Wan Nyan Chu I: Kyoto, Japan

Contact Information

Address: 〒604-8041 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, 中京区蛸薬師通新京極東入裏寺町595−3

Phone:  +81 75-241-9939

Hours:M-F 11:00 - 19:00, S/S 11:00-20:00 

Entrance Fee: Y1000/30 min, Y1400/hr (drink inc)

Ratings

Website / Social Media

Website: balu.jp

Facebook: cafe wan nyan chu

Instagram: 

Twitter: @wannyanchu

Cat vs Cafe (90/10)

Beautiful Faces, Unfortunate Spaces: Review of Wan Nyan Chu I

Wan Nyan Chu has two stores and this one is the original, located on the busy tourist street, Takoyakushi Dori.  As a result, it was crowded the day I visited, and I suspect we were all first time visitors as I can't imagine anyone making a second trip here.

The cats are friendly and beautiful, which is the only saving grace of a facility that is so bad, it is distressing.  The smell of urine overwhelms when you first walk in the door and while I usually get used to it in a few minutes, my eyes watered the entire 30 minutes I was inside.  Part of the reason is that the room is so small, with too many cats, about ten, and space for the same amount of people.  Additionally, it is quite run down with ripped carpets and past-their-prime surfaces.  

I enjoyed watching two young cats chase each other and admired two others with gorgeous long coats while old-fashioned squeeze box music serenaded the patrons.  I sipped my iced tea, which was free with the entrance fee, and nicely presented by staff who are a bit shy, but pleasant.  

While there are several positive aspects to Wan Nyan Chu I, it isn't enough to overcome to troubling state of the cafe itself.

Date Visited:  6/13/17