Kyoto:Ethical Cat Retreat & Matcha Whisking (Private/Shared) Private 90 min (1–6 guests) — Group price

Ethical rescue-cat retreat for travelers who avoid typical animal cafés, set in a traditional wooden Kyoto townhouse. Quiet, small-group time with rescued cats, mindfully whisking your own matcha.
Step into a preserved traditional wooden townhouse in Kyoto, tucked away from the busy streets, and spend unhurried time with eight rescued cats. This is not a typical “petting-style” cat café – it is an ethical, quiet retreat for travelers who care about animal welfare and prefer a calm, mindful experience.

The cats who live here were rescued from difficult environments and now enjoy a safe, happy life. The focus is not profit or entertainment, but their wellbeing. They are free to behave as they wish: some may come to sit nearby, others may nap in the sun or watch quietly from a window. Simply sharing the room with them brings a sense of calm and balance, letting you experience Kyoto at a slower rhythm.

The townhouse itself is part of the charm. With wooden interiors and soft natural light, it reflects the simple beauty of Kyoto’s architecture. There are two ways to visit: a Private option, where up to six people have the space to themselves, and a Shared option, also limited to six guests in total. In both cases, the atmosphere is intimate and never crowded, more like visiting a small private home than a commercial café.

During the retreat you will also enjoy a small but meaningful cultural experience. Using a bamboo whisk, you will make your own bowl of matcha, paired with a cat-shaped Japanese sweet. The act of preparing tea is simple and calming, and no tea-ceremony knowledge is required. It is a mindful moment that pairs with the quiet presence of the cats.

To help you communicate gently with the cats, we provide a small amount of safe treats. For their health, the type and quantity are carefully controlled by the host, and we do not sell extra treats as many other cafés do. This keeps interaction voluntary and balanced, so the cats are never over-stimulated or over-fed.

At the end of your visit, you will receive an original Utanekodo postcard – a reminder of the time you shared with the cats and of the support you gave to their care. Your visit fee directly helps fund their food, veterinary treatment, and the upkeep of a safe, comfortable home, creating a positive cycle between guests and the cats.

What makes this retreat unique is its ethical philosophy. Here, cats are not entertainers or props, but beings whose quiet existence deserves respect. By sitting with them, guests are invited to remember things often forgotten in daily life – how to slow down, breathe, and simply “be.”

This retreat is ideal for travelers who want a peaceful pause between sightseeing, for cat lovers who value animal welfare, and for anyone seeking a deeper, more thoughtful cultural encounter in Kyoto. It is a mindful experience where tradition, compassion, and serenity come together, and where your own rest is directly connected to the happiness of rescued cats.

Please note: this is a quiet retreat. Guests are asked to respect the calm atmosphere, and interaction with the cats should always be natural, gentle, and on the cats’ terms.

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