Traditional Japanese Inn Offers Its Guests Cat Companions To Spend The Night With

A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn that usually features tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where guests may wear a casual summer kimono and talk to the owner. Ryokans have existed since the 8th century, which is also when the oldest hotel in the world, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, was created. However, these establishments are still relevant; one of them just went viral for its services.

It is called My Cat Yugawara and is located in the hot spring town of Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture. Among all the offers, there’s a “trial” package that allows guests to experience first-hand what it’s like living with a cat.

More info: mycat-yugawara.com

Image credits: mycatyugawara

Everyone who purchases the trial package will share their room with a cat. The feline will arrive at 5.30 PM and stay until 9 AM. During that time, guests must not leave the cat unattended.

Image credits: mycatyugawara

First-time guests are also required to complete at least one session in the My Cat Yugawara cafe, so that the staff can make sure they’re comfortable around the critters, and that the cats are comfortable around them.

Image credits: mycatyugawara

The trial package is not just fun and games. Since the guests are responsible for taking care of the animal, they will also have to clean its litter box with a scooper they will receive at check-in.

Image credits: mycatyugawara

The trial package was created for people who are thinking about getting a cat as their pet but aren’t entirely sure whether or not that’s the right choice for them. My Cat Yugawara hopes to help them to find out.

The best part is that if a person decides they not only want a cat but like the one they spent the night with, My Cat Yugawara will make it possible to adopt it.

The applicant, however, will have to go through an interview where the inn will determine whether or not they and the cat are a good fit.

Image credits: mycatyugawara

The trial package is a 2,200 JPY (about 21 USD) per-cat surcharge over the hotel’s regular price of 4,950 JPY (47 USD) per person, or room rate of 3,190 JPY (30 USD) per guest for those staying in a room without a private bathroom.