What I Packed For The Last Six Months of Travel

So much has changed in our travels over the last two years and three months, but one of the biggest has to be the clothing I carried in my backpack.

Comparing to the above photo, taken in July, 2018, here is what things looked like just before we left in March, 2016. 

Maybe it doesn't look like a big difference, but it is.

My packing goal since the beginning has always been not to overpack, with clothing I chose back then meeting what I thought was a laundry list of foolproof requirements.

Original Travel Clothing Requirements

• Performance material (quick dry)
• Machine wash
• Not bulky
• Color coordinating (mix-and-match)
• Chic/Fashionable

Now compare that to today.

Current Travel Clothing Requirements

• Allows me to leave home without being naked

I'm being a little facetious, but not much.  I remember listening to a podcast before we started to travel, where a long-term nomad revealed his top packing tip.

'Pack what you like to wear.  It can be anything, even jeans.  It doesn't matter, just throw some sh!t in a bag and go.'

I remember thinking 'No way!' at the time, but slowly, what I 'like to wear' became the driving force in choosing what went in the pack.  Even what seems like an objective non-negotiable for hot and humid Asia like 'selecting performance material articles' went out the window. 

I found many pieces couldn't make the long haul for various reasons.

The Losers

Some things just ended up being too bulky.  My first rain jacket was lovely, but I couldn't roll it into a ball on non-rainy travel days, so switched to an REI jacket that compacted into the size of a pocket square.  The chambray tunic was not just too big, but also not great in any weather.  Too heavy for warm weather and too light for cold.  Meh. 

Some items just weren't practical, such as my Tieks flats.  If I can't walk at least five miles in them, forget it!  Then there was that Ably shirt, which touted its revolutionary non-stink material. Yes, you can wear it five days in a row, but since it doesn't hold it's shape at all, I looked as though I stored potatoes in it when not in use.  Finally, my Lucy 'Get Going' pants didn't fall apart from over wear, they simply disintegrated after one month of normal wear.  Grrrr!

Winners That Fell in the Line of Duty

Sadly (or happily depending on your point of view), I wore out a few things a long the way.  My lovely white tunic with black embroidery from Estonia fell apart after too much wear.  Same goes for my next white tunic from Uniqlo.  After washing it with darks for so long, it eventually became an unsightly shade of gray.  My $5 exercise pants picked up at Ross in Phoenix also disintegrated from heavy wear, but I wasn't too sad about those because by the time I threw them away, they were more than fully depreciated. 

Please note the presence of my REI Coop Vest in every photo below.  More on that later.

One of my most devastating clothing moments occurred recently in Taiwan.  My prized Havianas that I purchased in Brazil in 2011 bit the dust as the super glue surgery performed by Perry last year finally gave out.  I am now the not-so-proud owner of men's rubber flip flops as they do not have women's size 10 in Taiwan.  

So, after all that, which clothing ended up on the positive side?

The Current Clothing List

3 t-shirts, 1 short-sleeve blouse, 2 tanks, 1 lightweight pant, 2 shorts, 1 dress, 2 long sleeve tops, 1 sports tank, 1 yoga pant, swimsuit, coverup, 8 underwear, 2 bras, 5 socks, 2 pajama pants, jacket, scarf, baseball cap, hiking sandals, sneakers, flip flops. 

Current Clothes, The New Heroes

You live, you learn.  After a few losers, I picked up some winners over the last year that have stuck.

TAYLOR BERMUDA SHORTS BY CHRISTOPHER BLUE

First, I traveled with a pair of golf shorts, then I went with some fancy hiking shorts from REI. 

I didn't like how I felt in either one of them and ultimately decided to just go with what I like- travel appropriate or not.  These Bermuda shorts (from Nordstrom Rack) go against every rule- they are cotton, bulky and hard to dry- but I like the way they look and they are comfortable.  The last six months my pack contained two pairs- one tan and one black.

CAT CAFE T-SHIRT

If I'm going to visit every cat cafe in the world, I decided why hide it?  It's not very fashionable, but it's a conversation starter, so I guess there is that.

