This article is a research list of inns where the conditions could be confirmed as of 2026-08-14, based on Neko Yado Research’s published individual articles and attribute audits. Please check the official information of each inn before making a reservation, as business hours, cat availability, plans, and transportation conditions may change.
For those who want to enjoy hot springs and resident cats at the same time, we have organized accommodations where you can check both hot spring facilities and contact with cats. The specifications of the hot springs and the distance from the cat will be compared separately.
Correction on 2026-10-10: Moved Masuya Ryokan in Sasaguri to an excluded comparison because a hot-spring attribute has not been confirmed, and removed the unsupported natural-hot-spring description. Separated Yufuin Lamp no Yado as a comparison with unconfirmed interaction. The original information confirmation date remains 2026-08-14.
- Criteria for posting this list
- Accommodations where conditions were confirmed
- A comparison with confirmed hot springs and unconfirmed interaction
- A comparison excluded because hot springs are unconfirmed
- Why check hot springs and cats separately
- How to read reference materials
- Please double check before booking
- Don’t squeeze too much time into hot springs and cats
- Choose from two options: hot spring axis and cat axis
- List update policy
- Summary
- Related guides
Criteria for posting this list
We will mainly list inns that have the audited “hot spring” attribute and can confirm contact points in guest rooms, common areas, and private spaces as A or B.
“You can meet cats,” “you can touch them,” and “cats sometimes come to the guest room” are different conditions. A/B/C on this site indicates the distance to the cat, and does not indicate the quality or recommendation ranking of the accommodation.
Accommodations where conditions were confirmed
Shichirigawa Onsen
Basic information
- Address: 921-1 Kiwatabata, Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture
- Distance with cat: Resident cat lives inside the inn and may spend time in the guest room or on futons.
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Features: Sulfur spring, hearth cooking, room-only stays available.
- Transportation: Due to the mountainous area, please confirm the car or transportation conditions in advance.
Features of this inn
A hot spring inn in the mountains where you can stay for the sulfur springs and resident cats. During our overnight stay interviews, we observed cats spending time in the guest room and on futons, but visits are at the cat’s discretion.
Akazawa Onsen Ryokan
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Location: 1149 Nasushiobara Shiobara, Tochigi Prefecture 329-2921
- Distance to cats: Dog and cat staff live here. Examples of public guest-room visits available
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Hot spring: Almost 100% lukewarm water directly from the source
Features of this inn
Akazawa Onsen Ryokan in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture is a hot spring inn where dog and cat staff live. Introducing accommodations where you can get close to cats, including videos of cats visiting the guest room.
Hanashinobu
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 637 Yutsubo, Kokonoe-cho, Kusu-gun, Oita Prefecture 879-4912
- Distance with cats: Likes people and may stay in the guest room
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Guest room: 5 guest rooms with a detached-annex style
- Hot springs: Multiple private indoor baths and open-air baths
Features of this inn
Hanashinobu in Sujiyu Onsen in Kokonoe Town, Oita Prefecture is a hot spring inn where the cat proprietress Kabosu sometimes spends time in the guest room. We will introduce the distance from cats, private baths, cooking, and access.
Onsen Minshuku Kaifuso
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 1803-13 Usami, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture 414-0001
- Distance with cats: They walk freely inside the inn and sometimes come to the guest room with the door slightly open.
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Guest room: 6-tatami/7.5-tatami Japanese-style room
- Hot springs: Usami Onsen, 2 private baths
Features of this inn
Onsen Minshuku Kaifuso in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture is an inn where if you open the guest room door a little to signal that cats are welcome, the resident cat that lives inside the inn will sometimes come to visit. We will introduce how to spend time with cats, hot springs, and precautions.
Kakehashi Onsen Ryokan
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 1350-3 Agematsu, Agematsu-cho, Kiso-gun, Nagano 399-5601
- Proximity to cats: 7 cats roam freely inside the inn, with 2026 guest-room visits
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Hot springs: Information on overnight stays and day trip baths available.
Features of this inn
Investigated Kakehashi Onsen Ryokan in Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture. We will introduce the seven cats who live freely inside the inn, how to interact with them, and the charms of hot springs and sightseeing in Kiso.
Kogashimaso
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 334-1-8 Kiyama, Wakasa-cho, Mikata Kaminaka-gun, Fukui 919-1301
- Distance to cat: There are current reviews that say they came to the guest room (no official guarantee)
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Guest room: 25 rooms in total, all guest rooms and lobby Wi-Fi enabled
- Features: Lake Suigetsu, natural hot springs, Wakasa cuisine
Features of this inn
Investigated Kogashimaso in Wakasa Town, Fukui Prefecture. We will introduce word-of-mouth information about encounters with cats, hot springs, and guest-room visits at a lakeside inn.
