TOKYO: Cats are the second most popular pets in Japan, after dogs. But as many residents - especially those in the urban areas - are not allowed to keep pets in their apartments, they have to find other ways to be with the cute animals.

Beginning in Osaka in 2004, cat cafés have been sprouting all around Japan. At a café called Neko Jalala, about 50 people on the average patronise it every day to seek some feline company.

The shop, which opened in January this year, has a few simple rules – before going near the cats, visitors must remove their shoes and wash their hands. The animals should also be treated with care and respect.

Visitors pay 5 dollars for the first 30 minutes and just over a dollar for every 10 minutes thereafter.

Osamu Maeda, owner of Neko Jalala, said: "Before opening, we expected couples to visit. But the truth is, there are many men coming alone or men in groups. I guess this must be something about Akihabara."

Known as Tokyo's 'Electric Town', Akihabara is the men's haven for electronics and pop culture.

One male customer said: "I live alone and I don't own a cat right now. It's been a while, so I just want to pat a cat."

While many simply love cats, the owner believes there are those who drop by just to relax and unwind by mingling with the cute animals.


- CNA/so