SLEEVELESS BLOUSE BY UNIQLO

Uniqlo comes in clutch again- this is the perfect hot and humid piece, plus it washes up like a champ and resists wrinkles.  Plain and boring?  For sure, but that's why I travel with a colorful necklace.  Please see below, exhibit A.

BLACK JERSEY DRESS BY UNIQLO

I loved my black Travelsmith travel dress (left), but the long sleeves were just too much for sweltering SE Asia.  My current black jersey dress (right, shown in blue) from Uniqlo checks all the boxes (lightweight, coverage, easy care) with one key difference- it cost me $12 instead of $80.

When I'm attempting to look presentable, it's amazing how a cheap little dress like this does the trick.  See below photographic evidence.  What do you know, I'm even wearing the next hero piece on this list.

HIKING SANDALS BY KEEN

I've resisted hiking sandals all my life, deeming them not 'cute enough', but the travel lifestyle makes them indispensable in places like SE Asia.  Leather sandals or even Birkenstocks simply cannot keep up with heavy rains and constant walking.  I found these Keen sandals in Thailand last year and they have been in constant rotation ever since. 

Hero Pieces Since the Beginning

Some clothing remained with me since the start and deserve a special shout out.

CAPILENE MIDWEIGHT ZIP-NECK TOP BY PATAGONIA

I can't say enough about this piece, talk about a workhorse.  I wore my original nearly every day for two years, finally replacing it in January as there were holes forming on the bottom of the sleeves.  As predicted back in April, 2016, it ended up being the perfect layer with zero bulk and sleek good looks, but still offering plenty of warmth.  Worth every penny.

CITY JOGGER BY ATHLETA

These started and ended as one of my favorite articles of travel clothing with the ultimate combination of comfort and good looks.  The fabric is light and quick drying, plus they skim the curves but are just loose enough.  Perfection.

ORIGINALS ANKLE SOCKS BY BOMBAS

I won't put anything else on my feet.  Period.

COOP VEST BY REI

It's the perfect lightweight layering piece, it rolls up into a tiny ball and it's not expensive.  I wore it constantly, but interestingly, it was mainly because of the pockets so I wouldn't always have to carry a bag.  Speaking of bags...

MICHAEL KORS WALLET

I realize this isn't clothing, but I 'wore' this thing 95% of the time.  It ended up being the perfect thing- large enough to carry money, passport, phone and lip stuff, but small enough that I could wear it cross-body and move around all day.  It's finally starting to look shoddy with the edging coming off, but DANG, did I get my money's worth out of this thing.

BARELY BRA & UNDERWEAR BY PATAGONIA

I traveled with two bras.  One regular black bra and one nude sports bra.  I've replaced my regular bra twice, but this Barely bra (and matching panties) from Patagonia is still holding up.  Consider me impressed and a fan for life.

LONG & LEAN TANK BY MOSSIMO (TARGET)

I discovered Target discontinued these sometime during our first trip to Europe.  So, even though my white tank is now gray and threadbare, I can't bring myself to part with it.  I wear it to bed mostly, but there were travel days when it served as a layer.  Luckily, I never had to strip off my top layer and reveal its disgustingness in public.  P.S.  If anyone from Target is reading this, PLEASE bring them back.  What you replaced them with are too boxy. :(

We Interrupt Our Travel To Bring You The Following Message

Our travel has officially been paused.  

After two years and three months on the road, we are unstrapping our backpacks, swatting off the trail dust and hunkering down for an extended period of time in Kansas! 

A lot has changed since we left our previous lives.  I haven't used an alarm clock or cooked much in the last two years.  I spend most of my time writing and managing two websites. Many days of hiking has left my face with so much sun damage that my former dermatologist should slap me.  Instant coffee and box hair color form the foundation of my inner frugalista.  Finally, I've completely lost my style game with cat cafe t-shirts and baggy shorts in heavy rotation.

Hong Kong

I'm older, but not sure I'm any wiser.

