The Cat Cafe and Final Thoughts on Japan

How can you NOT love a country who loves their animals!!!! I walked the twenty minutes to downtown Skinjuku to visit the Calico Cat Cafe where you go up to the fifth floor and take off your shoes and then wash your hands and put antibacterial soap on as well. If you are a first timer, you read 2 pages of rules on what you can and cannot do (e.g. if a cat is napping do not disturb). You  are given a badge with a time stamp and a number. Then you are escorted into this air conditioned room with a locker to put your purse in. They have 51 cats of different breeds and from all over the world.  Most are friendly and some are very typical that they do not want anything to do with you.  I was surprised at how many people were there.  The cafe has two floors the bottom is where you can order tea or coffee.  You can even buy cat treats (no outside food allowed). I thought my cat "Toes" was a big boy (at 24 lbs), but they had some Maine coons and Ragamuffins that would put my "Toes" cat to shame!! They also had a breed from America that I had never heard of or seen before, they are called Munchkins, yes very short legs. The cafe was surprisingly cleaned and with so many cats, there was absolutely no "cat" smell.  It was really quite enjoyable and at the end of an hour I paid my 1000 yen ($10.00) and said good-by to the brood of cats.  Here are some pictures:

As I was walking to the Cat Cafe this was so beautiful

One of the residents Not sure which breed

He is either the Maine Coon or Ragamuffin Huge cat!!

He knew he was a sweetie He pose for me

They were all over Perch on the stairs going to the cafe

This guy was huge and beautiful

This is the Munchkin really short legs

This cat was twice as big as the pan he's in!!

He knew he was beautiful

Waiting for someone to wash their hands to get a drink!!

Downtown Shinjuku part of Tokyo

Cemetery on the way back to my hostel

The grounds are beautiful at the Cemetery

I am in a hotel now at the airport as I leave for Beijing at 6:45 am tomorrow morning and I wanted to make sure that I am there on time.  I have really enjoyed being in Japan and I would definitely come back if the opportunity arises.  The people here are so humble and helpful it is so refreshing.  The whole country is so clean and they have signs on the street where smoking is against the law and there are designated areas that smoking is allowed.  Even in restaurants, the smoking area is enclosed.  As I said before, they are so environmentally conscious that EVERYTHING is recycled.  The public transportation is amazing and pretty easy to follow.  The stations are overwhelming and very confusing but there is always someone that will help you out.  I got to experience Mt. Fuji, and Tokyo, plus a typhoon and this morning at 4 am an earthquake. At first I thought it was the person in the top capsule bouncing but then I realize there wasn't anyone on the top and it was an earthquake. It was centered in Fukushima about 120 miles from Tokyo and it was 6.8 magnitude quake.  How lucky could one get to be in a typhoon and an earthquake all in one week!! There is so much to see and do here, I would definitely visit other areas if I come back. It is expensive but you can do it reasonably (like staying in hostels and most hostel has a kitchen where you can cook your own meals) and you can find local restaurants for about $10-12 a meal. Transportation is expensive so be prepared.  It is better to get passes then to pay individually. But it is still worth coming here.  My next stop China!!!!

Life Challenge: People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.... John C. Maxwell