Bird Cafés in Japan Draw Crowds, Especially Women

In major Japanese cities, a growing number of women are skipping traditional cafés in favor of spaces where they can sip drinks while interacting with live birds. These so-called "bird cafés" have seen a surge in popularity over the past year, with some locations reporting that up to 80% of their guests are female. What’s behind this avian attraction—and why are women making it a social staple?

Yes, roughly 80% of bird café customers in Japan are women. The main draw? Petting and watching colorful birds like cockatiels and budgerigars, which many find soothing. Many cafés also offer free or low-cost interaction days—often Thursdays—that draw consistent, repeat female clientele.

What Is a Bird Café—and Why Are They Booming in Japan?

A bird café is a café where customers can enjoy beverages and light snacks in the company of small pet birds, typically housed in large indoor aviaries. Unlike standard petting zoos or wildlife parks, these spaces are designed for casual, indoor socializing. Japan’s bird café trend kicked off in earnest last year, led by spots like the "Bird Café Omotesando" in Tokyo, which opened in February 2023.

The Omotesando location houses 25 birds across eight species—including budgerigars (also known as parakeets) and sulphur-crested cockatoos—in a large communal aviary. The café markets itself as offering “a leisurely coffee time with birds,” blending relaxation with light interaction.

Why Are So Many Women Visiting Bird Cafés?

Women make up around 80% of the customer base at most bird cafés, according to multiple reports. Many cite the birds’ colors, movements, and sounds as deeply calming. One regular, a 30-year-old office worker from Saitama Prefecture who keeps budgies at home, says she visits to watch the larger birds. "They’re clever, and their behavior is really entertaining. Just looking at them makes me happy," she said. "I can’t keep big parrots at home, so this is my way to unwind."

Another appealing factor is the opportunity to touch and interact with the birds—often for a fee, though some cafés host weekly free petting days. These interactions create a sensory-rich experience that many women find mood-boosting and uniquely comforting.

What’s Behind the Bird Café Trend?

The trend was sparked by a pioneering bird café in Kobe, which helped ignite a nationwide wave of similar venues starting last year. According to the café’s manager, Mayuki Umekawa, the appeal comes down to the birds’ personalities. "Parrots are affectionate and their calls are soothing. It fits what people need right now," she explained. Another often-overlooked factor? Their distinctive scent. "Their body smell is a bit like flowers and nuts. Actually, a lot of bird lovers are into that," Umekawa added.

Café operator Kazue Kawabe, president of the Bird Café chain, noted that the concept went viral on bird-loving membership forums. "The response was way beyond our expectations," she said. Meanwhile, themed merchandise—like bird-patterned stationery and tableware—is also selling well, further extending the trend’s cultural footprint.

How Have Bird Ownership Trends Changed?

While bird cafés offer a taste of avian companionship, actual pet bird ownership has seen ups and downs. Hiroaki Hoshino, general manager of a Tokyo-based pet shop specializing in parrots, said that due to past avian flu outbreaks, interest in keeping birds had dropped significantly—but began rebounding two or three years ago. "Parrots are beautiful, intelligent, and don’t need walks. That makes them ideal pets for working women and elderly people," he noted.

As interest in low-maintenance yet interactive pets grows, bird cafés have tapped into a broader shift toward finding comfort and connection in unconventional, small-scale social spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are bird cafés popular in Japan?

Bird cafés in Japan are popular mainly because they offer a relaxing, interactive experience with colorful, chirping birds like budgies and cockatoos. Many visitors, especially women, find the presence and sounds of the birds soothing, making these cafés a calming social alternative to traditional coffee shops.

What percentage of bird café customers in Japan are women?

About 80% of bird café customers in Japan are women. They are drawn to the experience of petting and watching birds, which many find mentally refreshing and enjoyable.

Which bird species are commonly found in Japanese bird cafés?

Common species include budgerigars (parakeets), sulphur-crested cockatoos, and cockatiels. For example, Tokyo’s Omotesando bird café houses 25 birds from eight different species, including both smaller parakeets and larger cockatoos.

Do you have to pay to touch the birds in these cafés?

Many bird cafés charge a fee for hands-on bird petting, but some locations offer free interaction days—often weekly on Thursdays—to attract visitors and allow guests to experience the birds up close without additional cost.

Why are women the majority of visitors to bird cafés?

Women make up the majority of visitors because they often seek out calming, aesthetically pleasing experiences. The birds’ intelligence, colors, and gentle chirping are particularly appealing, and many women enjoy the tactile and visual experience without the long-term commitment of pet ownership.

Are bird cafés contributing to more people keeping pet birds?

While bird cafés themselves don’t directly lead to increased pet ownership, they reflect and may inspire greater interest in birds as companion animals. Some visitors may later consider keeping pet birds at home, especially species like budgies that are easier to care for.