Visiting a Tokyo Owl Cafe

And how to do it right

In light of the recent postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which I was planning to attend, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit my trip to Japan in September of 2016. One of my favorite experiences while I was there was the opportunity I got to play with some real life owls!

Anyone who’s met me knows I love animals. However, it might be lesser known that owls are by far my favorite of them all. Some find them cute and cuddly, others find them savage and scary. I love them. I think they are beautiful, quirky, and unique. Back in 2016, when I treated myself to a trip to Tokyo as a graduation present, the city allowed me to get up close and personal with these adorably odd creatures. I was finally able to visit an owl cafe. I got to pet and hold them and have them fly up onto my (gloved) arm. It was a dream come true!

Originating in Taiwan and popularized in Japan, animal or pet cafes are places where you typically pay a cover fee to spend time with animals while possibly enjoying a beverage or food. Cat cafes are the most popular. However, other themes include dogs, rabbits, sheep, birds, and even raccoons. Although the principle reason for these businesses is leisure, more and more are now making an effort to rescue animals and advertise adoption, for animals that can be handled as pets of course.

An establishment concerned with owls will differ from ones with more domesticated animals. Principally, a handler will always be present and you must be careful to move slowly and respect the animals’ space. Paying attention to how you move is necessary for cats as well, but a cat is much more likely to just scurry away if it is bothered, unlike an owl that might screech or act erratically. The owls are all incredibly well behaved, but in such a confined space, the last thing you want to do is upset a creature like that.

These cafes have raised many questions of animal welfare around the world, since some creatures aren’t domesticated or normally cut out for captivity, like an owl. Even cafes with cats and dogs fall under scrutiny if they are not ensuring the health and safety of its inhabitants, especially considering they come in contact with visitors. If you want to visit an establishment like this, do a bit of research and due diligence.

I was very impressed by the cafe I visited: Owl Village Cafe. Located in the Harajuku neighborhood of Shibuya, Tokyo, the adorable business is still there almost four years later. The space was pleasant and cozy, no red flags in sight. The owners were knowledgable and passionate. They assured me the birds were fed well and exercised regularly, including designated times per day they must be taken outside. The owls were clearly their primary concern, as they set a time limit and capped how many people could be in the owls’ room at a time. I definitely recommend this cafe specifically.

It was a life-affirming experience. Sure, there are some disingenuous business owners out there, but by and large, I believe animal cafes are a novel endeavor. At the end of the day, you can only do your best. Trust your gut and judge for yourself if a shop seems clean and the animals seem happy and healthy. If a cafe has extensive literature about the animals and their conservation, or even adoption forms in some cases, that is also a good sign. Just try to support the best business you can and have fun while you’re at it!