Cat & Animal Cafe Noah's Ark is an establishment in Kyoto offering visitors interaction with various animals, including cats, ferrets, meerkats, and even a pig and raccoons. While animal cafes are a popular concept in Japan, this particular location has drawn considerable negative attention from visitors regarding its conditions.
A recurring theme in visitor reviews is the strong, unpleasant odor upon entering the cafe, often described as an overwhelming smell of animal urine. Several visitors have expressed serious concerns about the cleanliness of the facility and the welfare of the animals, with some noting that animals appeared sick or were kept in small, unsanitary enclosures. While some reviewers found the cats friendly and appreciated the presence of various species, these positive points are frequently overshadowed by hygiene and welfare issues.
Visitors should be aware of the mandatory drink order in addition to the entry fee, which is ¥1,100 for 30 minutes. Given the consistent negative feedback, it is advisable to consider alternative animal cafes in Kyoto if this type of experience is desired. There is no specific advice on what to bring or the best time to visit, as the primary concerns revolve around the fundamental conditions of the cafe itself.
The cafe is located on the second floor of the Gion Kaikan building, at Higashiyama-ku Gionmachi Kitagawa 323, Kyoto Prefecture. This area is centrally located in Gion, a well-known district in Kyoto, making it accessible by public transport. However, specific bus or train lines are not mentioned in reviews. Visitors typically navigate Gion on foot, and the cafe is likely within walking distance from major Gion landmarks and bus stops.
The most common complaints center on the strong, pervasive smell and the perceived poor conditions of the animals and their enclosures. Visitors have reported animals sneezing, ferrets fighting, and raccoons kept in small, urine-filled spaces. To mitigate these issues, the most effective advice is to avoid this particular establishment and seek out other animal cafes with better-documented standards of hygiene and animal care.
