
THE CAT RETREAT at UTANEKODO
155-4 Tachibanayanagichō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0914, Japan
Monday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
KYOTO MAMESHIBA CAFE
Rating 3.8 — declining. Part of tourist-trap chain.
Japan, 〒604-8043 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Higashidaimonjichō, ３０８ ゑり正ビル １階
Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
075-255-3503
Loutre otter cafe
Japan, 〒604-8061 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Shikibuchō, ２５９−１ 舟木ビル ２階
Monday: 2:00 – 7:00 PM
cafe de monca
Japan, 〒604-8461 京都府京都市中京区西ノ京中保町１８
Monday: Closed
075-463-3770
Cat's Cafe Gallery Cat's Eye
Japan, 〒602-0875 Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, Shintomichō, ３２５−２ 吉成ビル 3F
Monday: 1:00 – 6:00 PM
075-708-8586
Kamogawa Cafe
229–1 Kamiikesuchō, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0855, Japan
Monday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
075-211-4757
Cafe&Bar MOCHI MOCHI
Japan, 〒602-8157 Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, Koyamachō, ８８０ ＵＥＤＡ １F
Monday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
050-3695-5625
cafe OWL
165-2 Fudōchō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8215, Japan
Monday: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
075-746-5144
Yojik
Japan, 〒603-8063 Kyoto, Kita Ward, Kamigamo Imaigaharachō, 66Tree's Bldg 2F
Monday: Closed
075-722-8087
狆ペキカフェ
11,557 reviews — by far the most-reviewed animal cafe in Kyoto. Consistently 4.9 rating.
7-8 Okazaki Tokuseichō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8351, Japan
Monday: Closed
070-8510-4433
Kinta Dog Cafe
115-4 Jōdoji Nishidachō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8417, Japan
Monday: 12:00 – 7:00 PM
090-1955-0111
Fluffy's cafe
595-3 Uraderachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8041, Japan
Monday: 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM
075-241-9939
Cat Café Tango
22 Saiinnishihiramachi, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 615-0023, Japan
Monday: 12:00 – 8:00 PM
075-748-9139
ドッグカフェ
11,557 reviews — by far the most-reviewed animal cafe in Kyoto. Consistently 4.9 rating.
181 Fudōchō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8215, Japan
Monday: Closed
075-257-3865
Nekogura
4-3 Mibudoinouchichō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8842, Japan
Monday: Closed
Maneki Machiya Cat Cafe (reservation required)
11-5 Uzumasa Yasui Tatsumichō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8072, Japan
Cafe Ryoma
Japan, 〒604-8035 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Sakuranochō, 430番8号 J・Pride, 2階
Monday: 2:00 – 7:00 PM
075-231-4181
Bengal Cat and Owl Forest
3-25 Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8385, Japan
Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
075-861-2788
ANELLA CAFE京都烏丸店
ANELLA CAFE【保護犬ふれあいカフェ】京都烏丸店
Japan, 〒604-8176 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Tatsuikechō, ４４８−４
Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
080-2501-4146
Gion (1)
Cat＆Animal Cafe Noah's Ark 祇園店
Japan, 〒605-0073 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Gionmachi Kitagawa, ３２３ 2階 東号室
Monday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
075-585-2450
Kawaramachi (3)
Samoyed Café AL Kyoto Kawaramachi Branch
327 Komeyachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8026, Japan
Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
PuchiMarry ぷちまりー京都河原町店
Japan, 〒604-8032 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Yamazakichō, ２５６ リジョーネビル 3階
Monday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
075-606-5173
Cat Cafe MOCHA Kyoto Kawaramachi
New 10-min pricing system from Jan 5, 2026
mina 4F, 58 Daikokuchō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8031, Japan
Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
075-585-5889
Nijo (1)
Cafe＆Hotel＆Rental Space Mont Kyoto Nijo Kawabata
Cafe＆Hotel＆Rental Space Mont Kyoto Nijo Kawabata（川端二条 カフェ モン）
Japan, 〒606-8385 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Magohashichō, ８−４ Mont kyoto（コンドミニアム
Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
075-205-5151
Browse by Animal Type
How to Book Animal Cafes in Kyoto
Important Booking Notes
- mipig cafe Kyoto: Web reservation ONLY — cannot book by phone or walk in. Book via mipig.cafe/en.
