Owl cafes have become an increasingly popular attraction for travelers visiting Japan in recent years. Getting the rare opportunity to interact with owls up-close while enjoying a drink or snack in a cafe setting is an experience not found in many other places around the world.
But visiting one of these unique cafes often comes with a hefty price tag. So just how much does it cost to visit an owl cafe in Japan? Let’s take a closer look at the typical prices and what factors into the high costs of operating these specialty animal cafes.
Upfront Costs at Owl Cafes
The first thing to know is that virtually all owl cafes in Japan charge an upfront admission fee. This covers the cost of entry and grants you a set amount of time to interact with and take photos of the owls.
Standard pricing at most owl cafes falls in the range of:
- 1,000 – 2,500 JPY ($10 – $25 USD) for 30 minutes
- 1,500 – 3,000 JPY ($15 – $30 USD) for 1 hour
Some cafes may also offer 2 hour time slots for around 4,000 – 5,000 JPY ($40 – $50 USD).
This upfront fee only covers entry and time inside the owl cafe. Any additional food, drinks, or souvenirs you may want to purchase will be charged separately.
Factors Influencing Pricing
Several factors account for the relatively high admission fees to visit an owl cafe versus a regular cafe:
Staffing Costs
Owl cafes require additional trained staff compared to a standard cafe. Handlers knowledgeable about owl behavior and care are essential to oversee interactions and ensure the owls’ well-being. The high staff-to-customer ratio increases labor costs significantly.
Owl Acquisition and Care
Purchasing and caring for owls also represents a major expense. Depending on the species, a single owl can cost a cafe anywhere from $1,000 to even $20,000 or more. Providing food, housing, grooming, veterinary care, and proper facilities for the owls to feel safe and healthy also adds up.
Facility Size and Maintenance
Owl cafes need more space than a regular cafe due to requiring room for owl enclosures, handlers to interact with customers, and a regulated number of guests per session. Rental or lease costs for larger spaces in prime locations therefore tends to be higher.
Limited Guest Capacity
Allowing only small groups per session prevents overcrowding and reduces stress on the owls. However, the limited guest capacity per day means owl cafes have fewer customers to spread out their expenses across compared to other cafes.
Insurance Liabilities
Insuring an owl cafe comes with greater risk due to potential injuries from owl attacks or scratches. The increased liability coverage owl cafes need to carry can be very costly.
Average Food & Drink Costs
Since admission fees only cover entry, most guests also end up making additional food and drink purchases once inside the owl cafe.
Beverage prices, which include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, tend to range from:
- 500 – 700 JPY ($5 – $7 USD) for coffee, tea, soft drinks
- 700 – 1,000 JPY ($7 – $10 USD) for beer, wine, cocktails
Simple food items like cake slices, cookies, or snacks typically cost:
- 400 – 800 JPY ($4 – $8 USD) per piece
Some locations also offer full-service food menus including dishes like pasta and curry. Prices for these more elaborate meals are usually 1,500 – 2,000 JPY ($15 – $20 USD).
Budget around 1,000 – 2,000 JPY ($10 – $20 USD) total if you plan to have a drink and food while at an owl cafe in Japan.
Average Total Costs
Combining the standard admission fees and additional food, drinks, and souvenirs purchased, most guests spend:
- 2,500 – 4,500 JPY ($25 – $45 USD) per person for a 30-60 minute visit
- 5,000 – 7,000 JPY ($50 – $70 USD) per person for a 90-120 minute visit
Of course, costs can go higher or lower depending on the specific owl cafe, session length, and number of extras you indulge in. But the above ranges represent what most travelers pay for a typical owl cafe experience in Japan.
Ways To Save Money
While there’s no getting around the fact that a trip to an owl cafe requires an indulgent budget, there are a few ways you may be able to reduce costs:
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Some cafes offer discounts for early morning, late night, and weekday visits when demand is lower. For example, you may pay up to 30% less for a weekday afternoon time slot versus peak evenings and weekends.
Look for Package Deals
Some owl cafes offer bundled packages that include admission, a drink, and a snack or souvenir item for a discounted total price compared to paying individually.
Find Cafes With Lower Time Minimums
Most cafes require a minimum 30 minute visit, but a few may offer shorter 15 or 20 minute options for a lower price if you just want a quick experience.
