Last Updated on 27 December 2025 by Vanessa
Welcome to Nekobiyaka, the only cat café in Japan dedicated to black cats!
Nestled in the heart of Himeji, this exclusive feline haven used to host a diverse range of cat breeds and colors but underwent a remarkable transformation and reopened as a black cat specialty café.
Here’s everything you need to know before you visit.
Nekobiyaka: Japan’s only cat café dedicated to black cats 🐾🖤
What is a cat café?
A cat café blends two great things: a cozy café and a cat shelter. The idea started in Taiwan in the late 1990s. It quickly took off in Japan, where it became a cultural phenomenon.
At a cat café, guests enjoy coffee, tea, and snacks just like at a regular café. The difference is the cats. A group of friendly, adorable cats lives in the space and sets the mood. These cats steal the spotlight and help create a calm, welcoming atmosphere.
Cat cafés exist to give people a relaxed place to spend time with cats. This setup works especially well for people who cannot have pets at home. Small apartments, busy schedules, or allergies often stand in the way.
Many cat cafés also support animal welfare. They often partner with local shelters or rescue groups. These cafés provide temporary homes for stray or abandoned cats. The cats get socialization and daily attention from visitors, which improves their chances of finding permanent homes.
Designers carefully plan the café environment to protect the cats and keep guests comfortable. Clear rules guide visitor behavior. Guests should not wake sleeping cats, use flash photography, or handle the animals roughly. Staff prioritize health and cleanliness. Cats receive regular veterinary care, and the café follows strict sanitation practices.
Today, cat cafés are appearing all over the world.
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Why black cats?
Black cats have been the subject of various superstitions and beliefs throughout history.
They are often associated with luck, mystery, and magic, and they have captured the imagination of people across cultures.
In ancient Egypt, black cats were revered and considered symbols of good fortune. But in medieval Europe, they became linked to witchcraft and the supernatural. This is the reason why black cats are still being associated with Halloween.
Black is also a common coat color found in such breeds as the Bombay, British Shorthair, Oriental Shorthair, Maine Coon, and Scottish Fold.
Dark-coated cats owe their fur to a high concentration of a pigment called eumelanin. This pigment also gives them with a unique genetic advantage, because the same gene that governs black coat color also enhances their immune system.
Given these remarkable qualities, it was inevitable that a cat café exclusively devoted to black cats would emerge sooner or later.
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Welcome to Nekobiyaka Cat Café
Nekobiyaka is the world’s first—and only—black cat café.
You’ll find it near Himeji’s central station, right along the route to the city’s most famous attraction, Himeji Castle.
When we visited, six energetic black cats ruled the space. They sprinted across the room, jumped through the air, and even played an intense game of fetch. Their boundless energy made us joke about whether someone had slipped them a little catnip.
The cats
Telling black cats apart can be tricky, and Nekobiyaka handles this brilliantly.
Each cat wears a bandana in a different color. This simple detail makes it easy for guests to recognize their favorites. The café even builds the bandana color into each cat’s name, which adds a fun and memorable touch.
To help visitors get to know the cats better, the café provides a small booklet. It includes photos of every cat, along with their names and birthdays.
The interior
Nekobiyaka’s interior feels like a warm, lived-in living room rather than a commercial café.
The design creates a relaxed and welcoming vibe. Large windows overlook one of Himeji’s busy shopping streets, giving you something pleasant to watch between cat encounters.
Soft background music plays throughout your visit. The café mixes easy-listening tracks with music-box versions of well-known songs, which adds to the calm atmosphere.
The menu keeps things simple. The café serves coffee and soft drinks starting at ¥400.
For guests who want something stronger, alcoholic drinks start at ¥600.
While the cats enjoy plenty of attention from visitors, the café does not sell cat treats.
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Practical Information
If Nekobiyaka has caught your interest, here’s some helpful information to make planning your visit easier:
Operating hours
Nekobiyaka is open from Monday to Saturday, from 12:00 pm to 09:00 pm. On Sundays, the café closes at 07:00 pm.
Please note that the café is closed on Tuesdays.
Entrance fee
There is a cover charge of Y1000 for the first hour. This ensures that you can spend quality time with the cats during 60 minutes.
Address
Nekobiyaka Cat Café, Himeji, Hiyogo, Ekimaecho 322, Mifune Bldg. 2F, Japan.
Getting there
Nekobiyaka is very close to JR Himeji Station, so the best way to get there is by train. Sanyo Himeji Station is also nearby. The café is about a five-minute walk from either one.
From JR Himeji Station, leave through the Central Exit and turn right. Walk toward the covered shopping arcade and keep going straight through it. When you reach the traffic light at the end, turn left. Look for the Mifune Building with a cosmetics shop on the first floor. Nekobiyaka is on the second floor.
You can also take a bus from the Himeji Station bus terminal, but it’s honestly slower than walking. If you do, take a Shinki Bus heading toward the Hiyogo area and get off at Hiyogo Yubinkyoku-mae. From there, it’s a longer walk to Ekimaecho Street and the Mifune Building.
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Don’t forget to visit Himeji Castle
Nekobiyaka’s location makes it a perfect stop on the way to or from Himeji Castle. 🐈⬛
This is one of Japan’s most iconic and well-preserved castles. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It’s nicknamed the “White Heron Castle” due to its elegant white exterior and dates back to the 17th century.
📍 It’s best to book your guided tour and tickets for Himeji Castle well in advance, as they sell out fast and spots fill up quickly.
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Conclusion
Nekobiyaka offers a quiet, welcoming space where black cats are the main focus. You’ll quickly forget about all the superstitions as you soon as you spend time with these playful, affectionate cats.
If you want a low-key place to unwind or simply enjoy the company of cats, Nekobiyaka fits perfectly. When you’re in Himeji, it’s a simple, rewarding stop that offers something a little different.
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