What should I check when choosing an animal cafe in Japan?

Whether a registration number is shown, how the animals rest, whether a vet is mentioned, whether each animal is shown as an individual, and whether the cafe says what it won't do.

What is googoo's registration number?

Exhibition 23-Tokyo-To-Ten-No.103430 and sales 24-Tokyo-To-Han-No.103430, registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

How to Choose an Animal Cafe Five things to check online before you go

Published 8 October 2026 ／ Meerkat Cafe googoo, Kichijoji, Tokyo

From the outside, you can't see how an animal cafe treats its animals. Prices and locations are easy to find; how the animals are cared for usually isn't. This page is not about judging other cafes — it gives you five things you can check yourself, online, before you go.

1. Is a registration number shown?

In Japan, businesses that handle animals need a Type 1 Animal Handling Business registration, and it must be displayed in the shop. It should also appear on the cafe's website. If you can see the registration number, the name of the person responsible for animal handling and the type of registration, the cafe is operating in the open. Ours: exhibition 23-Tokyo-To-Ten-No.103430 ／ sales 24-Tokyo-To-Han-No.103430 (registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government).

2. Do they say how the animals rest?

Time with people takes energy for animals. Look for things like rest outside opening hours, a system so the same animal isn't out all day, or a note that they change which animals come out depending on how they are. “You can always touch them” leaves no room for the animals' side.

3. Do they mention a vet?

Few vets can treat animals like meerkats. A cafe that says which clinic it works with has prepared a route for emergencies. We work with a clinic that treats exotic animals — see our welfare policy.

4. Do they show each animal as an individual?

A cafe with a page listing each animal by name and describing it is one that sees them as individuals.

5. Do they say what they won't do?

A cafe that writes down what it declines has drawn real lines. For example, at googoo we change how the meerkats meet guests depending on the day, and we don't turn meerkats around or hold them in place for photos.

If you can't tell, ask

If something isn't clear online, ask the cafe directly before you book. We're happy to answer questions about how we care for our meerkats.

Book in English — no LINE or app needed. More: Our welfare policy ／ Your first visit ／ How to spend 30 minutes

Questions

What should I check when choosing an animal cafe in Japan?: Whether a registration number is shown, how the animals rest, whether a vet is mentioned, whether each animal is shown as an individual, and whether the cafe says what it won't do.
Do animal cafes in Japan need to be registered?: Yes. Businesses that handle animals need a Type 1 Animal Handling Business registration, and it must be displayed in the shop.
What is googoo's registration number?: Exhibition 23-Tokyo-To-Ten-No.103430 and sales 24-Tokyo-To-Han-No.103430, registered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
What if I can't find this information online?: Ask the cafe directly before you book.