Cat Cafe JaLaLa: Tokyo, Japan

Contact Information

Address: 〒101-0021 Tōkyō-to, Chiyoda-ku, Sotokanda, 3 Chome−３−５−５ 末広町ハイム

Phone:  +81 3-3258-2525

Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 - 20:00

Entrance Fee: Y550/1100/1650 for 30/60/90 minutes; drink required (Y350-550)

Ratings

Website / Social Media

Website: nekojalala.com

Facebook: 

Instagram: 

Twitter: @nekojalala

Cat vs Cafe (80/20)

Mamma Mia:  Review of Cat Cafe JaLaLa

We dropped by over 50 cat cafes in Japan and I was hoping the last place we visited would be memorable.

It was, but not in the way I hoped it would.

Cat Cafe JaLaLa is a small place with lots of cats, some of them extraordinarily beautiful.  Unfortunately, there are too many for the space which made the experience uncomfortable for me.

Located a short distance from Akihabara station, ABBA music was playing and the smell of cat urine stung my eyes as I entered the lobby.  Concerned, but determined to give it a fair shot, I paid Y550 ($4.90) for 30 minutes plus Y350 ($3.12) for an iced tea (purchase of a drink is required). 

The space was crowded and cluttered as I stepped over people, cats and objects on my way to a quiet corner near the drink window.  Once settled, I began to observe cats and patrons and was shocked to count 19 felines, seemingly way too many considering the size of the room.  There were a couple of rambunctious Abyssinians that raced about, and several long-haired Maine Coons, including an enormous male named Coo with an entourage of admirers surrounding him. 

For the most part, the kitties seemed happy and content as did the patrons, a mix of tourists and regulars, including one older woman who smiled from ear to ear as she fed a couple of her favorites from her hand. Definitely in her happy place!

While JaLaLa gets decent marks for pretty, happy cats and decent drinks, the claustrophobic atmosphere and odor problem prevents me from offering a higher score or strong recommendation to visit.

Date Visited:  6/17/17