At Neko Yado Research, we classify the distance to resident cats into A, B, and C. This is not a recommended ranking or star rating, but a brief comparison of “where and how there is a basis to meet.”
- A | Resident cats may come to the guest room
- B | Interaction inside the inn or in dedicated spaces
- C｜Meet the resident cat (interaction unconfirmed)
- Why three levels?
- Basis for Classification
- Examples where it is difficult to decide at the boundary
- When the classification changes
- Actual Judgment Procedure
- Response to Guest Preferences
- Correction and Re-evaluation
- A Request to Readers
- Summary
- Related Guides
A | Resident cats may come to the guest room
This classification is one where we can confirm cases where resident cats have come to the guest room through official information, specific accommodation information currently available for reference, or on-site research.
A does not mean “always comes,” “all cats come,” or “comes every day.” We do not classify as A mechanisms that are separate from the resident cat’s free visits to the guest room, such as same-room experiences with cats available for adoption.
B | Interaction inside the inn or in dedicated spaces
While it is possible to confirm interaction in common areas, cat-only rooms, or during designated times, resident cat guest-room visits cannot be confirmed.
Even when interaction is possible, not everything—such as cuddling, treats, or photography—is necessarily permitted. Prioritize the cat’s and the inn’s guidance on the day of your stay.
C｜Meet the resident cat (interaction unconfirmed)
While the cat’s presence and living in the inn can be confirmed, this classification means that the location and method where guests can interact with the cat cannot be confirmed. C does not mean the cat is not used to people or has low appeal.
Why three levels?
Simply listing inns that have cats can create mismatched expectations between travelers who expect to wait for cats in their guest room and inns where guests can only see the cats. Detailed numerical ratings, meanwhile, would treat the cats’ changing daily behavior as fixed.
With three levels, we can show confirmed points of contact while leaving room for changes based on the cat’s will.
Basis for Classification
- The inn’s official website and official SNS
- Interviews with the inn or provided materials
- Specific accommodation information currently available for reference
- Guidance from local authorities and tourism associations
- Booking websites and travelers’ accounts serve as supplementary information
We do not upgrade to A based on old secondary information only. If unclear, do not speculate; classify within the range that can be confirmed.
Examples where it is difficult to decide at the boundary
| Situation | Judgment |
|---|---|
| The resident cat is in the lobby | C if contact is unconfirmed |
| You can interact with the cat in a cat-only room | Generally B |
| Current cases where the cat has come to the guest room | A candidate |
| Staying in the same room as a cat cafe cat | Listed separately from resident cat visits |
| The cat used to come to the guest room | Do not classify as A if it cannot be confirmed now |
| Only allows cats to stay with you | Not eligible for resident cat classification |
When the classification changes
It changes due to a cat’s retirement, a change in the accessible area, new official guidance, or on-site research. A change from A to B or C is not a downgrade in rating, but an update to align with the current evidence.
Actual Judgment Procedure
Neko Yado Research judges in the following order.
- Verify current evidence that resident cats live at the inn
- Confirm the location where guests can meet the cat and the target plan
- Confirm whether interaction is explicitly stated
- Verify the current basis for the resident cat visiting the guest room
- Record the source URL and verification date, ensuring they match the main text and tags
A single photo taken in the guest room is not enough to classify as A. We verify the location is not the staff’s room, a past event, or a pet belonging to a guest staying with their pet. If the resident cat’s visits to the guest room cannot be confirmed, it is classified as B or C.
Response to Guest Preferences
| Preference | How Classification is Used | Additional Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Prioritize the possibility of a cat visiting the guest room | Start with A | Applicable guest rooms and current arrangements |
| Want to interact in the common areas | Search including B as well | Time, reservation, and prohibited items |
| It is sufficient if the cat can be seen | Include up to C | Presence and possibility of meeting |
| Need to avoid the cat | Do not decide based on A/B/C alone | Route where the cat does not enter and guest room |
There are days when guests cannot meet cats even at an A inn, and cats may approach guests even at a C inn. The classification describes arrangements confirmed before booking, not a prediction of the cats’ behavior on the day.
Correction and Re-evaluation
If hosts or readers report changes, we reassess the classification using official guidance or confirmation with the inn. We update the interaction arrangements in the article, the confirmation date, and related list articles at the same time, rather than changing only the tags. Corrections can be submitted through the contact form.
A Request to Readers
Even at inns classified as A, we do not request a visit, and even if a cat approaches at an inn classified as C, we do not touch it without permission. The cat’s signs on the day and staff explanations take precedence over the classification.
Summary
A, B, and C represent “confirmed points of contact” rather than “closeness to the cat.” Do not treat them as a quality ranking; by reading the basis and confirmation date, it becomes easier to choose an inn that can accommodate both your wishes and the cat’s life.
