[2026 Latest] Yanaka-Sendagi: The Cat Town. A Guide to a Cat-Filled Stroll, from Lunch to Goshuin.

The Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi area of Tokyo, affectionately known as "Yanaka-Nezu-Sendagi (Yanesen)", retains a strong sense of old Tokyo charm.

This town, long loved by writers and artists, is also a "cat sanctuary" visited by cat lovers from all over the world.

We recommend a "cat-filled stroll" with cat-themed sweets, cat goods, and spots where you can meet cats. The poponeko editorial team staff will thoroughly explain the "charm of Yanesen as a cat town" today!

[Sweets] Too cute to eat? Evolving "cat sweets"

First, let's look at some gourmet treats from Yanesen that you can enjoy while walking around. We've carefully selected cat sweets that are not only adorable in appearance but also authentic in taste.

Tail-shaped baked donuts from "Yanaka Shippoya"

Walking along Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street, you'll see many people holding baked donuts from "Yanaka Shippoya". These stick-shaped donuts, modeled after cat tails, come in over 10 different patterns!

Tora (Cocoa flavor)
Maririn (Sweet chestnut paste)

SPOT INFO

Yanaka Shippoya

Address 🐾3-11-12 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

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Plenty of cat sweets at "Cafe Nekoemon"

If you're tired from walking, we recommend taking a tea break at "Cafe Nekoemon," a cafe converted from an old folk house.

Cat Eclairs
Cat Mont Blanc
Pannacotta
Cat Cream Soda

You can enjoy these and many other cat sweets at reasonable prices, which are irresistible to cat lovers.

In addition, the adjoining specialty store for cat goods, "Maneki Neko Yanakado," is filled with various Maneki Neko (beckoning cat) merchandise. Many cat owners apparently come to paint their Maneki Neko to resemble their own cats in the Maneki Neko painting experience offered here.

Please enjoy this time to immerse yourself in art.

SPOT INFO

Cafe Nekoemon・Maneki Neko Yanakado

Address 🐾5-4-2 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Official Website 🐾View Official Website

Instagram 🐾Official Instagram

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Check out Ecute Nippori on February 22, 2026, "Cat Day"!

Every year on February 22nd ("Nyan-Nyan-Nyan" Day, or Cat Day), Ecute Nippori gathers cat sweets and cat goods! Limited edition Cat Day items that can only be purchased here will appear, making it a recommended spot to conclude your stroll through Yanesen.

Reference:Ekinaka commercial facilities "Ecute Nippori and Tachikawa" will hold a Cat Day Fair on February 22nd! Cat sweets & food too cute to eat, and adorable cat goods will be gathered!

SPOT INFO

Ecute Nippori

Address 🐾2-19 Nishinippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo
Inside JR Nippori Station

Official Website 🐾View Official Website

Instagram 🐾Official Instagram

[Lunch] Eat and support! Yanaka's 보호 cat cafe

If you want to interact with cats in Yanesen, a cat cafe is highly recommended!

Authentic Italian cuisine × Protected cats at "Yadorigi Cafe"

Located in Yanaka, "Yadorigi Cafe" is a must-visit for cat lovers. It's a wonderful establishment that combines a "protected cat shelter" with an "Italian restaurant."

You can enjoy authentic pasta and dolce while watching the cats relax freely. You can also purchase cat goods by cat artists.

SPOT INFO

Yanaka Yadorigi Cafe

Address 🐾3-15-1 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

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[Cat Goods] So many adorable cat items!

During your stroll, be sure to pick up some "cat goods" that you can only find in this town.

Cute Ukiyo-e style cats at "Isetatsu"

The long-established Edo chiyogami (traditional paper) store, "Isetatsu Yanaka Main Store," is also a must-visit cat spot.

Cat goods with humorous expressions, such as hand towels and cat Daruma dolls featuring cats in an ukiyo-e style, are popular.

SPOT INFO

Kikujudo Isetatsu Yanaka Main Store

Address 🐾2-18-9 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

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Instagram 🐾Official Instagram

Specialty cat goods store "TIM & SAILOR"

"TIM & SAILOR" is a vintage goods store overflowing with love for cats. It features rare cat goods and antiques collected from around the world, as well as works by cat artists.

SPOT INFO

TIM & SAILOR

Address 🐾Casa Sato 101, 3-13-8 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

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Cat-themed art space "Gallery Nekomachi"

Gallery Nekomachi, a traditional Yanaka house converted into an art gallery, showcases works by artists across various genres. With regularly changing exhibitions, it's a place you'll want to visit again and again.

SPOT INFO

Gallery Nekomachi

Address 🐾2-6-24 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Official Website 🐾View Official Website

Instagram 🐾Official Instagram

[Exploration] Walks become more fun! "Searching for the Seven Lucky Cats" and "The Cat's House"

As you stroll through Yanesen, you'll spot cat-themed signs and objects everywhere. We also recommend taking a walk to discover cat-related spots in Yanesen.

A new way to enjoy "Yanaka Shichifuku Neko"

Yanaka Shichifuku Neko refers to the wooden cat carvings placed on the roofs and storefronts of shops around Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street. There are seven in total, hence the name Seven Lucky Cats.

Their locations are kept secret, so it's fun to explore Yanaka Ginza and try to find them all. Be sure to look on rooftops and in hidden corners. There's even a rumor that finding all seven Lucky Cats will make your wish come true.

SPOT INFO

Yanaka Ginza

Access 🐾5 minutes walk from JR Nippori Station or Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Sendagi Station

Official Website 🐾View Official Website

That famous "Cat's House" too!

The so-called "Cat's House," where the renowned author Natsume Soseki's masterpiece "I Am a Cat" was born, is located near Nezu Shrine.

Although the house itself has been relocated to Meiji-mura in Aichi Prefecture, a bronze statue of a cat relaxing on a wall greets visitors. This is a must-visit sanctuary for cat lovers, where you can feel the scent of literature and love for cats.

SPOT INFO

Former Residence of Natsume Soseki (The Cat's House)

Address 🐾2-20-7 Mukogaoka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

"Honmyoin Temple" where you can get cat Goshuin (temple seals)

At Honmyoin Temple, nestled quietly in the cat town of Yanaka, you can receive adorable "Maneki Neko" (beckoning cat) Goshuin (temple seals) that change with the seasons and events.

There are also special designs limited to Cat Day and birthdays, which are well-known among cat lovers. If you're lucky, you might even encounter real cats within the temple grounds.

SPOT INFO

Jiu-san Honmyoin Temple

Address 🐾4-2-11 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Instagram 🐾Official Instagram

Is it true that there are no stray cats in Yanesen? The gentle change of a sacred place

The starting point for a stroll through Yanesen is "Yuyake Dandan," located right outside JR Nippori Station.

This popular spot, also known as the "Cat Staircase," used to be a place where many cats could be seen relaxing on the stairs, along with beautiful sunset views.

However, as of 2026, you don't see many stray cats here. Similarly, stray cats are no longer commonly seen at "Nezu Shrine," which was also famous as a gathering place for cats. But this is not necessarily sad news.

They "didn't disappear," they "became happy."

In fact, the Yanesen area has long been home to very active protected cat activities by local residents and volunteers. The thorough implementation of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) activities, combined with efforts to connect cats with foster homes, has borne fruit.

In other words, the cats who once endured the cold and heat on the streets are now living comfortably in warm homes, or in "protected cat cafes" and "shelters."

Today, Yanesen has evolved from a "town where you can meet stray cats" to a "compassionate town where the entire community watches over the happiness of cats." Please pay attention to this cat-loving spirit as well!