Onsen Minshuku Bokai
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 2324-2 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama 649-2211
- Distance to cats: Check current reviews to see if there are 2 cats and if they appear in the room.
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Hot spring: Kanro-no-yu, flowing directly from the source
- Meals: Seafood, pirate hotpot, etc. Room without meals and breakfast included
Features of this inn
Onsen Minshuku Bokai in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture is a long-established guesthouse where twin resident cats sometimes appear in your room. We will introduce the distance to cats, hot springs flowing directly from the source, seafood dishes, and access.
Kappo Ryokan Satsuki
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 71-7 Asamushi Hotarutani, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture 039-3501
- Distance to the cat: The landlady cat greets the guest room and may stay in the guest room.
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
Features of this inn
Kappo Ryokan Satsuki, located in Asamushi Onsen in Aomori Prefecture, is an eight-room inn where the resident cats come to greet the guest room, and the young proprietress Suzu sometimes stays in the room. We will introduce the distance from cats, food, hot springs, and things to note before making a reservation from the official information.
Takasho
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 791 Yunohira, Yufuin-cho, Oita 879-5112
- Distance to cat: With eligible plans, there is information on how to play with resident cats in the guest room.
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- guest room: 6 rooms in the main building, 8 separate rooms
Features of this inn
Takasho in Yufu, Yunohira Onsen, Oita Prefecture is a culinary inn that offers lodging plans where you can play with resident cat Koimo in the guest room. We will introduce how to spend time with cats, the guest room, and precautions.
Yamaguchiya Ryokan
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 703 Nasushiobara Shiobara, Tochigi Prefecture 329-2921
- Distance from cats: There are many current cases of multiple resident cats walking freely inside the inn and visiting guest rooms.
- Check this list: Check hot springs and points of contact where guests can meet cats
- guest room: Mainly Japanese-style rooms
- Hot springs: Separate men’s and women’s indoor and open-air baths, private baths
Features of this inn
Investigated Yamaguchiya Ryokan in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture. We will introduce how resident cats such as Mimitan visit the guest room, hot springs, food, and precautions.
Aratama Ryokan
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 2-1-13 Beppu Hamawaki, Oita Prefecture, 874-0947
- Distance to cats: You can interact with rescued cats during paid kitty time.
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Hot spring: Hamawaki Onsen
- Meals: The current guidance is mainly for overnight stays without meals. Use nearby restaurants
Features of this inn
Aratama Ryokan in Beppu, Oita Prefecture is a hot spring inn where you can interact with rescue cats living inside the inn during a paid “cat time.” We will introduce how to interact, hot springs, and things to keep in mind before making a reservation.
Himeyado Hanakazashi
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 17-1 Oyama, Nishiura-cho, Gamagori-shi, Aichi 443-0105
- Distance to cats: A resident cat may appear in the lobby. You can interact with rescued cats in a separate area
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Guest room: 16 rooms in total, 5 types, including 3 rooms with open-air baths
- Hot spring: Nishiura Onsen
Features of this inn
Himeyado Hanakazashi in Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture is a hot spring inn where the resident cat Oyakata appears in the lobby and where you can interact with rescued cats at the attached facility, Cat Inn Hanahana. We will introduce how to use it and precautions.
Villa Katsuyama Avail
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 247-2 Dairoku, Kyonan-cho, Chiba Prefecture, Awa-gun, 299-1909
- Distance to cats: Multiple resident cats live here. There is a possibility of meeting inside the inn.
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Features: Hot spring open-air bath, Southern Boso cuisine, pet-friendly guest room available
- Access: Approximately 5 minutes by car from Kyonan Yasuda IC, approximately 20 minutes walk from Awa-Katsuyama Station (confirmation required for pick-up)
Features of this inn
Investigated Tsukikage no Oka Hotel Villa Katsuyama Avail in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture. We will introduce the interaction with the resident cat Nara, the hot spring open-air bath, and things to keep in mind before staying.
Yurakutei
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 5190-2 Oyano-cho, Kami-Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture 869-3602
- Distance with cats: Can interact with cats if they approach you inside the inn
- Check this list: Check hot springs and contact points where guests can meet cats
- Guest room: Total 16 rooms
- Features: Two types of hot springs, hand-dug cave bath, Amakusa seafood cuisine
Features of this inn
Yurakutei in Kamiamakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture is a hot spring inn where the friendly resident cat Yuna lives. We will introduce the distance from cats, large cave bath, guest room, seafood dishes, and access.
