Cat-inn guide | Neko Yado Research

Dictionary-style illustration of how to call resident cat, resident cat, cat landlady, etc. organized by accommodation situation.

Cat inn terminology | What do kanban-neko, yado-neko, neko-okami, and cat staff mean?

What do kanban-neko, yado-neko, neko-okami, cat staff, rescue cats, and accommodations where you can stay with cats mean? Distinguish informal nicknames from terms describing accommodation conditions, and learn how to interpret them when booking.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

An illustration that contrasts the different ways cats spend their time in the same cat inn with soft morning light and night light.

Morning and evening at cat inns | Researching when resident cats are active

Are cats more active in the morning or at night? We distinguish research on feline activity rhythms from examples of morning lobbies, cat time after dinner, and inns without fixed cat schedules, and explain what to check when planning to meet resident cats.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

An illustration of a photo book, calendar, travel commemorative stamps, and small souvenirs with a resident cat motif.

The world of resident cat goods | How to enjoy photo books, calendars, stamps, and souvenirs

How to enjoy resident cat photo books, calendars, postcards, and original inn souvenirs. We explain the difference between Goshuin and Onjuku stamps, whether proceeds support cats, rights to photos and names, and etiquette when products sell out.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

Architectural cross-section style illustration depicting hallways, stairs, porches, and small cat windows as movement routes for cats

Cat inn buildings from a cat’s perspective | Corridors, stairs, verandas, and cat windows

What do corridors, stairs, verandas, windowsills, and cat windows mean to cats at an inn? Learn what guests can observe in a building, considering cats’ environmental needs for elevated places, hiding places, routes, and places to retreat.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

From old travel books to modern lodging search A chronology-style illustration that traces the history of inns with cats

When did “neko-yado” become a term? | Researching the history of inns with cats

Can the first use of the Japanese terms ねこ宿 and 猫宿 be established? Trace books published since 2003, introductions to inns where cats welcome guests, resident-cat rankings, and examples of facility names to explore how inns with cats came to be discussed as travel destinations.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

Illustration of a traveler working quietly with a cat watching nearby using a safely wired desk in the guest room of a cat inn

Can you take a workcation at a cat inn? | Wi-Fi, desks, and cat safety

What should you check before a workcation at a cat inn? Learn about Wi-Fi reliability, desks and chairs, online meetings, company security policies, and protecting cats from charging cables and food.

Cat-inn guideFirst trip & preparation

Illustration from a white paper of two cats looking at research materials, surrounded by a map of Japan and the sign of an inn.

Japan Cat Inn White Paper 2026 | 135 inns by region, prefecture, and cat interaction category

Neko Yado Research independently analyzes the 135 domestic inns listed as of 2026-08-22. See distributions by region and prefecture, cat interaction categories A/B/C, features such as hot springs and walking access from stations, and future research topics.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

An illustration from the Kanagawa Prefecture Cat Inn Guide depicting a cat overlooking a seaside town and local train lines.

3 cat inns in Kanagawa | Compare Nanasawa Onsen, an inn near a Kawasaki station, and same-room cat plans in Yugawara

Compare 3 inns in Kanagawa with documented opportunities to encounter cats. Explore the differences between resident cats at Nanasawa Onsen, a Japanese-style inn near a station in Kawasaki, and eligible plans for sharing a room with cats in Yugawara.

Cat-inn guideInn collections

Illustration from Saitama Prefecture's cat inn guide where cats are resting near rivers, mountains, and local trains reminiscent of Chichibu.

4 cat inns in Saitama | Rescue cats and resident cats in Chichibu, and hot springs in Gyoda

Compare 4 cat inns in Saitama where you can confirm contact with resident cats and rescue cats. Choose among an inn beside a rescue-cat facility in Chichibu, a farm guesthouse, and a hot-spring hotel with a cat manager in Gyoda.

Cat-inn guideInn collections

Illustration from Gunma Prefecture's Cat Inn Guide where cats relax on the stone steps of a hot spring town at dusk.

5 cat inns in Gunma | Cottages with guest-room cat visits, Kusatsu, and Minakami Onsen

Compare 5 cat inns in Gunma and whether resident cats are present. Choose among a forest cottage with possible guest-room cat visits and hot-spring inns in Kusatsu, Minakami, and Okutsumagoi, according to cat interaction arrangements.

Cat-inn guideInn collections

Illustration from the cat accommodation guide in Tochigi Prefecture with a cat nestled against the backdrop of a forest and steamy valley.

5 cat inns in Tochigi | Guest-room cat visits, Shiobara Onsen, and Nasu cottages

Compare 5 cat inns in Tochigi and whether resident cats are present. Choose among guest-room cat visits, cloudy hot-spring waters at Shiobara Onsen, and cottages in Nasu, according to cat interaction arrangements and the purpose of your stay.

Cat-inn guideInn collections

Illustration of a traveler looking for a cat inn in Fukushima Prefecture with an old folk house, countryside, and hot spring valley in the background

4 cat inns in Fukushima | Dedicated cat rooms, traditional houses, and hot springs

Compare 4 cat inns in Fukushima where you can check encounters with resident cats. Choose among a dedicated cat room, a 130-year-old traditional house, Anahara Onsen, and a small inn in Okuaizu.

Cat-inn guideInn collections