- KYOTO MAMESHIBA CAFE: NO reservations at all — ticket counter at the door only. Arrive early on weekends.
- Pug Cafe Living Room: Reservation recommended. CASH ONLY — no cards, no IC cards, no exceptions.
- Cat Cafe MOCHA: No reservation needed. Walk-in only at Kyoto Kawaramachi location.
- Noah's Ark Gion: Walk-in OK, but KKday package (English) available with drink + snacks included.
- Owl's Forest + Bengal Cat Forest + Mameshiba: All walk-in ticket counter. Same chain. Combo tickets available.
- Utanekodo: Reservation recommended, especially for matcha-whisking experience.
- Kyoto animal cafes are overwhelmingly NOT on jalan.net or hotpepper for booking — almost all are direct booking or walk-in.
| Cafe | Method | Jalan | Asoview | Official |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mipig cafe Kyoto | Web Only | — | — | Required |
| Noah's Ark Gion | walk-in-or-online | — | — | Yes |
| Noah's Ark Kyoto Aquarium | walk-in-or-online | — | — | Yes |
| Samoyed Cafe AL Kawaramachi | Reservation Rec. | — | — | Yes |
| Cat Cafe MOCHA Kawaramachi | Walk-in OK | — | — | Walk-in |
| KYOTO OWL'S FOREST | walk-in-ticket-counter | — | — | Walk-in |
| KYOTO MAMESHIBA CAFE | ticket-counter-only | — | — | No |
| Pug Cafe Living Room | reservation-recommended-cash-only | — | — | Yes |
| Utanekodo | Reservation Rec. | — | — | Yes |
| Dog Cafe Rio Kyoto | walk-in-ok | — | — | Yes |
| Teacup Club | walk-in-ok | — | — | Yes |
| PuchiMarry Kawaramachi | walk-in-ok | — | — | Yes |
| Bengal Cat Forest | walk-in-ticket-counter | — | — | Walk-in |
| Black Cat Coffee | walk-in-cafe | — | — | — |
| Puppy cocoa | walk-in-ok | — | — | Yes |
| Cafe Neighbors | walk-in-ok | — | — | Yes |
Jalan and Asoview are Japanese booking platforms. Some offer exclusive discounts not available elsewhere.
Insider Tips for Animal Cafes in Kyoto
Visit Utanekodo for a unique Kyoto experience
100-year-old machiya, matcha-whisking with cats. 1,650 yen/hr + drink. Near Imperial Palace. Owner speaks English.
Skip Shinkyogoku owl/mameshiba chain cafes
All owned by same company (owls-cats-forest.com). Tourist traps with ethical concerns. Mameshiba rating 3.8, Owl's Forest rating 4.0.
Book mipig cafe Kyoto in advance
Reservation-only via website. Preschool 660 yen, adult 1,760 yen for 25min. Extensions 550 yen/30min. Drink included.
Visit Noah's Ark Gion for variety
40+ cats + ferrets + exotic animals. Located in Gion district — combine with Geisha spotting and temple visits.
Go to Pug Cafe Living Room if you love pugs
12 rescue pugs, 3,500 yen/70min. Far from center but unique. Extension 1,000 yen/30min. Cash only.
Use the Mameshiba + Owl combo ticket only if you insist
1,400 yen combo saves 200 yen. But consider ethical implications of owl cafe before purchasing.
Visit Black Cat Coffee for casual cat encounter
Not a formal cat cafe — a coffee shop with resident cats. Gion area, 8:00-19:00 daily. Rating 4.8.
Check Dog Cafe Rio for mixed cat+dog experience
Sanjo area, 11:00-20:00. Has both cats and dogs. Part of Rio chain (also in Tokyo Shinjuku/Ikebukuro).
