5 Places in Japan Where You Can Stay with Rescue Cats — Sleep, Cuddle & Support Shelters
Imagine falling asleep with a cat curled up at your feet. Not at home — at a place you've never been before, in the Japanese countryside, where the cat chose to be there on its own.
In Japan, a small number of accommodations let you do exactly that: stay overnight with rescue cats. These aren't cat cafés that close at 8 PM. They're places where you check in, the cats are already there, and they might still be there when you wake up.
The best part? Just by staying, you're supporting animal rescue. Your accommodation fee helps cover food, medical care, and safe shelter for cats that once had nowhere to go.
Here are five places in Japan where you can sleep alongside rescue cats — each offering a completely different experience.
1. Washin Village (Chiba, Futtsu) — Glamping in the Hills with Free-Roaming Rescue Cats
Washin Village sits in the satoyama hills of Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture — about 70 minutes from central Tokyo by car. Around 20 rescued animals live here: 16 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 goats. There are no cages, no barriers, no scheduled "interaction time." The cats simply live here, and so do you, for a night.
That's what makes Washin Village different from every other place on this list. The cats aren't brought to you, and you don't go to a separate café to see them. According to 281 Google reviews (average 4.8 stars), the most common experience guests describe is "a friendly cat enters your room and just stays, relaxing with you" (mentioned 15 times). Eleven reviewers specifically noted that "a cat slept in the futon with me at night." Nine others mentioned encounters with dogs, goats, and silkie chickens beyond the cats. This isn't a scheduled interaction — the animals come to you on their own terms.
Accommodation options range from a 200-year-old farmhouse (from 25,000 yen/night) to architect Kengo Kuma's "Jyubako" mobile house (from 20,000 yen, 2 guests only), a Nagayamon gatehouse (from 30,000 yen), and Nordisk glamping tents (from 18,000 yen). All guests get free access to the Finnish-style wood-fired sauna with self-löyly. There's also covered BBQ, free firewood for bonfires, and Wi-Fi throughout.
From guest reviews: "Time flows slowly here — a peaceful space for the soul." "You can hear the tiny snores of a cat sleeping next to your pillow." "An escape from the noise of the city." — Selected from 281 Google reviews
Location: 14 Takamizo, Futtsu City, Chiba 299-1733
Getting there: ~70 min by car from Tokyo (via Aqua-Line). Nearest station: JR Uchibo Line "Aobori"
Price: From 18,000 yen/night
Check-in / out: 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM
Book: d-reserve.jp (online only)
Website: washinmura.jp
2. Neco Republic Cat Ryokan (Osaka, Shinsaibashi) — Fall Asleep Watching Cats Through Glass
In the heart of Osaka's Shinsaibashi district, Neco Republic runs a hostel-style accommodation attached to their rescue cat café. They call it "Neko Hatago" — a nod to the traditional inns of Edo-period Japan, but with cats.
The concept is simple: your sleeping area is separated from the cat space by a single pane of glass. During the day, you can enter the cat café and interact with the rescue cats directly. At night, you watch them from your bed through the glass — cats grooming, playing, sleeping just on the other side. It's oddly peaceful.
This setup works well for people with mild allergies or those who prefer a lower-contact experience. The nightly rate includes a voucher for 2 hours of cat café time (worth 3,000 yen). Neco Republic was founded with the mission of ending cat euthanasia in Japan, and all proceeds go directly to their rescue operations.
Location: Chuo-ku, Osaka (Shinsaibashi area)
Getting there: ~10 min walk from Shinsaibashi Station (Midosuji Line)
Price: From 8,900 yen/person/night (excl. tax, includes cat café voucher)
Check-in / out: 3:00 PM / 10:00 AM
Cat interaction: Direct during café hours; through glass at night
Website: neco-republic.jp
3. My Cat Yugawara (Kanagawa) — Borrow a Cat for the Night
Tucked away in the hot spring town of Yugawara, "My Cat" (まいきゃっと) offers something no other place does: you choose a rescue cat at their café, and that cat comes to your room for the night.
After checking in, you visit the attached cat café and spend time with the cats. When you find one you connect with, the staff brings that cat to your room from 5:30 PM until 9:00 AM the next morning. It's a trial foster experience — a chance to feel what it's like to share your space with a cat that needs a home. Some guests have gone on to adopt the very cat they spent the night with.
The rooms are simple Japanese-style tatami rooms. There's a shared bath (not a natural hot spring, but warm and private). No meals are included, but Yugawara's onsen town has plenty of restaurants nearby. The experience is modest in amenities but rich in the one thing that matters — time alone with a cat.
