My Honest Experience at a Rabbit Cafe in Tokyo

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The world pretty much knows about cat cafes already, but when I found out that there were also a couple of rabbit cafes in Japan, I wanted to go visit one too. Was it worth it? Read on for my honest experience at a rabbit cafe in Tokyo.

Where to stay in Tokyo

If you want to be in the thick of Tokyo’s shopping and entertainment district, particularly if you’re a first-time visitor, then I recommend staying in Shibuya. Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most bustling, exciting wards and is where you can find the Harajuku area of the city – famous for its pop culture and edgy fashion. Not forgetting all things kawaii (cute) such as animal cafes.

First time in Japan? Check out my Ultimate Japan Bucket List and 4 day Tokyo Itinerary!

Rabbit and Grow Fat

The rabbit café I visited was called Ra.a.g.f which stands for Rabbit And Grow Fat. It is situated in Harajuku and is a bit of a mission to find, to be honest. If I didn’t have my husband and his pigeon instincts with me, I would probably still be wandering round Tokyo like Alice in a labyrinth looking for it!

The rabbit café is the same sort of set up as the cat café. You pay for the first 30 or 60 minutes you are there and then additional yen for time after that. Ra.a.g.f is 600Y for the first 30 minutes, which to be honest is all you really need. The café is tiny (and I mean tiny!). There are literally 3 little tables, where you sit on a cushion on the floor. A drink is included in the cover charge and for an extra 100Y you can purchase some nibbles for the rabbits (carrots or apple I believe).

While we were there, only 1 rabbit was out and about. The rest were shut away in their cages although we could pet them if we wanted to. I was told this was because the rabbits either fight or try to mate if there are too many out socialising together. I must admit I was a little disappointed by this but understand the café staff’s reasons. The rabbits apparently all take turns in being allowed to roam the café but I do hope that there is somewhere else they go (beyond the café) where they can stretch their little rabbit legs and hop around to their hearts content.

My final thoughts on visiting a rabbit cafe in Tokyo

From an animal welfare point of view, I would not recommend this rabbit cafe in Tokyo. The rabbit cages are far too small and it was not obvious to me whether the rabbits spend their whole lives in these tiny cages or if they have somewhere else to roam about. If I ever go back to Japan, I will do more research into ethical animal attractions or avoid them altogether.

Note: Since my visit, Ra.a.g.f appears to have closed.

Alternatives to visiting a rabbit cafe in Tokyo

Tokyo is home to an abundance of animal cafes – some of which likely do not have animals best interests at heart, particularly in regards to wild animals such as owls and capybara. However there are alternatives if you’re looking for a quirky cafe experience.

• Cat cafes: As far as animal cafes go, cat cafes are probably the most popular. I would also suggest they are the most ethical too considering that cats are domesticated and not confined to cages. I visited a cat cafe in Tokyo, there are plenty dotted around the city so do your research and find a good one that supports rescue and adoption.
• Maid cafes: Cute humans instead of cute animals. Now you may think this is a weird suggestion, but honestly my visit to a maid cafe in Japan was as entertaining as it was bizarre.
• Themed cafes: There’s everything from Pokemon to Ghibli to Hello Kitty cafes to satisfy your kawaii urges. Although I didn’t visit any of these, I did go to an Alice in Wonderland restaurant which was wonderfully whimsical.

Check out my other Japan guides:

• Tokyo Tower at Night: A Quick Guide to Tokyo’s Landmark
• Where to see Sumo Wrestling in Tokyo
• Surprising things about Japan that made my trip unforgettable
• 10 foods to try in Japan
• Visiting the Lost in Translation Bar Tokyo