Avoid weekends at Shinkyogoku cafes
Tourist area is packed Sat/Sun. Go weekday afternoon for shorter waits and calmer animals.
Combine with Nara deer for full animal day
Kyoto animal cafe morning → Nara deer park afternoon. 45min by train. Free deer interaction vs paid cafes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Visiting Owl's Forest near Nishiki Market
Most complained-about owl cafe in Japan. Owls chained to branches, appearing sedated. Ethical travelers regret this universally.
Expecting lots of variety like Tokyo
Kyoto has 10-15 cafes vs 50+ in Tokyo. Plan 2-3 max, not a full day of cafe-hopping.
Not bringing cash
Pug Cafe Living Room: cash ONLY. Several smaller cafes cash-preferred. Bring 5,000 yen minimum.
Going to Shinkyogoku without checking ratings
Multiple cafes owned by same tourist-trap company. Check individual Google ratings before visiting.
Trying to visit Pug Cafe without planning transport
Nishikyo Ward is 30+ min from central Kyoto. Plan ahead or combine with Arashiyama (nearby).
Visiting Animal Cafes in Kyoto
Your First Visit
Kyoto's animal cafes carry a quality you won't find elsewhere in Japan: traditional architecture. Several operate inside renovated machiya (wooden townhouses), where cats nap on tatami and afternoon light filters through shoji screens. The pace is noticeably slower than Tokyo or Osaka — sessions feel less transactional and more like visiting a friend's home. Expect to pay ¥1,000–1,800 for 30–60 minutes. The Kawaramachi-Gion corridor has the most options.
Before You Go in Kyoto
- Pair a morning temple visit (Kiyomizu-dera or Nanzen-ji) with an afternoon machiya cat cafe — the contrast is memorable
- Kyoto cafes are small (8–15 cats typical) so afternoon slots fill fast; morning visits need no reservation
- Arashiyama Monkey Park isn't technically a cafe but offers a wild animal encounter — 120 macaques on a hilltop, ¥550 entry
- Some machiya cafes serve matcha and wagashi (traditional sweets) alongside the animal experience
- Gion-Shijo Station puts you within walking distance of most animal cafes and the geisha district
Getting Around
Kyoto runs on buses and two subway lines. The Karasuma Line reaches Shijo (cafe hub) from Kyoto Station in 5 minutes. For the Arashiyama area, take the JR Sagano Line (15 min from Kyoto Station). City buses cost ¥230 flat fare — exact change or IC card. Cycling is also practical; many hostels and hotels rent bikes for ¥500–1,000/day.
Ethical Animal Cafe Guide for Kyoto
Not all animal cafes are equal. Here's what to look for when choosing an ethical cafe.
✓Green Flags
- Rescue mission stated (Pug Cafe Living Room — all pugs are rescues)
- Traditional setting with calm atmosphere (Utanekodo machiya)
- Animals have space and retreat options
- Owner personally engaged with animal welfare
- Limited visitor numbers
×Red Flags
- Owls chained/padlocked to perches (Owl's Forest, Bengal Cat Forest same building)
- Multiple cafes owned by single tourist-trap chain (owls-cats-forest.com)
- Nocturnal animals kept awake for daytime visitors
- Very high tourist-to-animal ratio
- Former employee whistleblower: 7+ owl deaths in one year at owl cafes
Recommended Ethical Cafes
Utanekodo (THE CAT RETREAT)
cat cafe in machiya100-year-old townhouse. Calm, respectful atmosphere. Cats are happy and well-cared-for.
Pug Cafe Living Room
dog (rescue pugs)All 12 pugs are rescues. Owner passionate about welfare. Far from center but worth the trip.
mipig cafe Kyoto
micropigClean facility. Pigs are domestically bred. Reservation system limits overcrowding.
Black Cat Coffee
coffee shop with catsNot a formal cat cafe — resident cats in a natural setting. Low-stress for animals.
