Rescue Cat Cafe Nekonowa

Located in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Rescue Cat Cafe Nekonowa uniquely combines B-type employment support services for disabled workers with rescue cat cafe operations. Opened as Yamaguchi prefecture's first integrated dual-model facility, Nekonowa enables workers to gain stable employment, build job skills, and interact with rescue cats while supporting animal welfare. The facility philosophy emphasizes three core values: "touching kindness, birthing work, connecting lives"—creating healing environments for both human visitors and rescue felines through meaningful employment opportunities.

The young rescue cat population (predominantly April to November 2024 births) includes named personalities: Kurumi the shop manager (exceptionally friendly, loves to play), Kuu (affectionate and food-loving), Hana (tsundere, well-behaved), Mikke (shy but petting-loving and clingy), Yuki (playful despite timidity), and Sakura (adult mother cat who nursed five kittens, playful but dislikes holding). Reviewers consistently praised staff attentiveness—one pre-opening visitor described being offered comfortable waiting space when cat-to-visitor ratio suggested reduced interaction quality, highlighting staff commitment to feline welfare over convenience. Multiple guests noted "very clean" facilities and "joyful-seeming cats," alongside recognition of "warm, gentle" staff creating welcoming atmosphere. The integration of employment support makes visitor fees directly support disabled worker incomes.

Hours: 11:00–19:00 daily (extended to 20:00 Wednesdays); closed Tuesdays (other irregular closures possible). Pricing: ¥1,000/hour adults, ¥500/hour children; extensions ¥500 per 30 min (adult), ¥250 per 30 min (child). Free toy rental. Socks required. Class 1 animal handling license (#50700-22, #50700-21). Parking: 2 spaces front; 2 spaces 1-min walk; 4 spaces 3-min walk (total 8 available). Adoption: trialing kittens actively placed (recent April 26 adoption of littermates, April 23 formal adoption of bonded pair). Employment support program (B-type facility) for disabled individuals seeking work. Access: 9 min walk from JR Sanyo Honsen Hataoike Station; 4 min walk from Sanden Transit "Yamanota Danchi-mae" bus stop. Address: 7-25 Yamanota Higashimachi, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi (〒751-0834). Contact: 083-242-5772.