A Relaxing Day to Get Smoothed at “Animal Cafes” Within Walking Distance from Shinjuku Station

In Japan where many apartments prohibit residents to have pets, animal cafes allowing visitors to have a cozy time with animals are pretty popular. In Shinjuku area, you’ll find many of them including cat cafes, and some of them offer long-hour plans so that you can have an intimate time with your favorite animal all day long. In this issue, let’s take a look at 3 animal cafes that are easily accessible on foot from Shinjuku Station.

“HAGU CAFE”, an animal cafe allowing you to play with adorable hedgehogs and degus

If you want to have an intimate time with small animals that are becoming more and more popular, hedgehogs and degus, just head to “HAGU CAFE”, in which you can lift 2 to 3 hedgehogs and degus in your arms. Though hedgehogs look a bit dangerous, one’s belly is so soft and warm. You can of course take a lot of cute photos with them and brag about your rare experience on social media. As hedgehogs are said not to get used to humans easily, this cafe should be an ideal place to get to know what it’s like to be with one, especially for those who are considering welcoming one as a pet. Because it is a really popular place and might be fully occupied depending on the time you visit, do make a reservation through its official site before heading to it.

Opening Hours	Noon – 8:00PM / Irregular holidays *Priority for visitors with reservations
Admission	1,200 yen for 30 minutes / 2,200 yen for an hour (incl. a beverage)
Address	KK Bldg. 4th floor, 1-27-3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 6-minute walk from East Gate of Shinjuku Station Hotel Gracery Shinjuku: A 4-minute walk from the hotel Shinjuku Washington Hotel: Get on Shinjuku WE Bus at the hotel, get off it at West Gate of Shinjuku Station and walk for 6 minutes
URL	https://hagucafe.com/

Over 100 types of exotic lizards and snakes await at “Reptile Cafe Reputoru”

“Reptile Cafe Reputoru” (爬虫類カフェらぷとる) is a cafe with a large number of reptiles more than in 100 kinds. Not only monitor lizards, iguanas and lovely turtles but also other kinds that look very strange enough to give you goosebumps await. As reptiles are easy to live with as pets, the number of women having one is increasing in Japan. At this cafe, because you can see truly rare reptiles that you normally cannot even browse in standard pet stores, find your own way to spend the time with them. Some take photos while having a snake on their necks, and some enjoy feeding monitor lizards. If you have found a specific kind you want to adopt as a pet, or just wonder how it is to live with one, consult with employees. They are really familiar with the information you need.

Opening Hours	5:00PM – Midnight (opens till 2:00AM on Fridays, Saturdays and days before national holidays) / Irregular holidays
Admission	500 yen for 10 minutes / 2,000 for an hour (incl. a beverage)
Address	Shinjuku Konuma Bldg. 202, 2-17-10 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 12-minute walk from East Gate of Shinjuku Station Hotel Gracery Shinjuku: A 9-minute walk from the hotel Shinjuku Washington Hotel: A 5-minute walk from Higashi Shinjuku Station which is 2 stations away from Tochomae Station
URL	https://reptiles-cafe.com/

“CAT CAFE MOCHA Shinjuku”, one of Japan’s largest cat cafes where you want to spend a whole day relaxing

“CAT CAFE MOCHA Shinjuku” (猫カフェモカラウンジ新宿店) is a place where you can relax while taking a leisurely look at adorable cats playing innocently, and there are more than 30 cats of various breeds such as Scottish Fold and Munchkin. As Wi-Fi, power supply, manga and magazines are provided, you can truly make yourself at home regardless of whom you visit with. As long as your schedule is flexible, visit to stay at 10:30AM or 7:30PM when the cats are to be fed. They look even much more adorable when they are lined up and are not caring anything but eating. In case you want to take cute shots of them, don’t forget to use cat toys to attract their attention. Also, you can get closer to them when they are asleep. If you are into taking shots of funny faces of them, have a low-angle and up close.

Opening Hours	10:00AM – 8:00PM / Open all year round
Admission	220 yen for 10 minutes (additional 55 yen applies on busy days) / 2,640 yen for maximum charge (additional 330 yen applies on busy days) *Additional 385 yen for self-service all-you-can-drink beverage
Address	Shinjuku Pegasus Bldg. 6th floor, 3-31-5 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 3-minute walk from East Gate of Shinjuku Station Hotel Gracery Shinjuku: A 12-minute walk from the hotel Shinjuku Washington Hotel: A 15-minute walk from the hotel
URL	https://catmocha.jp/shinjuku/