Nakamuraya Ryokan
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 98 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-cho, Azuma-gun, Gunma 377-1711
- Distance to cat: resident cat “Naka Nyans”
- Check this list: Check hot springs and points of contact where guests can meet cats
- Hot springs: 5 types of private baths with free-flowing hot spring water and tatami flooring
Features of this inn
Nakamuraya Ryokan in Kusatsu Onsen is an inn near Yubatake where the resident cats “Nakanyans” welcome you. We will introduce how to spend time with cats, private baths, access, and precautions.
The order of publication is not a ranking. At each link, you can check the current information about the cat, where you can meet it, the accuracy of guest-room visits, unconfirmed items, and links to official information.
A comparison with confirmed hot springs and unconfirmed interaction
Yufuin Lamp no Yado
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 3639-1 Kawakami, Yufu Yufuin-cho, Oita 879-5102
- Distance with cat: Resident cat will welcome you, contact range is unconfirmed
- Check this list: Hot springs and resident-cat presence confirmed; the scope of interaction is unconfirmed
- Hot springs: 5 private hot springs
- Access: About a 5-minute walk from Yufuin Station
Features of this inn
Yufuin Lamp no Yado, about a 5-minute walk from Yufuin Station, is a modern Japanese hot spring inn where the resident cat Tama welcomes you. We will introduce the distance from cats, private baths, meals, and pet support.
A comparison excluded because hot springs are unconfirmed
Masuya Ryokan
Illustrative imageBasic information
- Address: 1-3-29 Chuo, Sasaguri-cho, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka 811-2417
- Distance from cats: A resident cat lives inside the inn, and a friendly cat may come to the guest room.
- Check this list: A hot-spring attribute has not been confirmed, so this inn is excluded from the eligible hot-spring comparison.
- Features: A pilgrimage inn with approximately 100 years of history on the Sasaguri pilgrimage route, located in front of the station.
- Access: About 1 minute walk from JR Sasaguri Station.
Features of this inn
Investigated Masuya Ryokan in Sasaguri Town, Fukuoka Prefecture. We will introduce the possibility of interacting with the resident cat, the possibility of visiting the guest room, the location, and things to note before making a reservation.
Why check hot springs and cats separately
We will post accommodations that have been confirmed to have information about the quality of the hot springs and baths, and where you can meet resident cats. Inns that only have “hot spring” in their name or that have had a picture of a cat posted only once in the past are not eligible. Free-flowing hot spring water, private baths, open-air baths, and bathing times are conditions on the hot spring side, and are separate from the distance from the cat shown in A/B/C. This is also not a list of what you expect the cat to do in the bath.
How to read reference materials
For information on hot spring facilities, please refer to the inn’s official guide, and for current information on cats and places where you can interact with them, please refer to the linked individual research articles. The list will also be reviewed if information on either side is updated.
Please double check before booking
- Is the resident cat still present on the desired date?
- Where and when you can meet cats, and whether you can touch them or not
- Are the conditions the same for your desired accommodation plan?
- You may not be able to meet the cat due to his rest days or physical condition.
- Latest conditions for transportation, meals, and check-in
Don’t squeeze too much time into hot springs and cats
Bathing, eating, and the times when cats go out to common areas may not overlap. Don’t ask the cat to come to the bath, and walk quietly and watch your step after bathing.
Choose from two options: hot spring axis and cat axis
If you summarize the conditions for choosing a hot spring inn and the conditions for choosing a cat inn into one score, it will be difficult to see the unconfirmed points. First, on the hot spring side, check whether the bath is a large bath, a private bath, or a guest room bath, what times you can bathe, whether it will be shared with day-trippers, and how to get to the bath. If you are concerned about the quality of the spring water and how to use the source, refer to the hot spring display at the inn or the information on the hot spring area.
Next, on the cat side, check A/B/C, locations where you can meet, convenient times to be active, and target plans. Even in accommodations where you can meet cats in the lobby, cats may rest while guests are bathing, and visits are not guaranteed even if there are instances of guest-room visits.
- Make hot springs your main purpose: Check if a cat is present at an inn that meets your desired bathing conditions.
- Make time with resident cats the main purpose: Check hot spring facilities from where you can meet A/B/C
- Requires a private bath: Check to see if the reservation slot and the time you can meet the cat overlap.
- Thinking about spa treatment and staying overnight: Check cleaning time, meals, and restrictions on bathing while out.
We do not assume that you will take the cat to the bathhouse, make him wait in the changing room, or make him drink hot spring water. Even though hot springs and cats are the same attractions at an inn, you need to consider the location and safety considerations separately.
List update policy
If the conditions change due to information from the inn, updates to the official website, or on-site interviews, we will update the individual articles and this list at the same time. Old SNS posts alone will not raise the conditions for publication. If you notice any errors or changes in the information, please let us know along with the official source of confirmation.
Summary
Choosing a hot spring cat inn will be easier if you check not only the quality of the spring water and bathing hours, but also where the cats rest and where you can meet them.
