Yokohama sits just 30 minutes south of Tokyo by train, yet most visitors to Japan skip it entirely in favor of Shibuya or Shinjuku. That is a mistake — especially if you are interested in animal cafes. Yokohama has a growing cluster of cat cafes, hedgehog encounters, owl experiences, and even a reptile teahouse, many of them tucked into the streets around Yokohama Chinatown and the Motomachi shopping district. The proximity to Chinatown food, the Cup Noodles Museum, and the Red Brick Warehouse waterfront makes it easy to build an entire day trip around animal encounters and sightseeing.
This guide covers every notable animal cafe in Yokohama as of 2026, with current prices, hours, walking distances from stations, and practical advice for combining cafe visits with the city's best attractions.
Why Yokohama for Animal Cafes
Tokyo dominates the animal cafe conversation, and for good reason — it has the widest variety and the highest density of cafes in Japan. But Yokohama offers several advantages that Tokyo cannot match.
First, the cafes here are less crowded. A cat cafe in Harajuku on a Saturday afternoon can feel like a rush-hour train. The same type of cafe in Yokohama's Motomachi area might have half the visitors. That means more time with the animals and a more relaxed experience overall.
Second, Yokohama's compact layout works in your favor. The Chinatown, Motomachi, and Kannai areas are all within a 15-minute walk of each other. You can visit two or three animal cafes in a single afternoon without spending half your time on trains.
Third, Yokohama is genuinely easy to reach from central Tokyo. JR Tokaido Line runs from Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station in about 25 minutes. The Tokyu Toyoko Line connects Shibuya to Yokohama in 30 minutes. And the Minato Mirai Line continues directly from Yokohama Station to Motomachi-Chukagai Station, putting you right at the doorstep of Chinatown and its surrounding cafes.
For a detailed look at Tokyo's animal cafe scene, see our Tokyo animal cafe guides.
Top Animal Cafes in Yokohama
Cat Cafe Leon — Yokohama's Original
Cat Cafe Leon holds the distinction of being Yokohama's first cat cafe, opened on February 23, 2008. It is located just one minute on foot from the north exit of JR Ishikawacho Station, on the edge of the Motomachi-Chinatown area.
The cafe has a homey, lived-in atmosphere rather than the polished Instagram aesthetic of some newer cat cafes. The cats here are well-socialized and accustomed to visitors, which means they are more likely to approach you than hide under furniture.
| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Location | Near JR Ishikawacho Station North Exit | | Walk from station | 1 minute | | Animals | Cats (10-15 in residence) | | Price | Around 1,100-1,300 yen for 60 minutes | | Drinks | Included in entry fee | | Reservations | Walk-in OK, weekends may have waits |
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest experience. The cats tend to be more active and playful before the afternoon crowds arrive.
Cat Cafe Puchi Marry Yokohama Motomachi
Puchi Marry occupies a cozy second-floor space at 3-116 Motomachi, about three minutes on foot from Motomachi-Chukagai Station. With roughly 20 cats in residence, this cafe has a solid cat-to-visitor ratio that means you will almost always have a feline companion within arm's reach.
The cats here have a reputation for being unusually friendly — several reviewers note that the cats actively seek out lap time, which is not always the case at Japanese cat cafes. The interior is bright and clean, with plenty of cat furniture and toys.
| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Location | 3-116 Motomachi, Naka-ku (Mori Brother Bldg. 2F) | | Walk from station | 3 minutes from Motomachi-Chukagai Station | | Animals | Approximately 20 cats | | Price | Around 1,200 yen for 60 minutes | | Drinks | Available for purchase | | Reservations | Recommended on weekends |
Cat Cafe Necochan to Issho — Chinatown Location
Positioned on the third floor of a building diagonally across from Lexus in the Chinatown area, Necochan to Issho is about two minutes from Motomachi-Chukagai Station. The name translates roughly to "Together with Kitties," and the cafe lives up to it.
