‘a meowing cat catches no rats’

1 05 2010
kitty!

kitty!

鳴く猫は鼠をとらぬ – ‘a meowing cat catches no rats'(all talk and no action)

The Problem:  Many Tokyoites live in apartments, or work long hours, and can’t keep a pet.  And yet, many still crave the love and affection of a pet.

The Idea:  A place with cats where people can come and play and pet them.

The Execution:  Cat Cafes

Lauren and I visited a Cat Cafe while she was in town.  The idea is great I think, being able to go to a cafe and play with cats, take photos, and just chill out.  And it really didn’t seem to be cruel in any way, the cafes have quite strict rules (like no waking sleeping cats, or doing things they don’t like), are quite well staffed, and the cats have an area to escape to if the humans become too much.

We visited Nekorobi in Ikebukuro, which was one of the cheapest and closest cat cafes to where I live.  It was 1000 yen for 1 hour, and that included free drinks, cookies and cats!  In the room there were about 10 cats, and about 6 or 7 customers at a time.  The cats had plenty of toys and baskets, and there were some sofas and chairs about the room for the humans (and sometimes the cats).

'Doraemon'

'Doraemon'

Although I think it’s a great idea, you’ve gotta admit that a cat’s personality isn’t really suited for this kind of work day in and day out.  Most of the time, most of the cats were sleeping.  Not many wanted to play, and some would walk away as soon as you petted them.  They only got active when, just as we were leaving, they were being fed.  So really, we spent most of the time just taking photos of the cats.  I will admit, they did have some very beautiful cats!

'Anko'

'Anko'

Once again, Lauren made a video!  And check out her YouTube Channel!


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sweet things

21 02 2007

well, not much has been happening really over the last week, but theres been a couple of things that really stick out.  I got an unprompted kiss on the cheek from one of my kids, that was really sweet.  And then another kid slightly older decided to hold my hand and swing it about saying ‘love love’ (which is actually not a good thing, because it implies a physical relationship…..  but i think he was a little too young to realize that….).  That boy lives with his grandfather, so he doesn’t have much contact with females we think..

hmmm, what else…  On Saturday night a group of about 10 students had a party for a couple of the teachers from my school…  It was a very interesting evening.  Really great food, and then we played bingo for prizes (i won some sponges, but since i was the first to get bingo I also got a wrapping cloth), and finally, the ‘reddest’ person one a prize too.  It was very very sweet of them to throw the party, and it was a great time.

Sunday was church and then dinner and drinks with a very mixed bunch of people.  There was about 14 of us in total, and we went back to that themed Izakaiya in Ikebukuro.  This time we went to the bamboo grove.  It was really lovely, but the food in the Opera House is much better!

Monday I slept in…  and I really really needed to by then!  6000 Yen later and I also have a re-entry visa so I can get back into the country after we go to Thailand.  And then I met up with Christina and we saw In the Pursuit of Happiness.  Okay movie, I enjoyed it, however it was a little slow and long.  Gotta love Will Smith though!  and his son is really cute!


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ugh

28 01 2007

We went out to a bar in Ikebukuro last night.  It was pretty fun, and very out there.  This bar was called “Fantasy Paradise”  and has themed areas.  We ate in the Opera House area (gorgeous and gothic dining, with girls in French maid outfits for waiters), but they also have Under the Sea, Bamboo Grove, and Year of the Pig (at least thats what I think the theme was….).

Pretty interesting in all.  Next time I want to go to the Lock Up, where you have your own little cell with torture items decorating the walls.  Cant say the Japanese aren’t creative.

On the downside however, Im feeling quite seedy today, so I didn’t make it to church, or the shopping that I wanted to do.  Ah well.


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