Some things haven't changed.  My beloved country is still a hot mess and I hope to be more involved on that front moving forward.  Impressively (if I do say so myself), Perry and I have managed to stay together, despite having had more arguments in the last two years than the previous twelve.  Being together 24/7 kinda threw that conflict-avoidance tendency out the window.  I wrote about how we have been managing our long-term travel relationship, but expect pursuing separate interests and leaving the house during the week will be a nice change of pace for both of us!

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Even though we've grown accustomed to living like savages, we are looking forward to several aspects of traditional American life, namely the gym and big-ass salads.  I never dreamed I would be this excited to work out and eat raw spinach.  We need it though, as health-wise we've had a bad stretch recently, suffering from maladies ranging from never-ending viruses (me) to two bouts of food poisoning (Perry).

Oh, yes, there is that pesky little matter called money.  We will also be working on the financial fitness side of things by refilling ye olde travel coffers.   Living on the road is definitely cheaper than 'normal' living (and I'm proud of our frugal ways), but it isn't free.

The Great Wall of China

Kansas City, Kansas is where we will put down some roots, in the literal heartland where grain farming dominates the landscape, much like where I grew up in northern Minnesota.  The metaphorical 'grounding' by settling in such a rural area is not lost on me, but have found the city to be really nice and a good size for us, with a decent variety of culture, sports and outdoor activities.

I’m also going back to my marketing roots with a job in the milling industry, which was my first role way-back-when, and the prospect of working with former colleagues and customers again is exciting.  I’m anxious get back inside the food industry and apply what I’ve learned during my travels.

Now that we've stopped, I find myself overwhelmed with emotion looking back on it all.  I feel like I've lived a lifetime in two years.  From grand treks across Mongolia to quiet days with family in the US, I've learned that travel doesn't need to be epic to be memorable. 

Rouen, France

The End or The Beginning?

I've deliberately said 'pause' because this isn't the end of travel for us. 

People have been curious about our stoppage and I’ve gotten a lot of questions from friends, family and prospective employers asking if I can go back to a ‘normal’ lifestyle or if I have gotten travel ‘out of my system?’

Mongolia

Pardon the triteness, but travel is a mindset and not a task to be completed.  If you have a hobby or passion, whether it’s cycling. sewing or politics, do you feel you are ‘done’ after finishing a ride, a quilt, or the latest election?  Of course not, because life is always changing and there is so much more to see, do and discover. 

To me, travel is a curiosity about the world- a yearning to know more about our collective history, people, food and cultures.  It’s about being open to new experiences and being in the moment (ugh, the cliches!) but it also makes you question everything- why things are the way they are.  I question my motives surrounding travel all the time.  Was it truly to see places or just so I could post some cool pictures.  Was it so I could keep pushing the 'I am unique and special' narrative which justifies my other non-traditional life choices? 

Most decisions are complicated so it's probably a little bit of everything. 

Whatever the case, I threw the whole exceptional thing out the window once I saw not just how many people are doing this travel thing, but doing it better, longer and cooler.  I know you're not supposed to compare yourself to others, but we're pretty darn middle-of-the-road for travelers.  Not super high flyers, nor extreme cheapies.  Not adventure junkies or completely risk averse.

Central Park, NYC

It doesn't matter, because once it's opened you can’t put the genie back in the bottle.  Counterintuitively, I've found that the more you travel, the bigger the world becomes, and I've added even more locations to my must-see list which will be the topic of a future blogpost.

Besides, what is a normal lifestyle anyway?  There are so many ways of inhabiting this world and many of us are travelers even if we don't think we are.  Sure, some people travel as a lifestyle, but what about all the people constantly on the road for work?  You know this to be true if you have tried getting an airline upgrade lately.  Some regularly change jobs that require moving.   Others choose to move closer to a specific climate or family.  Many people don’t stay in one place forever and that isn't considered abnormal.  

Singapore

Whatever your classification, being in one place can still offer plenty of insights and adventure if you have the 'travel mindset'.  Even in Kansas.

As long as I'm up here on my platitude high horse, I'll throw out a few more of my key learnings from the last couple of years.

