During my trip to Japan, I was so excited to finally check out the Neko Cafes I’d heard so much about. I already have a cat at home, but a cafe filled with cats? I couldn't resist! A while after I got back, the Café des Chats opened its doors in Paris. The cat lover in me had no choice but to go test it out and compare…
First experience: Cat Cafe Nekokaigi in Kyoto
You’ll find the cafe in a rather nondescript building, you’ll even see a little paw print drawing in the elevator to let you know which floor to get off on. Upon arrival, they explain the rules (wash your hands, take off your shoes, no flash photography, don't feed them, etc.) before assigning you a locker to stash your personal belongings.
Prices are based on the time you spend in the cafe, on top of the cost of any drinks you order. You then head into the main room, a large, open space with futons along the walls and big cat trees on rugs in the middle. It’s a great setup because you have a clear view of the whole room, and therefore, all the 
cats.
It felt a bit strange at first; we were watching the other people there… a woman who seemed like a regular, with a blanket on her lap and what looked like her "usual" cat. A young couple who didn't get too close to the felines but seemed amused just watching them. And then there were my aunt and me, getting snubbed by the cats, much to our despair. Indeed, out of respect for the cats, you can't chase them or pick them up "by force." So, we armed ourselves with patience, and a toy, in hopes of grabbing their attention. Patience pays off, and we were soon well-surrounded.
People who aren't into cats might find the concept a bit silly, but personally, I was thrilled! I really appreciated that the cafe had a binder with a "profile" for each cat, so you could learn who they were and where they came from. The place is quiet and relaxing, the cat cuddles are soothing, and it’s a great way to recharge in the middle of a busy trip! In short, I was completely charmed.
Second experience: Cafe Maneki-Neko in Hiroshima
I was happy to try a second cat cafe because I realized they come in all different styles!
This cafe felt more like a traditional coffee shop or bar, with a long counter at the entrance. You’ll notice, however, that half the counter is taken over by big balls of fur! If I remember correctly, the price here was based on time spent, but included a drink.
The cafe was actually made up of four rooms of varying sizes: the entrance with the bar, a smaller room with litter boxes and a large cat tree for cats who want a bit more peace and quiet, and two other rooms furnished only with futons and cushions. A completely different vibe, 
but not bad at all.
What was great about this cafe was the diversity of the cats (the previous one had adopted siblings, so while they were cute, they all looked very similar). It was a bit trendier, with music playing and the feeling of being at a friend's house who just happens to have a lot, lot of cats! Overall, another very pleasant experience, plus a little gift on the way out (a small soy sauce dish shaped like a cat head, I believe). Nice touch!
Third Experience: Café des Chats in Paris
I have to admit that my very critical view of this cafe was heavily influenced by my visits to the two previous cafes in Japan, and I visited this one during its pre-opening, so some things may have changed since!
I’d been hearing about this cat cafe opening in Paris for a while, so I booked as soon as I could to see this local take on the Neko Cafe.
Upon arrival, we were informed of the cafe rules, which were quite similar to what I’d heard before: don't disturb sleeping cats, don't force them to be picked up, etc. However, there were no coat checks or lockers, so we kept our shoes on. That surprised me, especially on a rainy day, as we were walking in with wet shoes and dirtying the floor where the cats live (and where visitors like me want to sit down to be at the cats' level!).
We entered the 
first room (the cafe is on two floors): small square tables that give it the air of a standard cafe, with the only difference being that there are just as many feline visitors as human ones! We were seated in the second room in the basement, where we ordered hot chocolates and Oreo cupcakes, which were very good.
Once again, I was a bit surprised by the furniture choices, particularly the large individual armchair and the massive wooden table that really takes up a lot of space in the room… it’s a shame because it leaves less room for customers, but mostly less space to interact with the cats! I missed the good old Japanese futons that put us on the same level as the cats! I ended up sitting on the floor despite the wet shoe marks; I couldn't help myself… the call of the cats!
Conclusion of the comparison
So, my verdict… maybe a bit harsh, but I found this adaptation of the neko cafe a bit too… "cafe"! It felt more like a cafe with cats than a cat cafe, you see the nuance? The prices were quite high for the drinks (though they were very good, I have to give them that!). I would have preferred a "7 euros per hour with a drink included" pricing model; the bill would have been the same in the end, but it would have felt like paying for the cats rather than the drinks!
Anyway, I’m not going easy on this cafe because I would have preferred an adaptation more faithful to the Japanese ones. I still think it’s worth a visit for cat lovers, because not everyone has the chance to go to Japan, after all, so you might as well enjoy what’s offered locally! And without the comparison, you’ll probably enjoy it more, because at the end of the day, the cats are very cute, and that’s exactly why we go!
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