Tokyo's Calico Cat Cafe

Have you heard about the new trend in Japanese tea houses?  They're called cat cafés.  For just $10.00 an hour, patrons can sip tea and pet or play with one of the twenty or so resident cats who inhabit the establishment.  A different kind of 'cat house' than those we have here in the States, huh?

However, there's nothing shameful about the Calico cat café and other places like it.  It truly seems to serve a purpose in that country.  Many Japanese people work long hours, travel often on business, and live in small apartments that don't allow pets.  Animal companionship is hard to come by, so cafés have begun to offer this small comfort of home.  The article I read about the phenomena (in United Airline's October issue of Hemispheres) said Calico was often booked solid on the weekends and that the trend is growing.  A bunny café recently opened in Tokyo. (photo from Japan Times Online)

--Laurel

Comments

[Daisy the Curly Cat]

I sure wish they would open something like that in the US. I would love to visit more cats in person!

[Laurel]

It's an interesting business idea, isn't it "Daisy"? I'd love to manage a cafe like this! Maybe that's what I'll do in my retirement!

[Dana]

I absolutely love this! What a terrific idea and something like this could work in all sorts of different countries. Maybe all of us here at the Vet Wisdom Cafe need to form our own cat Cafe!

[turtlecookie]

What a cool idea! Especially for people who work long hours or live in a situation where they can't have a cat or other pet of their own. The bunny Cafe sounds cute, too. I wonder if the bunnies are litter box trained... ;-)

Turtlecookie