Plovdiv Folk Festival, Bulgaria

Traveler or Tourist?  It's All Just Living

Travel is not magic, it's just life and like anyone's life, there were things I loved (having gobs of luxurious time, uncovering creativity, doing stuff in the middle of the day when it's not crowded, discovering local food) and things I hated (crappy beds, dirty showers, small coffee cups, no gym, tiring of local food). There were days that were beyond amazing, such as seeing many of my dream destinations and days that really sucked, like getting lost in the rain wearing heavy backpacks while trying to find our Airbnb.  It's definitely not all rainbows and unicorns.

Near Malmo, Sweden

Just like regular life, our travel lifestyle changed over time.  Initially, we approached new places like we were starving, gobbling up new experiences like there was no tomorrow.  Eventually, we settled into a routine of simple living- working on projects and trying out one or two activities per week, primarily involving walking as this intersected us with local life and served as exercise.

We tried not to get too precious about the whole 'traveler vs tourist' distinction.  Sometimes, we embraced the tourist scene and took tons of photos at sights like The Great Wall and Eiffel Tower.  But we also skipped plenty of expensive tourist attractions in favor of our projects (chocolate milk and cat cafe reviews) and cheaper, local living.  Sometimes we selected traditional travel destinations such as France, Thailand and Japan, and other times picked off-the-beaten path countries such as Mongolia, Estonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Comfort is Not the Goal

We are not meant to be comfortable 100% of the time.  It's pretty tough to learn, change and grow without some form of discomfort.  It's just the nature of life.

Being uncomfortable led to some of our best moments on the road.  Not just physical discomfort (and I’ve slept on some of the hardest beds ever), but the emotional discomfort of not being in control and looking like a complete idiot, which I've found frequently results in memorable experiences and future travel knowledge.

Dali, China

• Embarrassment Won't Kill You:  I can’t count how many times I felt like a dumbass trying to order food in a country where we don’t speak the language.  The worst was trying Hot Pot for the first time in China.  We didn't know how it worked or what to order which led to an awkward, prolonged conversation with the waiter that culminated in them tracking down a local with some English.  Full story here.  The takeaway is that the ability to laugh at ourselves helped get us through MANY embarrassing moments learning something new.

• Friends Are Just Around the Corner:  It might feel awkward at first, but once the moment passes, you might just make a friend for life.   Like the day we met a couple of Swedes in the lobby of our hostel in Dali, China going to hike the same trail.  We both had the initial 'stranger shyness' but they ended up becoming our best friends on the road, meeting up in four different places since then.  Making new friends from all over the world including China, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, Australia, Canada and the USA is something I'm so proud of, that I plan to write another article just so I can share these awesome stories.

Cadair Idris, Wales

• Say Yes, Be a Hero:  A long-time germ-a-phobe, Perry won't share a glass with me, but he did share a bowl of homemade mare's milk vodka with a toothless Mongolian elder named Bor.  He has also had to drink beer (which he hates) in the name of diplomatic relations and perform impromptu magic (which is very difficult without preparation) when the situation called for it making him consistently a 'yes' hero on the road and for which he deserves ALL THE ACCOLADES!

Tallinn, Estonia

While our new day-to-day life probably won’t have that level of discomfort, I hope to bring that mindset into everyday situations.  Except when I'm sleeping.  Interestingly, we’ve slept in so many hard beds that our standard for comfort has changed dramatically.  We picked out a mattress this week, and instead of the plush King we expected to buy, went with a firm Queen that the salesperson said she has only sold to people moving here from Asia.

Beautiful World, Beautiful People

For all the publicity being pumped into our collective consciousness, the world is a surprisingly un-scary place.  Sure, there were parts of St. Petersburg (Russia) Manila, Mexico City and Belgrade (Serbia) that were a little sketch (to me) but I’ve almost always felt safe in foreign countries. 

St. Petersburg, Russia

Even in those 'sketchy' places, we encountered some of the friendliest, most helpful people on the road.  Like the time in Belgrade when we got lost in a neighborhood we shouldn’t have and stopped at a bar where a creepy dude with greasy hair and a knife scar across his face turned out to be the nicest guy ever, helping us figure out directions to the park we were looking for while sharing a beer and a few laughs.  Full story here.

