Culture & research | 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 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

Illustration of a person returning from a trip writing a review of an inn while looking at a resident cat photo and travel notes

How to write a good review for a cat inn | How to convey information that is useful for the inn and future travelers

Reviews of cat accommodations will break down the facts about the timing of the visit, encounters with cats, guest rooms, meals, and information, and explain how to convey the information to the next traveler without making any guarantees about the cat's behavior.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

Illustration depicting three cat inn experiences: guest-room visits, interacting inside the inn, and meeting apart.

Why Neko Yado Research divides the distance to cats into A, B, and C

This guide explains the cat interactions indicated by Neko Yado Research's A/B/C classification, the evidence and boundaries used, and why these categories are not quality ratings.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

Illustration of an editor comparing Nekoyado's official update with a research memo with a confirmation date

Why Nekoyado information tends to become outdated and how to read the confirmation date

We will explain the reasons why cat accommodation information changes, such as the presence of resident cats, interaction with them, transportation, fees, etc., as well as how to read the article's confirmation date, update date, and information source.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

Illustration depicting two cat inn environments: cats walking freely inside the inn and a fully equipped cat room.

The difference between an inn where cats can live freely and an inn with a dedicated space for cats

Inside the Inn is a comparison of the difference between a cat inn where cats can live freely and an inn that has a cat-only room, cat cafe, and shelter.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

Illustration of a cat inn where travelers put down their cameras and leave enough distance for a resident cat to rest.

7 ways to support “cat inns” that go beyond just staying overnight

We will introduce 7 ways to support your favorite cat inn for a long time while protecting resident cats' rest, such as official reservations, using inside the inn, word of mouth, SNS, and revisiting.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research

An illustration of a cat inn that contrasts a scene where you see a cat from a distance and a scene where the cat approaches you and briefly interacts with you.

The difference between seeing cats and interacting with them

Learn how descriptions such as “you can see cats,” “you can interact with cats,” and “cats visit guest rooms” differ, and which wording to check before booking a cat inn.

Cat-inn guideCulture & research