Online reservations are recommended here, especially on weekends and holidays. The cafe is small enough that a full house can feel cramped, but a reservation guarantees you a spot.
| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Location | Chinatown area, Naka-ku | | Walk from station | 2 minutes from Motomachi-Chukagai Station | | Animals | Cats | | Price | Around 1,200-1,500 yen for 60 minutes | | Reservations | Online reservation recommended |
Omusubi Cat Cafe — Near Yokohama Station
If you want a cat cafe without venturing down to Chinatown, Omusubi is located near Yokohama Station itself. This is a rescue cat cafe, meaning the cats in residence are available for adoption. Even if you cannot adopt (international visitors obviously cannot), the experience of spending time with rescue cats adds a meaningful dimension to the visit.
The entry fee is approximately 1,500 yen with no time limit — a notable difference from most cat cafes in Japan, which charge by the hour. That makes Omusubi a good choice if you want to linger.
| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Location | Near Yokohama Station | | Animals | Rescue cats (approximately 10) | | Price | Around 1,500 yen, no time limit | | Drinks | Available | | Special note | Adoption-focused rescue cafe |
HARRY Hedgehog & Small Animal Cafe — Yokohama Chinatown
HARRY is a well-known chain with locations in Harajuku, Asakusa, and Yokohama. The Yokohama Chinatown branch is located at M'sPort 2F, right in the heart of the Chinatown district. Here you can interact with hedgehogs, meerkats, fennec foxes, chinchillas, prairie dogs, and occasionally otters, depending on the season and animal availability.
Each 30-minute session includes a free drink. Staff place a small animal on your hands (wearing provided gloves for hedgehogs) and guide you through the interaction. The experience is more structured than a typical cat cafe — think guided encounter rather than free-roaming lounge.
| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Location | M'sPort 2F, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku (Chinatown) | | Walk from station | 3 minutes from Motomachi-Chukagai Station | | Animals | Hedgehogs, meerkats, fennec foxes, chinchillas, prairie dogs, owls | | Duration | 30 minutes per session | | Price | Around 1,500-3,540 yen (varies by plan and extras) | | Drinks | One free drink included | | Reservations | Strongly recommended; book via official site or Rakuten |
The price range varies depending on whether you book a basic hedgehog session or the premium plan that includes interaction with rarer animals like fennec foxes. Booking through Rakuten Travel Experiences or the official HARRY website is the easiest way to secure a spot.
For a deeper look at hedgehog cafes across Japan, read our hedgehog cafes guide.
ANITOUCH Minato Mirai — Owl & Small Animal Experience
ANITOUCH is located in the Minato Mirai waterfront district, making it a natural stop if you are visiting the Cup Noodles Museum, Cosmo World amusement park, or the Red Brick Warehouse. The focus here is on owls — from small screech owls to larger horned owls — but they also have other small animals depending on the season.
The experience allows you to pet the owls' heads, place them on your hand (with a glove), and photograph them up close. Staff supervise all interactions to ensure the animals are handled safely.
| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Location | Minato Mirai district | | Hours | Weekdays 10:30-19:00, Weekends/Holidays 10:30-20:00 | | Animals | Owls (various species), small animals | | Open | Year-round |
This is a good option for visitors who want an animal experience in between Minato Mirai attractions without making the trip down to Chinatown. For our honest take on owl cafes in Japan, see our owl cafe review.
Yokohama Subtropical Teahouse — Reptile Cafe
Japan's original reptile cafe is right here in Yokohama. Yokohama Subtropical Teahouse has been serving Chinese tea alongside tortoises, lizards, and snakes since well before reptile cafes became a trend. Located at Chojamachi 8-133, 2F in Naka-ku, this cafe is a short walk from the Kannai area.