Or the elderly Japanese man that approached us outside a Kyoto temple to help with his book translation.  Our ‘scam’ radar was initially going off, but it turns out this was the best place for him to encounter English speakers where he could ask detailed questions, such as the difference between the words undertaker and mortician (hint, one is more often used in Britain, the other in the US).

Innsbruck, Austria

These instances proved to me that traveling the world with pre-conceived notions interferes with the good that is actually there, but taking a rose-colored glasses approach doesn’t work either, especially near an ATM or taxi stand!   Travel (and life) isn’t a glossy magazine spread of picture perfect locations and 'authentic' experiences.  Seeing people and places for what they are- unique, flawed and real- doesn’t make them any less genuine.  Travel is too often glamorized and while many locations are far from glamorous, that doesn’t make them any less appealing. 

Belgrade is a perfect example.  Our first impression was that it wasn't a conventionally beautiful city, but after a few days, found our neighborhood very NYC-like- vibrant, full of culture and just plain cool.

Osaka, Japan

You Can't Always Get What You Want

In the travel classic The Snow Leopard, Peter Matthiessen talks about how looking for a particular something often obscures what is in front of you.  He ponders how what you seek sometimes does not want to be found.  

I found this to be particularly meaningful because my travels didn't exactly transform me or bestow the virtues I thought they would.

Koh Samui, Thailand

I didn't gain the patience or the elevated wisdom I was seeking but I did discover a treasure trove of gratitude and fearlessness. I'm grateful for all the places we visited, including the ones I didn't necessarily love, and the adventures, even the bad ones.  I'm thankful I had the means and ability to do it. 

As for being fearless?  I didn't eliminate all my anxieties, but found an inner fortitude that's helped quiet them.   Living frugally and working on accepting myself have made me less dependent on external forces like money, job title and approval of others. 

I don't know that travel has necessarily made me a better person and I still don't possess a grand life purpose, but I'm proud that I had the nerve to do it, and that I tried to be completely truthful about my experiences, warts and all.  

My body may need a rest, but my spirit is energized and ready for the next chapter.

The Best Cat Cafes in Tokyo

Fast paced.  High energy.  Trend setting.  Leading edge.  Catty?

If you are looking for the latest in culture, trends, shopping, dining, or even cats, consider Tokyo (home of Hello Kitty) the perfect muse.  

But in the world's most populous metropolitan area (nearly double that of NYC), even experienced travelers can be overwhelmed seeking out inspiration.

The Neighbor's Cat traveled to Tokyo in May, 2017 with the aim of visiting every cat cafe, and found the task much like the city itself, exciting, yet daunting.

With determination and a Japan Rail (JR) pass, I managed to drop by 24 feline emporiums in the in ten days.  But even with all that kooky kitty-ness, leave it to Tokyo to put a stroller filled with ten fluffy furballs in my path.  You can't make this stuff up.

To save you the time and money, The Neighbor's Cat has selected the best cat cafes Tokyo has to offer, so you can hunt down more inspiration.  Or a pushchair full of cats.

Best Overall:  Monta

High above the Taito neighborhood, this cat cafe delights in many ways.  So much so, it has officially made the list of Top Five Cat Cafes in the World.   

Yes, Monta stands out amongst the 100+ cafes I've personally visited across the globe as it exceeds expectations in all areas- cats, coffee, facility and staff.  It's everything a cat cafe should be.

First, naturally, the cats are top notch.  The owner has one each of the nine cutest breeds out there including Bengal, Russian Blue, Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Abyssinian and my personal new favorite, Somali.

Each one of these cats is a rock star in his/her own right with equal measures of beauty, sociability and playfulness.  I was particularly enamored of Kenta, the aforementioned Somali who is so gorgeous, I just stared at him before he finally moved out of my line of sight.  Then, I made eyes at Aby, the Abyssinian and Jack, the Norwegian Forest Cat.  While those cats were relatively chill, Lili the Bengal was super playful and curious, chasing a string and sniffing my coffee.