Noah's Ark Gion
cat + mixedLarge space, animals have room. Rating 4.8. Good for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
mipig cafe Kyoto requires online reservation. Samoyed Cafe AL Kawaramachi accepts walk-ins but reservations recommended. Kyoto Mameshiba Cafe does NOT accept reservations — ticket counter only. Cat Cafe MOCHA is walk-in only. mipig cafe: web-only booking. Mameshiba Cafe: ticket counter walk-in ONLY. Utanekodo: reservation recommended for matcha experience.
Kyoto has notable ethical concerns. Owl's Forest (Shinkyogoku) is the most complained-about owl cafe in Japan — owls chained to fake branches. Pug Cafe Living Room is ethical (rescue pugs). Cat cafes are generally OK. Avoid all owl/exotic animal cafes near Nishiki Market. Owl's Forest: former employee reported 7+ owl deaths in one year. Pug Cafe Living Room: all 12 pugs are rescues.
Cat cafes: 700-1,650 yen/30min-1hr. Micropig (mipig): 660-1,760 yen. Samoyed: ~2,475 yen/hr. Owl: 700 yen/30min. Mameshiba: 900 yen/30min. Pug cafe: 3,500 yen/70min. Combo ticket available: Mameshiba Cafe + Owl's Forest = 1,400 yen (saves 200 yen).
Two main clusters: (1) Shinkyogoku/Kawaramachi — mipig, Mameshiba, Owl's Forest, Bengal Cat Forest, PuchiMarry, MOCHA, all within 2-minute walk. (2) Gion — Noah's Ark cat cafe. Outliers: Pug Cafe Living Room (Nishikyo Ward), Utanekodo (near Imperial Palace). Shinkyogoku arcade has 6+ animal cafes on one street — highest density in Kyoto. All same owner (owls-cats-forest chain).
mipig cafe has no age limit (preschool rate 660 yen). Cat cafes generally accept children with adult supervision. Pug cafe is family-friendly. Owl cafes may have age restrictions. mipig cafe: children love micropigs sitting on their laps. Pug Cafe: 12 gentle rescue pugs, great with kids.
Limited English compared to Tokyo and Osaka. mipig cafe has English website. Noah's Ark (Gion) has some English-speaking staff due to tourist location. Utanekodo owner speaks good English. Shinkyogoku cafes have basic English signs. Utanekodo owner personally guides visitors in English. Noah's Ark KKday booking available in English.
Kyoto has fewer cafes (10-15 vs 50+ in Tokyo) but unique atmosphere. Utanekodo is in a 100-year-old machiya (traditional townhouse). Kyoto cafes are more contemplative/traditional. Higher concentration near temple/shrine areas. Warning: Shinkyogoku owl/mameshiba cafes are tourist traps. Utanekodo: matcha-whisking experience + cats in 100-year-old machiya. Only in Kyoto.
Most ethical travelers say yes. The owls are chained to fake branches, appear stressed, and the facility is the most complained-about owl cafe in Japan. A former employee reported 7+ owl deaths in one year. If you must see owls, Akiba Fukurou in Tokyo is a better (though still debated) option. TripAdvisor reviews: 'experience I will never forget for all the wrong reasons'. Owls padlocked to perches.
Yes, but it's far from central Kyoto (Nishikyo Ward, near Katsura). Worth it for pug lovers: 12 rescue pugs with distinct personalities in a cozy home setting. 3,500 yen for 70 minutes including drink and dog treats. Cash only. All 12 pugs are rescues. Owner is passionate about pug welfare. Cash ONLY, no exceptions.
Shinkyogoku cafes are between Nishiki Market and Shijo-Kawaramachi. Visit after Kinkaku-ji or Fushimi Inari. Utanekodo is near the Imperial Palace — combine with palace visit. Noah's Ark (Gion) is walking distance from Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera. Perfect half-day: Nishiki Market (lunch) → Shinkyogoku animal cafes → Gion walk → Noah's Ark.
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