Cat inn “Washinmura” in Futtsu, Chiba | 16 rescued cats sometimes come to play in the guest room

This article is an accommodation guide created based on official information as of 2026-08-11.This is not an actual accommodation coverage article. Cat presence status and accommodation conditions may change, so please be sure to check the latest information on the official website before making a reservation.

Illustrative image (not a photograph of Washinmura’s cat or the guest room) / Photo: Arina Krasnikova, Pexels

I want to experience life with cats even when I travel.

Not only do you want to see the cat at a set time, but you also want the cat to come and visit your room at will. There is an inn in the Satoyama area of ​​Chiba PrefectureFuttsu that will meet the wishes of cat lovers.

Its name is “Washinmura”.This is an old folk house and glamping inn where rescued cats live freely on the premises and may even come into guests’ rooms if they feel like it.

What kind of place is Washinmura?

Washinmura is a satoyama accommodation located in Chiba PrefectureFuttsu Takamizo.

Instead of guest rooms being lined up in one building like a typical hotel, there are old folk houses that were built about 200 years ago, traditional nagaya gates, “jubako” created by Kengo Kuma and Snow Peak, glamping tents from Nordisk, and more scattered throughout nature.

What the facility values ​​is the natural coexistence of humans, animals, and nature. According to the official guide, all the cats living in the village are rescue cats, and a portion of the accommodation fee is used to cover the cats’ food, medical expenses, and maintenance of their living environment.

Instead of gathering the cats in a fixed place to serve customers, here we have a sense of distance where people come to visit the village where the cats live.

16 rescue cats live freely

The official guide updated in February 2026 introduces 16 rescue cats living in Washinmura.

Cats move around the village grounds according to their own will, rather than in a limited area like a cat cafe. Some days I’m at a cafe, some days I’m playing outside, and some days I’m taking a nap somewhere.

When and which cat you can meet depends on the cat that day.

That’s why I feel so happy when I see a cat, and a special feeling when a cat approaches me.

The cat freely comes to the guest room

The main reason I want to introduce Washinmura in “Neko Yado Research” is that the cats come freely to play in the guest room.

The official guide states that the cats come to guests’ rooms when they feel like it, and leave when they feel like it. The official FAQ also states that there is a possibility of cats coming into basically any room.

A cat appears from behind the door, explores the room, and finds a calm place to relax. If a cat comes to visit, you can spend a little bit of time together as if you were living together.

However, guest-room visits are not guaranteed as a service. Depending on the cat’s physical condition, mood, and weather, there may be days when the cat does not come to the room.

Rather than a “cat that will come when you call,” it is an “inn where the cat decides whether or not to come.”That freedom is also a characteristic of Washinmura.

Illustrative image (not a photograph of Washinmura’s cat or the guest room) / Photo: Alina Vilchenko, Pexels

Which guest room would be good for spending time with a resident cat?

There are 4 types of guest rooms introduced in the official guide.

Old house main building

This guest room is located in an old folk house built about 200 years ago. There is a hearth and hammock, and the official guest room information states that “rescue cats may enter and leave freely.”

If spending time indoors with a resident cat is your top priority, the guest room is your first option.

Nagayamon

A spacious guest room for groups and families that can accommodate up to 6 people. You can spend your time enjoying the atmosphere of the traditional building.

JYUBAKO -JYUBAKO-

A small mobile house created by Kengo Kuma and Snow Peak that takes advantage of the texture of wood. Capacity is 2 people. In the official guide, if you are concerned about cat allergies, this guest room is relatively inaccessible to resident cats.

Nordisk tent

A glamping tent that brings you close to nature. In addition to a chance encounter with a cat, it is suitable for people who want to enjoy an outdoor stay.

There is a possibility that a resident cat will visit any room, but there is no guarantee that a resident cat will visit. If you want to prioritize contact with resident cats, we recommend that you contact the inn for the latest information before making a reservation.

Illustrative image (not a photograph of Washinmura facility) / Photo: Jack Sparrow, Unsplash

The fun of Satoyama is not just about cats

At Washinmura, in addition to time with resident cats, you can also enjoy BBQ using local ingredients, bonfires, and a wood sauna.

Resident cats may come near during BBQ time, or appear by the bonfire or while bathing in the air. However, you should never feed the resident cat human food.

In addition to resident cats, there are also dogs and goats living on the premises. It will be easier to imagine how you can spend your time if you think of it as a place where you can quietly share the daily life of animals and the time of the satoyama, rather than a well-organized theme park.

Staying overnight helps support cats in shelters

Washinmura’s cats each have different backgrounds, such as being adopted from a public health center, being rescued from a multi-cat breeding situation, or being a former stray cat.

Currently, they are not available for adoption and are kept as residents of the inn for their entire lives. A portion of the accommodation fee is used for the cats’ living and medical expenses, so the stay itself supports the lives of the rescued cats.

While enjoying the time you spend with the cats, you can also make a small contribution to their future lives. Isn’t this a happy cycle for cat lovers?

Things you should know before staying

• There is no guarantee that you will definitely meet the cat or that it will come to the guest room.
• The number of cats and whether the cats currently live at the inn may change.
• Cats move freely around the premises and some guest rooms, so this property is not suitable for people with severe cat allergies.
• If you would like a guest room that is difficult for cats to enter, please contact the inn before making a reservation.
• Please prioritize local rules and the cat’s wishes when holding, snacking, taking photos, etc.
• Because it is located in a rural village, the environment is different from that of a city hotel, such as insects, weather, and mobile phone reception.

Access

By car, it takes about 70 to 80 minutes from Tokyo via the Tokyo Bay Aqua Line. Approximately 15 minutes from Futtsu Chuo IC on the Tateyama Expressway.

If using public transportation, it is approximately 15 minutes by car from Kazusa Minato Station on the JR Uchibo Line. The official guide states that there is a free shuttle service, but that reservations are required.

Cats may be walking on the road leading to the facility, so please slow down when walking around the facility.

Basic information

Prices, meals, transportation, and cat occupancy status are subject to change. Please be sure to check the official information when making a reservation.

Related video

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Glamping where 15 cats live freely | Washinmura
Channel: Animamille - Travel to meet animals.

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Summary

Washinmura is not an inn where you can go to see cats, but rather an inn where you can stay in a village where cats live.

Cats can walk freely around the premises and come to the guest room if they feel like it. Although the cat may not always be by your side, the time will definitely be special because the cat will choose to approach you.

For those who are looking for an accommodation that is close to cats, like Atca and Shichirigawa Onsen, this is a place you should consider as your next travel destination.

When comparing hotels where cats come to the guest room, please also refer to Inns where cats sometimes come to the guest room.Guest-room visits depend on the structure of each inn and the will of the cat, so we prioritize official information at the time of reservation.

Official information referenced

• Washinmura official website
• Inns where you can stay with rescued cats (Washinmura official guide)
• guest room list (Washinmura official guide)
• WashinmuraFAQ