So, I have finally done it, I have visited my first cat cafe, namely Catwork Cafe in the snowy hills of Yazawa. And I have to say it was more enjoyable and less gay than I thought.
It was though still pretty gay and not necessarily something I will be embracing long term,
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WTF is a cat cafe?
A cat cafe is exactly what it sounds like. A coffee shop where the main attraction is not the coffee but a room full of cats. You pay an entrance fee, buy a drink and then spend time petting, feeding and generally hanging out with resident felines. It is a very Japanese concept, born from tiny apartments and strict rental rules that make owning pets difficult. Instead of committing to a cat for 15 years, you rent one by the hour.
Since starting in Japan, the idea has spread across Asia, Europe and even the US. But it still feels very Japanese. Clean, organised, timed to the minute and slightly surreal.
And Catwork Cafe in Yazawa
Catwork Cafe opened last year and is very much a product of modern resort Yuzawa. With skiing as the only real daytime activity, anything different stands out. It is independently run and, interestingly, staffed by Taiwanese employees, which actually made communication easier than expected.
The cafe itself is compact but well kept. The cats look healthy, well groomed and surprisingly chill considering the constant flow of strangers. It is clearly aimed at tourists looking for a novelty break between ski sessions rather than hardcore cat obsessives. In a town built around snow, it offers something warm and fluffy instead.
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And the experience?
What drew me into Catwork was two fold, firstly I have never been to a cat cafe, and two there really is fuck all else to do in Yazawa during the day – aside from skiing of course. Expecting a Japanese experience I was not all that shcikjed to learn that the staff were Taiwanese, which at least meant we could communicate.
You then pay an entrance fee, buy an exorbitantly priced drink, are given some cat food and its off to the races. And then? Well you feed and play with cats, with some finding it a really relaxing experience. For me I found it A OK, at least for an hour, but I can see how it would get boring very quickly. Thankfully you pay by the hour mind.
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And the cost at Catwork Cafe
Its 1500 Yen, or about 10 bucks an hour to stay in there, which is not actually that bad. On top though you buy your drinks with my apple juice coming in at 4 bucks. Other drinks are similarly priced. I guess that need this to survive and look after the cats.
Other then my group there was only one other lady. She was alone. She was a cat lady.
So, overall not bad, but probably the 16th gayest thing you can do. Fir context 15 is using hair conditioner. And overall I think I would rather be in a maid bar, which is super hetro.
Where they Catwork Cafe
Address: 3-3-13 Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6101, Japan
Phone: +81 50-1808-1838
Nearest station: About a 5-minute walk from JR Echigo-Yuzawa Station
Instagram: @catwork_cafe
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