Japanese Cat Cafés Allowed to Stay Open Until 10 PM

In major Japanese cities, cat cafés have become a quiet refuge for people seeking feline companionship over coffee. But a national crackdown on late-night pet-related businesses threatened to shut these cozy spaces down by 8 PM — cutting into peak hours and threatening their survival.

The Japanese government has now made an exception: cat cafés can stay open until 10 PM, but only if the cats are all at least one year old and allowed to roam freely inside the café.

Why the Original Ban Threatened Cat Cafés

Under Japan’s Animal Welfare and Management Act, pet shops — including those where animals are not for sale but are interacted with, like cat cafés — were required to close between 8 PM and 8 AM. This rule aimed to protect animals from late-night disturbances and ensure rest periods. For cat cafés, which often see the most foot traffic in the evening, the restriction meant losing critical business hours and risking closure.

How Patrons Pushed Back

Regular visitors argued that cats, being naturally nocturnal, don’t necessarily need the same early bedtime as humans — or the law assumed. Many patrons felt the early closing time didn’t align with either the cats’ behavior or customer demand, prompting a formal request to reconsider the operating hours.

What Changed? The New Rules Explained

Following a review by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, a compromise was reached. Cat cafés may now remain open until 10 PM under two key conditions: all cats in the café must be older than one year, and they must be permitted to move about the space freely. These rules aim to ensure both feline well-being and a safe, comfortable environment for customers during extended hours.

What Happens Next? A Two-Year Review Period

This adjusted policy is temporary. The Ministry of the Environment has stated it will monitor the effects of extended hours on the cats’ health and behavior over the next two years. Based on findings, further adjustments or permanent regulations may be introduced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can all cat cafés in Japan now stay open until 10 PM?

No. Only cafés where all cats are at least one year old and allowed to roam freely inside the café may extend their hours to 10 PM. Newer or younger cats, or those kept in restricted areas, do not qualify under the current exemption.

Why were cat cafés originally forced to close at 8 PM?

Under Japan’s Animal Welfare and Management Act, all pet-related businesses — including cat cafés — were required to close between 8 PM and 8 AM to ensure animals received proper rest. This rule affected late-night operations and reduced business viability for many cafés.

What conditions must cat cafés meet to stay open until 10 PM?

To qualify for the extended hours, a cat café must ensure all cats are older than one year and are free to move about the café without confinement. These measures are intended to safeguard both the cats’ welfare and customers’ experience.

How long will the 10 PM rule be in effect?

The current allowance for cat cafés to operate until 10 PM is temporary. The Ministry of the Environment plans to assess the impact on the cats over the next two years before deciding whether to make the rule permanent or adjust it further.

Do the cats have to be a specific breed to stay open late?

No, the breed of the cats does not matter. The determining factors are the cats’ age (must be over one year old) and their ability to roam freely within the café, not their breed or origin.

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