Speaking of coffee, this is another reason why Monta is getting the nod on my favorites list.  I'm pretty generous with the cafe side of things, so if they are more about cats than coffee, I'm ok with that.  Japan has a fairly loose definition of a 'cafe' when it comes to cat cafes, with most serving hot drinks from a vending machine that are not the highest quality beverages you will find.

But Monta rises above this with real espresso drinks on offer that are delicious!  They also serve tea and beer, plus a limited selection of pizza, pasta and pastries.  The cost of food and drinks is not included in the entrance fee.

The facility itself is wonderful.  Super clean, nicely decorated and cozy without being cluttered, the owner has created a room that stands out as one that has been thoughtfully created to please both cats and humans.  I especially appreciated the warm lighting, which so many cafes fail to get right with harsh, fluorescent overheads that are serious buzz kills.  I also enjoyed meeting the owner, a genial man who clearly loves these kitties and running his cafe.  He genuinely wants you to enjoy the cats and the time you spend here.

As I sat inside Monta's lovely space surrounded by nine gorgeous cats and delicious cup of coffee in my hand while overlooking the Tokyo skyline, it struck me that this is an ideal cat cafe.

Click here for complete cafe details.

Most Unique:  Temari No Ouchi

Just when I thought that Caturday was going to take the title for the most creative cat cafe, along comes the fairy tale that is Temari no Ouchi.

It's not difficult to forget reality as you sip a coffee in this pint sized cat village.  With a style best described as hobbit house chic, Temari no Ouchi (Temari's House) provides a destination experience that will leave you smiling.  

Billed as a relaxation space, the price to enter the cafe is steep, even by Tokyo standards.  One hour will set you back Y1200 ($10.97) on the weekdays or Y1600 ($14.62) on the weekend-- which doesn't include food and drinks.

It was already crowded when I arrived around 11 on a Monday morning, and was seated near the back on a bench that was made to look like faux wood.  This did provide me a good vantage point to observe the activities in progress.  The kitties (approximately twelve) were quite active, either scampering randomly around patrons seated on the floor at small tables or racing back and forth as they chased toys wielded by the friendly, uniformed staff.  In any case, the atmosphere was festive and it seemed focused on entertainment vs. a quiet place to sip coffee and work on your laptop.  

I've never heard a cat pant like a dog before, but one racing kitty did just that as he rested near me-- complete with his tongue hanging out.  These fur babies certainly had lots of personality, although many resisted being petted so definitely not a lap cat place.  

With a fun environment, playful cats and decent foodservice, Temari no Ouchi is a unique place to visit, especially on vacation.  Be warned that it is exceedingly popular and reservations are recommended unless you go first thing on a weekday morning like I did.  

Click here for the complete cafe details.

Friendliest Staff:  Cafe Nekorobi

Visiting so many cat cafes has proven to have a downside.  I’m getting a little jaded.

Which is unfortunate because cats in any type of setting should be a joy-inducing delight.  But after so many visits in Japan, pickiness had started to creep in, and I found myself mentally docking points for any hint of cat pee, rooms with bad lighting, apathetic staff or cups of sludge masquerading as coffee.  

Then, along came Nekorobi, which was a breath of fresh air.

My initial impression of the cafe was that, while pleasant and odor-free, it had no special features that stood out.  But when I stepped inside, I was pleasantly surprised by a super cheerful attendant, who seemed genuinely passionate about the cats, and gave me the details without a hint of overbearance.  Café workers attitudes really make a difference in first impressions and this set the tone for a wonderful above-average afternoon.

Once my fee was paid (900 yen for 30 minutes including unlimited free drinks from a coffee machine), I was shown the coffee machine in between receiving tips on which cats like belly rubs and which like to chase string.   There was a mention of a kitten that would make a playful and popular appearance later in the hour.

I particularly loved the cats here.  Plenty of them (twenty total) and all manner of breeds.  Most were incredibly social and many enjoyed playing.  A few were dressed up in goofy outfits, which I tend to frown upon as I can’t imagine they like it, but all seemed good natured about the whole thing.