The atmosphere is more teahouse than theme park. You order from a menu of over a dozen Chinese tea varieties (around 800-900 yen per pot) or a scone-and-tea set (around 1,400 yen), and the reptiles roam freely or sit in open enclosures around the room. There is no cover charge — you simply pay for what you eat and drink.
| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Location | Chojamachi 8-133, 2F, Naka-ku | | Hours | 11:00-20:00 (last order), closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays | | Animals | Tortoises, lizards, snakes, other reptiles | | Price | No cover charge; tea from 800 yen, tea + scones set 1,400 yen | | Nearest station | JR Kannai Station or Isezakichojamachi Station |
For more on reptile cafes in Japan, check out our reptile cafes Tokyo guide.
Price Comparison
Here is a quick comparison of what you can expect to spend at each Yokohama animal cafe.
| Cafe | Type | Base Price | Duration | Drinks | |---|---|---|---|---| | Cat Cafe Leon | Cat | ~1,100-1,300 yen | 60 min | Included | | Puchi Marry | Cat | ~1,200 yen | 60 min | Extra | | Necochan to Issho | Cat | ~1,200-1,500 yen | 60 min | Varies | | Omusubi | Rescue Cat | ~1,500 yen | No limit | Available | | HARRY Chinatown | Hedgehog/Exotic | ~1,500-3,540 yen | 30 min | 1 free | | ANITOUCH | Owl/Small Animal | Varies | Varies | Varies | | Subtropical Teahouse | Reptile | No cover (food/drink from 800 yen) | No limit | Tea menu |
Compared to Tokyo, Yokohama animal cafe prices are roughly similar — cat cafes run 1,100-1,500 yen per hour, and exotic animal experiences cost 1,500-3,500 yen per session. For a full pricing breakdown across Japan, see our animal cafe prices guide.
How to Get to Yokohama from Tokyo
Getting to Yokohama is straightforward from anywhere in central Tokyo.
Train Options
| Route | Line | Time | Cost | |---|---|---|---| | Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station | JR Tokaido Line | ~25 min | 490 yen | | Shibuya to Yokohama | Tokyu Toyoko Line | ~30 min | 310 yen | | Shinjuku to Yokohama | JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line | ~30 min | 580 yen | | Shinagawa to Yokohama | JR Keihin-Tohoku Line | ~20 min | 310 yen |
From Yokohama Station, take the Minato Mirai Line to Motomachi-Chukagai Station (the last stop, about 7 minutes) for Chinatown and most of the animal cafes listed above. This line is covered by the Minato Mirai Line One-Day Pass (480 yen), which pays for itself if you make two or more trips.
If you hold a Japan Rail Pass, the JR routes to Yokohama Station are covered. The Minato Mirai Line is a private railway and is not covered by JR Pass.
Getting Around Yokohama
Once you are in the Chinatown/Motomachi area, everything is walkable. The distances between cafes are short:
- Motomachi-Chukagai Station to HARRY Chinatown: 3 minutes
- HARRY Chinatown to Puchi Marry: 5 minutes
- Puchi Marry to Cat Cafe Leon (JR Ishikawacho): 8 minutes
- Chinatown area to Kannai (Subtropical Teahouse): 10 minutes
- Chinatown to Minato Mirai (ANITOUCH): 15-20 minutes on foot or one stop by train
Combining Animal Cafes with Yokohama Sightseeing
The best part about Yokohama animal cafes is their location. Nearly all of them are within walking distance of the city's top attractions. Here is a suggested day-trip itinerary.
Morning (Minato Mirai Area)
Start at Cup Noodles Museum (10:00 opening) to make your own custom instant ramen. Then walk to ANITOUCH for an owl encounter. If you have time, stop at Cosmo World (the giant Ferris wheel with harbor views is free to look at, rides are pay-per-ride) or browse the Red Brick Warehouse shops.
Lunch (Chinatown)
Walk from Minato Mirai to Chinatown (15-20 minutes along the waterfront, or one train stop). Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan with over 500 shops and restaurants. Grab nikuman (steamed meat buns) from a street vendor or sit down for dim sum. Budget 1,000-2,500 yen for a solid lunch.
