The very first cat cafe in the world actually opened in Taipei, Taiwan, named Cat Flower Garden (now Kitten Coffee Garden) in 1998. The concept later spread to Japan in 2004 with the opening of Neko no Jikan in Osaka, which introduced the trend to the country.

Origin and Firsts

• World's First: Cat Flower Garden opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998.
• Japan's First: Neko no Jikan ("Cat's Time") opened in Osaka in 2004.
  
• Tokyo's First: Neko no Mise ("Cat's Store") opened in Machida, Tokyo in 2005.



Why Cat Cafes Grew Fast in Japan

• No Pets Allowed: Many rental apartments and condos in Japanese cities ban pet ownership.
• Stress Relief: Busy workers use the cafes for quick, comforting animal companionship.
• Explosion in Growth: After 2005, hundreds of cat cafes opened across Japan.

"A cat café is a theme café, whose attractions are cats that can be watched and played with.[1] Patrons pay a cover fee, generally hourly, and thus cat cafés can be seen as a form of supervised indoor pet rental," Wikipedia says.

"The world's first cat café, "Cat Flower Garden" (Chinese: 貓花園), opened in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998 and eventually became a global tourist destination. The concept spread to Japan, where the first one named "Neko no Jikan" (lit. "Cat's Time") was opened in Osaka in 2004. Due to Japan's land size and population, many residents live in small apartments or condominiums which do not allow pets, making cat cafés a very popular destination for young workers looking for the companionship and comfort offered.

"Cat cafés originally opened in Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and mainland China. However, since the 2010s, cat cafes gained in popularity in many countries worldwide, for example in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates,[7] United Kingdom,[8] and United States."

Taiwan

"Cats are popular pets in Taiwan, with the cat population increasing rapidly in recent years," Wikipedia says.

"The world's first cat café, named "Cat Flower Garden" was opened in Taipei in 1998, where there is also a luxurious "Cathy Hotel" especially for cats. The Taiwanese cat café concept then spread to Japan, and later to most other countries around the world."

"The world's first cat cafe, Cat Flower Garden, opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998. Soon, what began as a venture to provide young urbanites the chance to unwind after a hectic day became a favorite tourist destination. But cat cafés truly took off when they made their way to Japan," the Mental Floss says.

"If you said coffee, you’re half right. But the other half you may not have considered. Cat cafés are popping up all over the world, giving guests a chance to partake in warm beverages and pastries whilst communing with feline friends in a public environment. No litter boxes to tend to, no paws kneading on the bedposts in the morning, but all the psychological benefits that go along with the company of a good kitty. Here's what you need to know about the new trend that's meowing its way around the globe."

"The Cat Flower Garden Café radiated charm, reminiscent of a cat lazily basking in a sun-drenched window, offering city dwellers in cramped apartments a delightful escape where lattes flowed, vibrant selfies were a must, and endless cat cuddles were the order of the day," the Cats Soft Capetown says.

"The world’s first cat café, designed for feline aficionados, was home to an array of sociable whiskered residents who roamed freely, delivering companionship nearly akin to pure joy. It didn’t take long for this enchanting sanctuary to win the hearts of both locals and tourists, proving that one could savor their coffee while gently petting a purring friend.