Cat Cafes Actually Originated in Osaka

Japan's cat cafes, totaling approximately 300 across the nation, originated in Osaka's Nakazaki-cho district at Neko no Jikan. Founded by Yoko Yoshida in 2004, the cafe combined a calm manga cafe ambiance with cat companionship, marking the country's inaugural cat cafe. This concept quickly spread nationwide, fueled by a surge in cat-related interest, popularized by Tama, a celebrated feline stationmaster in Wakayama Prefecture.

Photographer Hajime Amaki noted a surge in cat-related assignments around a decade ago, coinciding with the rise in cat cafes from a few to roughly 300. Tama's appointment as stationmaster and subsequent popularity led to the emergence of cat merchandise and photographs, further fueling the cat boom. Professor Katsuhiro Miyamoto, an expert in the economic impact of the trend, estimated a 2.3 trillion yen economic impact from cat-related goods, services, and entertainment in 2015.

Cat cafes expanded rapidly during the same period, tracing their roots back to the first cafe in Osaka's Kita Ward in 2004. Yoshida, the cafe's founder, still operates Neko no Jikan, implementing rules such as quiet behavior and no forced interaction with the cats. The cafe serves as a space for visitors to respect the cats' independent nature while offering potential adopters a platform to connect with prospective owners.