How many of you have read Harry Potter and wondered what it would feel like to have an owl as a pet? I know I certainly did, and thanks to Tokyoites’ obsession with animal cafés I got to find it out. Yes, you guessed it right, I am talking about the owl café. 
As I emerged from the elevator on the 5th floor of a random building in Akihabara, I immediately found myself in nothing less than a forest. Maple leaves, sound of trickling water, Halloween decorations, very dim lights and eclectic music – I knew I was in for a therapeutic experience. 
After receiving a brief instruction from a very nice hostess at the front desk – no flash photography, no sudden movements, no touching unless allowed, one free drink included in the ticket price – you are given an hour to spend with the birds. A tiny room inside was filled with approximately two dozen owls of different breeds, shapes and sizes. Some of the species included barn owls, eagle-owls, scops and tawny owls. I even got to see several hatchlings, all fluffy and adorable and sleepy. 
Majority of them sit perched on little bars (sadly, with a leash) in a verdant foliage. Some were snoozing and cooing, while others stayed wide awake and alert gawking at visitors with grumpy-looking expressions. To be honest, I have always had a mental fear of owls and didn’t think I would handle being so close to them, let alone pet or hold one. 
Indeed you are allowed to hold many of them. Feeling strongly intimidated I opted for smaller breeds, both of which turned out to be incredibly cute and cuddly little critters. Except, the affection was not quite mutual because the white one – Abiko – pooped on me and then looked at me with totally innocent eyes. 
Overall, it was a lovely and memorable experience. This place certainly offers a soothing respite from the buzz and neon glare of Akiba’s Electric Town. I left invigorated and completely freed from my fear of owls. I was also glad to see that each and every one of them was treated with great love and care by the staff.
What do you think? Would you want to visit owl café?
Owl No Mori | Soto-Kanda 4-5-8, 5F, Akihabara
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This post is part of Monday Escapes, Wanderful Wednesday, Faraway Files, Fly Away Friday… thank you so much for hosting!
I’m DEFINITELY dragging a friend or my Mom to this cafe when I’m back there in November/December! My parents own a cute little budgie and I know they’d enjoy the owls too! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday!
You’ll have to let me know how you like it! :)
Omg, I don’t blame you for being freaked out a little bit. I probably would be too, even tho they are so cute!! Thank you sharing on FlyAwayFriday and can’t wait to see what you share this weekend!
Thank you so much for reading!! :)
This is amazing and I’m SO sad I missed out on this when I was in Tokyo earlier this year! Owls are sooo cool. I did get to see one in Yoyogi Park. Some guy just randomly had one there, haha. Japan is such a magical place.
Lol true, there are things you see here that don’t usually happen anywhere else.
Oh, my! Some of those owls are just too cute!! This is such a cool idea! I’ve never heard of animal cafes before, but I guess if you’d find them anywhere it’s Japan! :D
Haha true! And this one was really cute. Loved the experience. Thanks for reading Lauren :)
Looks so cool, must be an interesting experience! Amazing pictures #flyawayfriday
Thank you, it was a lot of fun!
I’ve heard of the cat cafes in Tokyo before but never owls! Certainly sounds like a unique experience although I do worry a little about the owls welfare, I hope they don’t spend their entire life indoors! I wonder what cafe concept they’ll come up with next in Japan?! #Farawayfiles
It was definitely unique, although I already found yet another cool spot – penguin cafe! Details coming up soon;)
Oh such gorgeous photos I love this, I would have been a little scared but they are such stunning animals x
Thank you so much! I was pretty scared too in the beginning:)
I’m not sure how anyone even comes up with the concept of an owl cafe. Only in Japan right?! The cafe certainly looks interesting and the birds well cared for. So glad you overcame your fear. Thanks so much for joining us on #FarawayFiles
Thanks Katy, Japanese are very good at their concept cafes, aren’t they? :)
I cannot believe they have an owl cafe! I love owls, they are such beautiful birds but I wouldn’t have thought they’d be happy inside – presumably they must be as owls would have a pretty definite peck if they weren’t. #farawayfiles
They certainly didn’t peck, thankfully:) thanks for reading!!
OH MY GOD they have actual owls!! I mean, I’ve heard about cat cafes but owl cafes? That’s so Harry Potter! I love it!
Exactly, totally Harry Potter! Thanks for reading :)
I love owls! We hear them a lot every evening where we live in the English countryside. I had no idea there was such a thing as an owl café! My boys would love an experience like this. Thank you so much for linking up with the first ever #FarawayFiles. It’s wonderful to have you with us. Cx
I think this would be a perfect place for the kids! :)
WOW. That is crazy! Do the owls live there full time? In Oregon State where I am from there is a raptor rescue center which rehabilitates owls (and eagles and falcons and other birds) who have been injured. Some can never fully return to wild and stay at the center where you can visit and occasionally see them up close and personal! We love the little ones too! Thanks for linking up with #FarawayFiles – I would have to say that an Owl Cafe definitely seems like something very faraway from Denmark! Cheers, Erin
That’s a wonderful cause, Erin. Sadly here all owls are very much healthy, but they are still kept in the room the entire day. As amusing as the cafe was, I doubt owls are having fun. BUT they do take very good care of them.
I have never been interested in visiting a dog or cat cafe but I will make a line to visit an owl cafe. I think it is because you do not get to see such gorgeous creatures that often. Your photos are great. I love how close you can get to them.
I agree Ruth, it is a unique experience. Thank so much for reading :)
I must visit one of these when I’m there! Looks so interesting and seems like it could only happen in Tokyo! http://www.mystilettolife.com
Definitely, a truly Only-In-Tokyo experience! Can’t wait to meet you in person!
Eye-opening! These are urban owls and fabulous experience to be able to get up close and personal interaction with one. #mondayescapes
It was a special place, loved getting so close with them. Thanks for reading :)
Wow! This really is bizarre but it looks so fun!
It was so much fun!
OMG HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR?!?!? This is AMAZING!!! I’m a big owl-lover (even have one tattooed on me!), and I’m heading back to Toyo in about 14 months, so I really hope this is still around! You captured the most gorgeous pictures, too, and so brilliant that they managed to take your fears away :)
I had no idea this even existed but it’s now on my travel wishlist!
Haha I’m so glad! it’s definitely worth a visit!
What a wonderful review!! Wish I had known or had more time…Glad you got to visit and address your owl insecurities!!
Thanks for reading Penni! Next time you’re here, you’ll know what to visit :)
Ooooh, I love this! SO unique and it must have been so wonderful to be so close to such a lovely creature; owls seem so calm, and of course wise ;)
I really loved the entire experience, they were all so cute!