Japan has cafes for cats, hedgehogs, owls, rabbits, and reptiles. However, cat cafes are the most common. Where do these cafes get their animals? What happens when the animals get too old or sick? Over 40,000 cats and dogs are put down in shelters every year in Japan. That’s 40% more than in the U.S., U.K., and China. Shelters give the animals seven days before gassing them to death. This seems disturbing.
Many Japanese women treat their dogs like babies. They feed them with spoons and take them to special dog cafes. Still, Japan is not very dog-friendly overall. There are hardly any places you can take dogs, except for parks if they are on a leash. So dog trainers could be very successful in Japan.
The Shiba Inu, which can grow over 2 feet tall and weigh 25 pounds, is a popular dog breed in Japan because it is family-friendly and can live 15 years. When deciding on a name and building a website for your new dog cafe, make it appealing and easy to remember. Also seek guidance from successful pet cafe owners.
Although exotic animals like otters and owls can be owned as pets in Japan, it is illegal to import aggressive dog breeds. A statue commemorating Hachiko, the dog who waited years at the train station for his deceased owner, is one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist sites. It represents the loyalty dogs are capable of.
The animal cafe trend has spread globally. Seoul has a raccoon cafe with a corgi. Edinburgh has a cat cafe focused on animal welfare. And cat cafes exist in many U.S. cities now too. People unable to have pets at home enjoy the therapeutic benefits of interacting with animals at cafes.
Are Japanese dog cafes ethical?
There are plenty of dog cafes in Tokyo. Micro Tea Cup Cafe is a cozy dog cafe, and Harry’s Zoo Cafe has animals for hands-on experiences with exotic, and in some cases, endangered or threatened species. Perfect would be having the hedgehog cafe only open at night.
The Y’s Café became a dog café for toy poodle owners to meet. They have seating to strike up conversations and a sheltered run for pups to play.
Mame Shiba Cafe has mini Shiba dogs just 5 minutes from the Harajuku station. You can grab a drink and play with the dogs. Please do not lift, hug or use flash for photos of the dogs after hearing the staff’s explanation.
How much is the dog cafe in Japan?
Inu Cafe Rio, located in Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood, is a pet cafe where you can pay as you go to spend time with a lot of energetic dogs in a big welcoming space. Follow this guide to learn about the types of animal café in Tokyo, how to choose a good one, and what you should know before visiting. We also provide a guide to our top 10 animal cafés in Tokyo below – let’s get stuck in!