Afternoon (Chinatown & Motomachi Cafes)
After lunch, visit HARRY Hedgehog Cafe for a 30-minute session. Then walk to Cat Cafe Puchi Marry or Cat Cafe Leon for an hour with cats. If reptiles interest you, the Subtropical Teahouse is a 10-minute walk toward Kannai.
Evening
Return to the waterfront for sunset views from Osanbashi Pier (free entry) or the Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden observation deck. Chinatown restaurants stay open late for dinner.
Practical Tips
Reservations: Book HARRY in advance, especially on weekends. Cat cafes are usually walk-in friendly on weekdays but can fill up on Saturdays.
Allergies: If you have cat allergies but want an animal experience, HARRY (hedgehogs/exotics) or ANITOUCH (owls) are good alternatives. The Subtropical Teahouse is completely fur-free.
Children: Most Yokohama animal cafes welcome children, but HARRY requires children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult, and very young children may not be allowed to hold hedgehogs. Check individual cafe policies before visiting with kids.
Etiquette: The same rules apply as everywhere in Japan — no flash photography, do not pick up animals without permission, follow staff instructions, wash your hands before and after handling animals. For a complete rundown, see our animal cafe etiquette guide.
Payment: Smaller cat cafes may be cash-only. HARRY and ANITOUCH accept credit cards and some IC cards. Bring cash just in case. See our animal cafe booking and payment guide for more details.
Language: Staff at HARRY typically speak some English due to the tourist location. Smaller cat cafes may have limited English, but the experience is intuitive enough that language is rarely a barrier.
When to Visit
Yokohama animal cafes are open year-round, making them a reliable option regardless of season. However, a few timing considerations:
- Weekday mornings: offer the smallest crowds at every cafe
- Golden Week (late April-early May): and New Year holidays bring peak crowds — book everything in advance
- Rainy days: are actually ideal for animal cafes since they are indoor activities. Yokohama's rainy season runs from early June to mid-July
- Summer afternoons: can be hot for walking between cafes — plan your route to minimize outdoor time or use the Minato Mirai Line between stops
Yokohama vs. Tokyo for Animal Cafes
| Factor | Tokyo | Yokohama | |---|---|---| | Variety | Widest in Japan (cat, dog, owl, hedgehog, rabbit, reptile, micro pig, capybara, and more) | Good variety (cat, hedgehog, owl, reptile) | | Crowd level | High, especially weekends | Moderate | | Prices | Similar range | Similar range | | Sightseeing combo | Endless options | Chinatown, Minato Mirai, waterfront | | Travel time from central Tokyo | Already there | 25-30 minutes by train | | Best for | Maximum choice | Relaxed day trip with food and sightseeing |
For most visitors, Tokyo animal cafes will be the main event and Yokohama an excellent day trip addition. If your schedule only allows one destination, Tokyo has more options. But if you are spending more than a few days in the Tokyo area, a Yokohama day trip that combines Chinatown food, waterfront sightseeing, and two or three animal cafe visits is one of the best single-day itineraries in the Kanto region.
For our full Yokohama animal cafe directory with maps and filters, visit Animal Cafes in Yokohama.
Final Thoughts
Yokohama deserves more attention from animal cafe enthusiasts than it currently receives. The combination of quality cafes, walkable distances, world-class Chinatown food, and a stunning waterfront makes it a near-perfect day trip from Tokyo. Cat Cafe Leon and Puchi Marry offer warm, low-key cat experiences. HARRY provides a structured exotic animal encounter that works well for first-timers. And the Subtropical Teahouse remains one of Japan's most unique cafe concepts — sipping Chinese tea while a tortoise ambles past your feet is an experience you will not find anywhere else.
Start planning your visit with our complete Yokohama animal cafe listings, and check out the animal cafe booking and payment guide to prepare for reservations and payments at Japanese cafes.