Japan's Capybara Cafes and Onsen Zoos: Tokyo Cafes & Izu Hot Springs

If there’s one country that understands capybaras, it’s Japan. This is the place where capybaras soak in steaming hot-spring baths with citrus bobbing around them, where you can book a cafe session to hang out with a capybara and a few cats, and where capybara plushies seem to appear in every gift shop. If you’re planning a trip and want maximum capybara per day, here’s your friendly guide to Tokyo’s capybara cafes, the famous onsen capybaras of Izu Shaboten Zoo, and the practical tips that make it all go smoothly.

A quick note: CapyFinder hasn’t listed its Japanese venues yet, so the spots below are marked not yet listed on CapyFinder. We checked the details on each venue’s official site, but hours and prices change, so confirm before you go.

Tokyo’s capybara cafes

Capybara cafes are small, so spots are limited and reservations matter. Two names come up again and again for visitors.

Capyneko Cafe (Kichijoji and Harajuku), not yet listed on CapyFinder

Capyneko describes itself as a cafe where you can enjoy the company of both a capybara and cats, and it says part of its proceeds support cat rescue. Its Kichijoji shop is on the 2nd floor of the PLATANO building in Kichijoji Minamimachi, Musashino City. When we checked, a 40-minute capybara-and-cat session there was ¥2,800, with capybara or cat treats available for ¥550. There’s also a location in Harajuku, in the Bsquare building on Takeshita Street, where the same 40-minute session was listed at ¥3,850.

Good to know from the booking page:

• Reservations are required and paid online. Walk-ins are only possible if there’s space.
• Wear socks (they sell them if you forget).
• Skip the perfume, since strong scents can bother the animals.
• Children under 12 need a guardian, and kids under 1 are free.
• The cafe may close on short notice if the animals need a rest day.

Cafe Capyba (Hikifune and Asakusa), not yet listed on CapyFinder

Cafe Capyba has two Tokyo shops: its original Hikifune location, about a 5-minute walk from Hikifune Station near Tokyo Skytree, and a newer Asakusa location (opened in October 2025) that’s a short walk from Sensō-ji Temple. That makes it easy to combine capybara time with classic Tokyo sightseeing.

Key rules from its English reservation page:

• Guests must be 6 or older, and under-12s need a guardian.
• Reservations open up to two weeks ahead and are only taken through its website, not by phone, email, or social media.
• Arrive about 10 minutes early. Your time slot is an entry window, and visits are about 30 minutes.
• Cancellation fees apply within 48 hours, and you can be charged the full fee within 24 hours.

Izu Shaboten Zoo’s hot-spring capybaras

Now for the main event. Izu Shaboten Zoo, in Ito on Shizuoka’s Izu Peninsula (not yet listed on CapyFinder), calls itself the birthplace of the original Capybara Outdoor Bath. Keepers first filled a warm bath for the capybaras in winter 1982, and watching the family doze in the steam has since become a famous Izu winter tradition.

2026–27 bath season dates

According to the zoo’s official site, the Original Capybara Open-Air Bath runs from Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Sunday, April 4, 2027:

• Weekdays: once a day, 13:30–14:30
• Weekends, holidays, and peak periods: twice a day, 10:30–11:30 and 13:30–14:30

The zoo notes that the schedule can change or be canceled based on the animals’ health and the weather. Its tip: the capybaras can stay in the bath for about an hour, so you’ll find smaller crowds if you come a little after the start.

The yuzu bath

Around the winter solstice, the zoo floats bright yellow yuzu citrus in the water, following the Japanese custom that a yuzu bath on the solstice keeps colds away. The 2026–27 season marks the 30th anniversary of the capybara yuzu bath, which started in 1996. It’s also 60 years since the zoo began keeping capybaras in 1966. Expect a festive season.

More onsen capybaras around Japan

Izu Shaboten isn’t the only zoo with bathing capybaras. Since 2015, it has had a Capybara Outdoor Bath agreement with Nagasaki Bio Park, Saitama Children’s Zoo, Nasu Animal Kingdom, and Ishikawa Zoo. All five commit to holding outdoor baths every year. None of these are on CapyFinder yet, but they’re worth checking if you’re traveling outside the Izu area.

Travel tips for a capybara trip to Japan

1. Go in winter for baths. If hot-spring capybaras are the dream, plan for late November through early April. Cafes are open year-round.
2. Book cafes early. Cafe Capyba opens bookings up to two weeks ahead, and popular slots disappear fast. Set a reminder.
3. Pack socks. Many animal cafes in Japan expect you to remove shoes or wear socks inside.
4. Go scent-free. Leave the perfume and strong lotions at the hotel.
5. Build in buffer days. Cafes and zoos may close or change schedules for animal health. Have a backup plan.
6. Plan your Izu day. Izu Shaboten is in Ito, Shizuoka, so it works best as a day trip or an overnight from Tokyo. Pair it with a real onsen stay so you can soak too.
7. Respect the animals. No grabbing, chasing, or flash-heavy photo sessions. Staff will step in if guests stress the animals.
8. Check official sites the day before. Bath times, cafe hours, and prices can shift.

Not going to Japan? Capybaras closer to home

Can’t make the flight? The US has its own capybara cafes. Check out The Capybara Café (St. Augustine) and The Capybara Café (St. Petersburg) in Florida, or CapyFriends Cafe at North Georgia Wildlife Park. You can browse every spot on our locations page.

FAQ

When can I see capybaras in hot springs in Japan?

At Izu Shaboten Zoo, the 2026–27 open-air bath season runs November 21, 2026 to April 4, 2027, with baths at 13:30 on weekdays, plus 10:30 on weekends, holidays, and peak periods.

How much does a capybara cafe in Tokyo cost?

When we checked, Capyneko’s Kichijoji shop charged ¥2,800 for 40 minutes with capybara and cats, and its Harajuku shop charged ¥3,850. Treats were ¥550 extra.

Do I need a reservation for Tokyo capybara cafes?

Yes. Capyneko requires online prepaid reservations, with walk-ins only when there’s space. Cafe Capyba takes reservations only through its website, up to two weeks ahead.

Can young children visit capybara cafes in Tokyo?

It depends on the cafe. Cafe Capyba requires guests to be 6 or older. Capyneko admits kids under 1 for free, and children under 12 need a guardian.

Are these Japanese venues on CapyFinder?

Not yet. They’re marked as not yet listed. If you’ve visited, you can suggest a spot to help us add them.