Ra.a.g.f, Harajuku
(Picture by @nomadic_park on Instagram)
Tokyo Snake Center, Harajuku
(Picture by @nomadic_park on Instagram)
For those looking to get away from the typical animal cafes found in Japan and for something a little different, the Tokyo Snake Center may be the animal cafe for you. After travelling to the 8th floor, the entrance fee is 1080 yen which includes a drink from the menu (some do have an extra charge such as alcoholic drinks and some hot drinks which are specified on the menu) and a small snake at your table which you can choose. If you are brave enough to hold a snake, you can pay an additional 540 yen to hold 2 snakes; 1080 yen for 4 snakes or 1080 yen to hold the special snake of the day which changes regularly. I visited this cafe 7 times over my time in Japan and every time the staff were so friendly and clearly cared for the snakes and getting to hold them is an experience I would highly recommend with the staff ensuring both you and the snakes are safe the entire time.
Using the subway is the best way to get to the Tokyo Snake Center. From Tokyo Station you can take the JR Yamanote Line from platform 5 for 27 minutes to Harajuku station. From there it is just a short 7 minute walk straight to the Tokyo Snake Center. This will cost approximately 200 yen or 194 yen with an IC card (more information on these here).
Living Room, Kyoto
The “Living Room” pug cafe in Kyoto is an amazing cafe with 12 adorable pugs that you can sit and play with whilst having food and drink (for both you and the pugs).
It is 1000 yen for 1 hour with a drink and snack for both you and the dogs included. However, on special days (check the calendar for when these are), the prices increases to 3000 yen but allows you to stay for a minimum of 2 hours (unlimited if it is not busy), unlimited drinks and some extra presents too.
Every pug at this cafe is incredibly sweet and lovable and during your time there you really get to know each of their personalities too. You can even check out the family tree and vote for which pug is your favourite (though that is a very hard decision to make with all of them being so cute!).
The easiest way to get to the Living Room pug cafe is by bus. From Kyoto Station walk to the Kyoto Ekimae (京都駅前) bus stop and catch the number 33 bus from platform C5. Get off at Katsura Rikyumae (桂離宮前), 11 stops from Kyoto Ekimae, where you can then walk to the Living Room Pug Cafe. Be sure to check out the tips on travelling around Japan for more advice.
HARRY, Harajuku
(Picture by @nomadic_park on Instagram)
Harajuku’s hedgehog cafe “HARRY” (named after the Japanese name for hedgehog: “harinezumi”) is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cafes with some of the sweetest animals being housed inside. The cafe has lots of seating so the wait time was never too long and with several hedgehogs to play with at your seat you will be fully entertained from the moment you sit down. All of the hedgehogs appear to be well cared for at this cafe and dearly loved by the staff which makes it a very inviting and comfortable environment to be in with them.
The entrance fee is 1400 yen for 30 minutes or 1630 yen for entrance and hedgehog snacks for 30 minutes. If you change your mind and would like some hedgehog snack or would like more it is an additional 540 yen. However, if you go over your 30 minutes, you will be charged an extra 1400 yen so make sure to keep track of the time.
I would recommend paying for the hedgehog food as the hedgehogs appeared a lot more comfortable and relaxed around us after being given some treats.
As with the Tokyo Snake Center in Harajuku, you can use the same route to reach HARRY. From Tokyo Station you can take the JR Yamanote Line from platform 5 in Tokyo Station straight to Harajuku Station. It is then a short 2 minute walk right out of the station and following around the corner to the cafe.
Nekorobi, Ikebukuro
The cat cafe “Nekorobi” is the first animal cafe I visited and it did not fail to impress. Nekorobi lets you play with 12 cute cats with everything else in the room included in the price of your visit – including drinks from the vending machine and use of the Nintendo Wii.
For 30 minutes with the cats it costs 800 yen on weekdays and 900 yen on weekends or for 1 hour it is 1100 yen on weekdays and 1300 yen on weekends. However, if you go over your allocated time it is an additional 250 yen on weekdays and 300 yen on weekends for every 15 minutes you go over so don’t get too distracted by the cats and keep and eye on the time.
This is a great cafe with so much included in the price and so many personable cats to spend time with but it is very easy to lose track of the time and be charged extra so be careful.
When visiting Nekorobi, it is best to use the subway to get there. The quickest way from Tokyo Station is taking the Marunouchi Line from platform 2 for 16 minutes to Ikebukuro station where you can leave through the Sunshine City exit and walk approximately 3 minutes to Nekorobi Cat Cafe. If you want to see alternative routes and plan other trips, check out this page.
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