Located in Iwaki, Fukushima, Ohana Protection Cat Salon operates as a dedicated rescue cat cafe managed by LYSTA, an animal welfare organization founded in 2011 in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The cafe launched in 2017 with a mission to increase opportunities for protected cats to find families while raising public awareness about rescue animals. Ohana, which means "family" in Hawaiian, now maintains approximately 40 cats at its original salon location, with a second facility—Ohana Shelter—opened in 2023 housing around 100 protected cats seeking adoption. LYSTA continuously cares for roughly 170 dogs and cats across its operations, spending over ¥1.3 million monthly on their welfare.
The salon creates an intimate space where visitors interact with rescue cats in a comfortable, clean environment designed to help prospective adopters understand each cat's personality. The animals are noticeably affectionate and human-socialized, readily approaching visitors and settling into laps during visits. Guests described spontaneous moments of connection—cats with tails intertwined, following visitors from room to room, and sleeping peacefully on unfamiliar laps within minutes of meeting. The bright, orderly space reflects meticulous care standards, and staff members demonstrate genuine dedication to the cats' wellbeing, making the adoption process feel personal and thoughtful.
Visitors benefit from flexible pricing at ¥1,200 per hour with ¥500 extensions for every 30 minutes, allowing cats to receive proper attention without rushed sessions. Cat treats are available for ¥500 per portion—described as generous servings sufficient to feed all 37+ cats at the salon. The location near Spa Resort Hawaiians (the filming location for the film "Hula Girl") makes the cafe accessible to tourists exploring the region, and reviewers noted that staff explicitly welcome visitors who cannot adopt but wish to support rescue efforts or simply spend time with cats. The presence of a donation box at the counter reflects the organization's transparency about operational costs and its openness to community support. Those visiting both Ohana locations can use a punch card system to receive a ¥500 discount at the second location on the same day.
保護猫
¥1,200