I stayed for an hour watching gleeful (and well-behaved) children play with the younger cats and gently pet the older ones.  The smiles on their faces were priceless and I remember thinking this is what makes cat cafes worthwhile endeavors- they create pure joy. 

The vibe at Café Nekorobi is a happy and relaxed one, and while there are few bells and whistles, the simplicity means you can focus on the adorable cats. 

Click here for complete cafe details.

Friendliest Cats:  Cat Cafe Nyankoto

Cat Cafe Nyankoto was the first cafe we visited in Tokyo and it stands out, luckily, for all the right reasons. 

Nyankoto is run by a motivated owner who wants you to have a good time.  The setting is clean, fresh and very home-like with much of the seating on the floor where you can grab a fuzzy blanket and wait for the cats to fight over your lap.  These kitties are incredibly playful and social- amongst the most friendly cats I've come across in all of my world travels.  A variety of feline friends await you, including kittens, which are brought out sparingly to avoid over-stimulating them.

The visitors to this cafe are less tourist and more local, owing to the very reasonable entrance fee of 800 yen/hour which include a free beverage.  However, the owner has some English and is exceptionally welcoming to foreigners and locals alike, even offering everyone in the room a handful of cat treats for just 100 yen, a total bargain.

I found Cat Cafe Nyankoto to be a delight and am confident that you will walk away smiling, just as we did.

Click here for complete cafe details.

Most Relaxing:  Cafe 299

Café 299 was hard to find, but once there, even harder to leave. 

It came up on a random list from a Google search online but when I tried to Google map it, I couldn’t. 

Undeterred as I am in my quest to visit every cat café in the world, I narrowed the area on Maps.me and after doing a double take on the street, had my aha moment.  On the 5th floor of a six-story building, I enjoyed the vibe of the café, the second I arrived.  Less posh than Mocha, but nicer than many of the cafes in the Tokyo area, Café 299 strikes a good balance between a slightly upscale environment that also feels completely welcoming and cozy, with tons of comfy couches and even actual beds!

Precisely the type of place you would want to cuddle up with a cup of coffee and a kitty.

The pricing system is also a bit different, which is nice for those short on time- each ten minute increment costs 200 yen ($1.81 USD) with coffee (from a machine) an extra charge.

I counted about fifteen cats, a bit on the low side considering how large the room is, and it felt like patrons were vying for the attention of the few cats that were awake. 

I had a very enjoyable 40 minutes.  My couch was so comfortable, I had to force myself to leave after one sweet kitty had fallen asleep next to me. 

Put Café 299 on your list when you need a break from the chaos that is Tokyo.

Click here for complete cafe details.

Most Posh: Mocha Lounge Ikebukuro

In terms of sheer beauty, Mocha Lounge Ikebukuro wears the crown. 

The space is aptly named as the first thing I wanted to do when I entered this cat cafe was to throw myself on one of the many lounge stations and just bask in the atmosphere.

Upscale to be sure, with prices to match, Mocha also stands out in space-strapped Tokyo for its sheer enormity.  It's one of the largest cat cafes I've visited and the biggest in the Mocha chain.

Lest you think this reviewer a diva only capable of finding favor in conventionally gorgeous places, please see the excellent reviews for Cat Eyes, Momi and Miau, decidedly scruffy places that are actually charming when cute kitties and engaged staff are involved.  

But alas, it is the facility that helps put this cafe in coveted 4.5 paw overall score range, and despite lower scores for staff (spent more time cleaning than anything else) and food/drink (decent vending machine drinks, but still), the stand out felines also make this place a treat.  Luscious long-haired beauties such as Persians, Somalis, Maine Coons and American Curls provide plenty of eye candy while you kick back and relax after a long day of sight seeing on the busy streets of Tokyo.

Click here for complete cafe details.

The Neighbor’s Cat is a comprehensive global cat cafe resource with first-hand reviews, entertaining articles and an extensive photo gallery of the cutest cats on the planet.  On a quest to visit every cat cafe (169 in 27 countries so far) in the world, we are passionate about cat travel and raising awareness for rescue and adoption.