First it was cats and dogs - now Tokyo cafe lets you hang out with owls

In the U.S., hanging out in a cafe with animals is such an exotic concept that people can’t get enough of it. But in Japan, cat cafes are just the start. You can hang out in rabbit cafes or have coffee in Tokyo with two goats. And you’re not limited to domestic animals. You can also spend an hour at a cafe holding a great horned owl. Judging by how complicated it is to get a reservation at Tokyo’s Fukuro no Mise (“Shop of Owls,”), the owl cafes there are just as much of a hoot there as cat cafes are here. To get a spot, visitors are supposed to line up an hour before Fukuro no Mise opens. There are no refunds on the $17 fee. If you’re late, you lose your slot. Inside, there is a list of detailed English instructions. For example, only touch the owls on the head or back. The owls come in various sizes and species, from tiny to quite large, including a great horned owl with large sharp claws and impressive beak.

They can’t be potty trained like dogs. So please be generous when they potty on you!

One of the instructions at okyo’s Fukuro no Mise

Each bird has a tether around one foot, which you hold in your hand as they perch on your arm. The attentive staff will place the owl on your shoulder or head if you like Staff can also help if your owl starts to flap. There’s no food but a small drink is included (alcohol costs extra). The drink arrives covered in plastic wrap, decorated with a magic marker illustration of an owl. But no one pays attention to their beverage until the final activity, which involves distributing souvenirs. Each item is held up and guests raise their hand if they want it. If too many people raise hands, winners are chosen by playing rock-paper-scissors, which seems to be the same in Japan as it is in the U.S. Souvenirs included a photo book, cell phone charms, chopsticks and a cloth decorated with owls.

Asia-Pacific