Cat Village: Inside Japan’s Only Free-Roaming Cat Sanctuary

07/31/2026

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A Cat Paradise Inside a Safari Park

I once heard about a cat paradise hidden inside a safari park. Naturally, I had to see it for myself. On March 24, 2026, a brand-new attraction called “Neko Mura” (Cat Village) opened inside Akiyoshidai Safari Land in Yamaguchi Prefecture. I visited on opening day.

Opening Day: A Buzzing Crowd and a Few Nervous Cats

Today’s destination was Akiyoshidai Safari Land in Yamaguchi. Neko Mura had just opened its doors. The venue was already packed with visitors.

The cats, on the other hand, seemed less thrilled about the crowd. Some looked visibly on edge. They were clearly overwhelmed by the sudden rush of people. A TV crew had been filming that morning too. That may have added to their unusually tense mood.

The Big Draw: Free Access Between Indoors and Outdoors

Sixteen cats live freely at Neko Mura. The concept is simple: humans quietly step into the lives of cats, not the other way around. The village’s biggest feature is total freedom of movement. Cats can wander between the indoor facility and the outdoor garden whenever they please. The whole property, including the building, covers 1,500 square meters. I watched plenty of cats playing energetically outside.

A few rules apply here. Visitors can’t pick cats up, feed them, or bring in toys. Petting and photography are both fine. Neko Mura opens from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Staff reserve a two-hour midday break just for the cats.

Cats Enjoying the Outdoors for the First Time

Most of us picture cats indoors. So watching them wander through nature felt genuinely refreshing. They sniffed the grass and soaked up the fresh air. Several cats stretched out for a lazy sunbathing session.

The 16 residents include 9 Japanese breeds — calicos, brown tabbies, and others — plus 7 Western breeds like Maine Coons and Ragdolls. Staff provide cat grass for their health. The cats roam freely, but staff members still keep a close watch throughout the day.

Staff built all the play areas and gardens by hand. The cats clearly enjoy them. The team plans to expand the cats’ living space over time, building an even happier environment.

It had rained the day before, so puddles had formed in the garden. One cat drank straight from a puddle, despite having fresh water nearby. It gave off a surprisingly wild, untamed vibe. Watching cats behave this naturally felt like a rare privilege. One area near a pond was originally meant for cats too. But water quality issues and a sudden frog population boom closed it to both cats and visitors.

A Must-See: Cats Climbing Trees

The biggest playground here is a massive tree at the center of the garden. Cats climbed it one after another. A long-haired, elegant cat named “Ginji” seemed especially lively. He clearly enjoyed himself. I’d never watched cats climb trees this closely before.

Some cats climbed impressively high. Watching them made me a little nervous. As it turns out, tree-climbing is instinctual for cats. It helps them escape predators and find a safe place to rest. I felt like I was witnessing true feline nature in real time.

An Unexpected Fall

Elsewhere in the garden, another cat climbed to an impressive height — maybe 2 meters up. I watched nervously, hoping it wouldn’t fall. Then it happened. The cat let out a startled screech and tumbled down. Even skilled climbers take the occasional spill, apparently.

The cat looked genuinely shaken. It immediately gulped down water. But within minutes, it climbed the tree again. That quick recovery impressed me.

For reference, cats can typically land safely from heights of roughly 2.5 to 7 meters. Their athletic ability is honestly remarkable.

Meeting the Village’s Many Personalities

While I rested for a moment, another cat wandered over. Long-haired cats here tend to be especially energetic and friendly. I also met “Matsusuke,” the only brown tabby in the whole village. He’d pretend to approach, then change his mind at the last second. That playfully aloof attitude felt very true to cat nature.

At noon, the cats take their two-hour break. All visitors must leave the village during this time. Re-entry opens again at 2:00 PM.

Break Time: Café and Cat Goods

Akiyoshidai Safari Park offers much more than cats. A full zoo and amusement area sit right next door. But this visit was all about the cats, so I focused on cat-themed treats and merchandise during the break.

First, I stopped by the Safari Café. They sell soft-serve, coffee, and juice. I tried their new “Cat’s Cream Soda (Strawberry)” for 650 yen. It’s essentially a shaved-ice-style syrup mixed with soda water, topped with an adorable cat-paw design. It tasted great and looked even better in photos.

Next, I checked out the cat merchandise. The shop launched it alongside Neko Mura’s grand opening. Cute cat bandanas, small dishes, and chopstick rests stood out among the highlights. Browsing goods and sipping a cat-themed drink makes for a perfect midday break.

An Afternoon of Relaxation and Cat Drama

Two hours later, Neko Mura reopened. A long line had already formed. Given that 1,500 yen buys unlimited cat time for the entire day, it’s honestly a great deal.

I met “Tasuke,” a friendly brown tabby living up to the breed’s reputation. Then I ran into “Waka” — the same cat who’d fallen from the tree earlier. “Ouch!” I couldn’t help but say. I thought, half amused, “Weren’t you just falling out of a tree a minute ago?”

The cats had been energetic all morning. By afternoon, they shifted into full relaxation mode. Many curled up and fell asleep. One named “Aomaru” seemed a little camera-shy about being caught napping. He was adorable regardless.

Netting encloses the entire garden to prevent escapes. Some cats seemed fascinated by insects just outside the mesh — completely unreachable, of course. One cat pressed its face comically flat against the netting. The outside world clearly holds plenty of intrigue for these cats.

A cat named “Hana-chan” looked genuinely happy being petted. Another cat locked into some mysterious game of its own. It barely reacted, even when picked up. Then, out of nowhere, a scuffle broke out. Matsusuke came out clearly on the losing end. Hana-chan looked thoroughly unimpressed. He tried to make peace, but she wasn’t having any of it. I could only watch the drama unfold.

Surprisingly, Matsusuke didn’t seem too bothered by his one-sided scolding. A little while later, Waka — the tree-falling cat from earlier — quietly settled in right beside him. Watching them get along so easily felt oddly heartwarming, a peaceful moment right after all that chaos.

Evening Energy and the Final Stretch

Neko Mura closes at 3:30 PM. As closing time approaches, the crowds thin out. Cats up in the trees start coming back down to ground level one by one. I spotted that same grumpy-looking cat from this morning again. Turns out, it wasn’t shy around people after all — just having an off morning, maybe.

I also met an adorably chunky calico cat. She finally relaxed and let her guard down. A black cat that had been mostly missing all day finally made an appearance too. This one clearly wasn’t in the mood to be approached, though.

Bus service to Akiyoshidai Safari Park is limited, so coming by car works best. Watching these cats live so freely and joyfully in a natural setting is genuinely soothing. Evening turned out to be the most energetic time of day. The cats dashed around the garden, showing off their liveliest side right up until closing.

Thirty minutes before closing, interactions move indoors only. Staff leave the empty garden entirely to the cats. In that final stretch, it truly looks like a feline paradise. I couldn’t help but hope they’ll get to keep living this happy, free life for a long time to come.

Final Thoughts

Watching cats live so freely in a natural setting revealed a side of them I’d never seen before. Tree-climbing, playful scuffles, and unexpected little dramas — all part of authentic cat behavior on full display. If you’re ever in Yamaguchi, Neko Mura is well worth a visit.