Check Resident Discounts
It’s not common, but some cafes give small discounts to residents of Japan who can show a local ID or credentials.
Book Early
Booking your owl cafe visit well in advance can help secure early bird discounted rates before ticket prices increase closer to the date.
Average Cost By Major City
Owl cafe prices can also vary slightly by location. Here are average costs by some of the major cities where you’ll find owl cafes in Japan:
Tokyo
| Session Length | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 2,000 – 3,000 JPY |
| 60 minutes | 3,000 – 4,500 JPY |
As Japan’s biggest city, Tokyo has the most owl cafes of anywhere in the country. Competitive pressure helps keep pricing relatively stable across cafes.
Osaka
| Session Length | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 2,000 – 2,500 JPY |
| 60 minutes | 3,000 – 3,500 JPY |
Osaka is home to Japan’s second largest concentration of owl cafes. Prices trend slightly lower than Tokyo.
Kyoto
| Session Length | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 2,500 – 3,000 JPY |
| 60 minutes | 3,500 – 4,000 JPY |
As a hugely popular tourist destination, Kyoto owl cafe prices tend to be on the higher end compared to other cities.
Fukuoka
| Session Length | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 1,500 – 2,000 JPY |
| 60 minutes | 2,500 – 3,000 JPY |
Fukuoka is one of Japan’s most affordable cities for owl cafes, with admission fees generally 1,000 JPY lower than Tokyo or Kyoto.
Sapporo
| Session Length | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 1,500 – 2,500 JPY |
| 60 minutes | 2,500 – 3,500 JPY |
Along with Fukuoka, Sapporo is tied as one of the least expensive cities for owl cafes thanks to less tourism demand.
Popular Owl Cafes & Pricing
To give a better idea of real-world owl cafe prices in Japan, here’s a look at admission costs at some of the most popular and famous cafes:
Forest of Owl (Tokyo)
- Weekdays: 2,200 JPY ($22 USD) for 1 hour
- Weekends: 2,640 JPY ($26 USD) for 1 hour
Owl Family (Tokyo)
- Weekdays: 3,300 JPY ($33 USD) for 1 hour
- Weekends: 3,850 JPY ($38 USD) for 1 hour
Owls Garden (Kyoto)
- Weekdays: 2,750 JPY ($27 USD) for 1 hour
- Weekends: 3,300 JPY ($33 USD) for 1 hour
Fukuro no Mise (Osaka)
- Weekdays: 1,628 JPY ($16 USD) for 1 hour
- Weekends: 2,178 JPY ($21 USD) for 1 hour
Pricing tends to stay relatively consistent within about a $10 range among the top owl cafes in each respective city.
Is an Owl Cafe Worth the Cost?
Given the high admission fees, many visitors reasonably wonder whether owl cafes are worth the splurge or not. Here are some things to consider when deciding if the cost will be worthwhile for you:
How Much You Love Owls
Your level of passion for getting up close with owls will likely determine the value. Big owl fans tend to find the admission fees totally justified by the encounter, while more casual visitors may leave feeling underwhelmed.
Your Budget
For budget travelers or those on tighter finances, the pockets required for owl cafes may simply be out of reach. It’s certainly not an affordable activity for everyone.
Alternative Owl Experiences
Some zoos, bird parks, and animal centers also offer owl interaction opportunities that may come at a lower cost and greater time allowance.
Supporting Responsible Businesses
If animal welfare is a priority, you may find value in supporting owl cafes that prioritize humane practices versus lower budget operations.
Unique Experience
There aren’t many places worldwide you can casually admire owls this closely. As a one-of-a-kind Japan experience, some feel it’s worth the premium.
Conclusion
Owl cafes offer the unique opportunity to get up close with owls, but the admission fees of 2,000 – 5,000 JPY ($20 – $50 USD) per person reflect the high overheads required to purchase, house, and care for the owls. While certainly a splurge activity, many hardcore owl lovers feel the ability to admire the majestic birds and enjoy a coffee in a unique cafe ambiance justifies the pricing.
For more budget-minded travelers or those seeking lengthier encounters, alternatives like zoos or owl events may provide comparable experiences for less. But as a one-of-a-kind Japan activity ideal for avid owl enthusiasts with some cash to spare, owl cafes satisfy a sense of magic that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