Location: 244-1 Fukuura, Yugawara, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
Getting there: JR Tokaido Line to "Yugawara Station," then bus or taxi
Price: From ~4,263 yen/night (room) + 2,200 yen per cat
Check-in / out: 3:00 PM / 10:00 AM
Cat interaction: Your chosen cat stays in your room (5:30 PM – 9:00 AM)
Website: mycat-yugawara.com
4. Maneki Machiya (Kyoto) — Stay in a Townhouse, Support Cat Rescue
Maneki Machiya is a collection of beautifully restored traditional Kyoto townhouses (machiya) run by the Japan Cat Network, a non-profit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming stray cats across Japan.
The cats don't live in the machiya themselves, but guests can visit the nearby rescue cat café anytime during their stay. The real draw here is the combination of a deeply authentic Kyoto living experience with the knowledge that every yen you spend goes directly to saving cats.
Each machiya is a private, self-contained guesthouse with a kitchen, garden view, bedding, towels, and coffee. Three properties are available, sleeping 2-4 guests. The neighborhood is quiet and traditional — a Kyoto that most tourists never see. Bookings are through Airbnb only.
Location: Kyoto city (exact address provided after booking)
Getting there: Various locations within Kyoto
Price: From 8,000–11,500 yen/night + 4,500 yen cleaning fee
Cat interaction: Visit the attached rescue cat café freely
Book: Airbnb only
Website: japancatnetwork.org
5. Tashirojima, Cat Island (Miyagi, Ishinomaki) — An Entire Island of Cats
Tashirojima isn't an accommodation — it's an experience. This small island off the coast of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, is home to over a hundred cats that roam freely among the fishing village's quiet lanes. The human population is small; the cat population is not.
The island's fishing community has cared for these cats for generations, believing they bring good luck. There's even a cat shrine (Neko Jinja) on the island. The cats aren't rescued in the traditional sense — they simply belong here, and the island belongs to them.
Accommodation is limited to "Manga Island," a cluster of lodges designed by famous manga artists Tetsuya Chiba and Machiko Satonaka. The lodges sleep 4-5 guests and are open from April to October (Wednesday through Sunday; daily during summer holidays; closed November through March). There are almost no restaurants or shops on the island — bring your own food.
Location: Tashirojima, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
Getting there: JR Senseki Line to Ishinomaki → bus to pier → 35-45 min ferry
Price: Manga Island lodge (contact for rates)
Season: April–October (Wed–Sun; daily in Aug)
Cat interaction: Free-roaming island cats, outdoors
Reference: Ishinomaki City Official Site
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Facility | Area | Cat Interaction | Price (per night) | From Tokyo | Stay Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washin Village | Chiba, Futtsu | Free-roaming (16 cats) | From 18,000 yen | ~70 min drive | Glamping (farmhouse, tent, mobile house) |
| Neco Republic | Osaka, Shinsaibashi | Direct by day, glass at night | From 8,900 yen/person | ~2.5 hr shinkansen + subway | Dormitory hostel |
| My Cat Yugawara | Kanagawa, Yugawara | Cat joins your room overnight | From ~4,263 yen + cat 2,200 yen | ~1.5 hr train | Japanese-style inn |
| Maneki Machiya | Kyoto | Attached cat café | From 8,000 yen | ~2 hr 15 min shinkansen | Private machiya townhouse |
| Tashirojima | Miyagi, Ishinomaki | Island cats, outdoors | Contact for rates | ~4 hr (train + bus + ferry) | Lodge (seasonal) |
Your Stay Supports Animal Rescue
Every facility on this list channels accommodation revenue toward animal welfare. At Washin Village, your stay helps provide food, shelter, and medical care for around 20 rescued animals. Neco Republic was built on the mission of ending cat euthanasia in Japan. Maneki Machiya funds the Japan Cat Network's rescue operations across the country. My Cat Yugawara actively matches cats with foster families and adopters.
You don't need to donate, volunteer, or do anything special. Just stay the night. That alone makes a difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stay at these places if I have cat allergies?
It depends on the facility. Neco Republic's Cat Ryokan lets you watch cats through glass at night, limiting direct contact. On Tashirojima, cats are outdoors, which may reduce allergen exposure. However, if you have severe allergies, consult your doctor before visiting any of these accommodations.
Can I actually touch the cats? How does it differ between facilities?
At Washin Village, rescue cats roam freely throughout the property — you can interact naturally anytime. At My Cat Yugawara, you choose a cat and it stays in your room overnight. At Neco Republic, you can pet cats during café hours but view them through glass at night. At Maneki Machiya, you visit the attached cat café. On Tashirojima, cats roam the island outdoors.
Are these places family-friendly? Can I bring children?
Most of these facilities welcome families. Washin Village is a glamping retreat popular with families. My Cat Yugawara also accepts family guests. For Tashirojima, parents should supervise young children as it's a natural island environment. Always check each facility's specific policies before booking.