Ito Nyāgo Refuge Café

The Ito Nyāgo Refuge Café operates as a protected cat café and rescue facility run by the Fukuoka Animal Welfare Association, a nonprofit organization established in 2017 by Akane Ōsada. The facility represents a dedicated effort to address a critical need in Fukuoka Prefecture, where approximately 88 of the 103 dogs and cats euthanized in Itoshima City annually are felines—with more than half being kittens. Housed in Sawara Ward's Hara district, the café serves dual purposes: providing a healing space where cat lovers can interact with rescued animals while simultaneously facilitating adoption matches that prevent euthanasia. The facility maintains two separate cat rooms, each housing approximately 12-13 protected cats, allowing for organized interaction and reducing stress on individual animals. The operation reflects careful planning regarding cat welfare, with the organization maintaining that rescued cats often fear humans after abandonment and require patient, gentle exposure to regain trust.

Operating hours span 11:00-19:00 daily except Wednesdays and Thursdays, with pricing structured at 1,300 yen for adults and 800 yen for middle and elementary school children (preschoolers enter free). Unlike standard cat cafes, the Ito Nyāgo enforces strict entry protocols emphasizing cleanliness and cat welfare: visitors must disinfect hands and shoes, wear socks or stockings, and refrain from flash photography or loud noises. The facility pairs café operations with additional services including a dedicated cat hotel (5,000 yen per night for up to five cats), pet sitting services, and professional pet grooming. What distinguishes this operation is the organization's transparency regarding resource allocation—published financial statements detail how donations fund vaccinations, medical care, TNR programs (trap-neuter-return), and daily operational costs. The representative actively pursues an ambitious long-term vision: establishing a large-scale shelter modeled on Germany's Tierschutz system to eliminate regional euthanasia practices entirely.

Visitor testimonials emphasize the exceptional affection displayed by cats at this facility, with multiple reviews noting that cats approach visitors spontaneously and readily accept physical affection. One guest with cats at home remarked that the rescued animals' willingness to be touched and sit on laps exceeded expectations, describing the experience as deeply healing. The professional cleanliness impressed multiple reviewers, with none reporting the typical strong odor associated with facilities housing many cats. Staff members demonstrate genuine care for individual animals, discussing each cat's history and readiness for adoption. The organization prioritizes matching cats with families who will commit to lifelong care, including reviewing medical history, living situations, and household composition to prevent repeat abandonments.