The Cat's Door

Reopened May 3, 2026, following renovation, The Cat's Door in Inagawa, Hyogo uniquely combines shelter operations with dermatologist-supervised (Hayashi Skin Clinic) health-conscious cafe dining. The facility's mission emphasizes supporting rescue cat activities while providing medically-supervised fermented living food cuisine (gluten-free, vegan options). The dual-purpose model generates cafe revenue to support ongoing rescue operations while creating adoption-matching spaces where visitors observe protected cats' authentic daily behaviors in semi-natural settings.

The shelter cat population consists of newly renovated staff cats (all brothers from Ehime Prefecture, recently arrived and undergoing staff training) alongside named personalities: Dango (shop manager hand-raised from bottle-feeding stage, showing exceptionally human-bonded affection), Char-chan (female from Awaji Island, giving birth at 9 months with subsequent kitten adoption; touchable but prefers minimal holding), and unnamed adult male from Osaka Taisho Ward (calm and holdable). Separately, five kittens with HIV carrier status remain in owner's home during medical stabilization before potential cafe debut; reviews anticipated full integration. Reviewers consistently praised gluten-free cuisine—one guest described vegan/gluten-free lunch as "full volume, delicious, health-conscious dining raising QOL." Multiple visitors highlighted exceptional rice-flour churros (described as "mochi-mochi amazing texture"), vegan cheesecake, beautiful interior design (especially bathroom facilities noted as "incredibly aesthetic space"), and staff warmth. One reviewer noted efficient system: lunch → cat interaction (~15 min per group) flow.

Hours: 11:00–17:00; closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays. Pricing (cat interaction requires lunch/cafe minimum order): Lunch sets ¥1,980 (Natto koji, Health Curry, limited Kabu & Mushroom stew); Cake set ¥1,200; Churro set ¥1,000 (rice-flour: paw-ball ¥500, kitten ¥500, stick ¥450). Drinks: Coffee ¥500, Cafe Latte/Cappuccino ¥600, Matcha Latte/Cocoa/Choco Chino ¥600, Tea varieties ¥700. Vegan cake (daily) ¥800. Cat interaction: ~15 min per group following meal (cat health may reduce duration). Gluten-free 100%, vegan-friendly dining philosophy. Dermatologist supervision ensures medical-grade nutrition. 5 HIV-carrier kittens in foster care (at owner's home, not cafe) seeking adoptive families (conditions apply). Parking available. Reservation recommended via website/Instagram. Address: Kaijiri-241-1 Kitatahara, Inagawa, Kawabe District, Hyogo (〒666-0236). Phone: 050-1261-0698. Instagram: @nekonotobira0505.