Located in Yanaka, Taito Ward, Tokyo — an area known as the “Cat Town” — Cafe Nekoemon offers a unique experience where visitors can paint lucky “maneki-neko” figurines and enjoy palm-sized cat-themed sweets.
This time, we tried two of the four available cat sweets — the “Black Tabby Cat Éclair” and the “White Cat Rare Cheesecake” — and spoke with staff member Ishizaki about the highlights and special touches behind them.
The café is a 7-minute walk from Sendagi Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, and about a 10-minute walk from Nippori Station, which is served by the JR Joban Line, Yamanote Line, and Keihin-Tohoku Line. Located roughly halfway between Sendagi and Nippori stations, Cafe Nekoemon attracts cat-loving visitors from both Japan and abroad.
For this visit, the author chose to walk from Sendagi Station. After climbing the stairs at Exit 1, a crossroads appears right in front. Cross the intersection toward Mister Donut and simply continue straight ahead.
For the first five minutes or so, you’ll pass a scattering of old-fashioned shops. As you get closer to the café, temples become more common along the way. A gentle slope continues all the way to the destination, creating a calm, pleasant atmosphere that’s perfect for a solo stroll.
Originally, only the specialty shop Yanaka-do, which focused on maneki-neko (lucky cat figurines), operated in the area. However, in response to customers’ requests to “try painting maneki-neko” and the owner’s own dream of “opening a café,” a sister store, Cafe Nekoemon, was launched in September 2016.
If you look up to about waist height for an adult, you’ll spot a ginger tabby cat peeking out from the window. This ginger tabby is actually a lifelike figurine — so realistic that passersby often freeze in surprise, exclaiming, “Whoa, that startled me!”
Inside the café, a lifelike black cat figurine can be found curled up on a counter stool. The space is filled with cat-themed decorations, including cat-shaped clocks, a wide variety of maneki-neko figurines, and cat-motif tableware — creating a paradise for cat lovers. The cozy warmth of the traditional Japanese house and the gentle flow of piano music further enhance the relaxing atmosphere.
When creating the sweets, the main focus is on “how to make them look as cat-like as possible.” This attention to detail is most evident in the Black Tabby Cat Éclair. While the word “éclair” typically brings to mind an oval shape, this particular treat is curved like an upside-down “U” — complete with a tail.
The cakes are made by Margarite Pâtisserie, a long-established bakery located just a five-minute walk from the café. Every morning, the cakes are delivered on foot from Margarite to Cafe Nekoemon, where the café staff hand-decorate each one with cat faces and patterns. For example, the White-Spotted Cat Éclair may feature a heart-shaped spot on its back, while the Black Tabby Cat Éclair sometimes has a “scarab mark” — the three-line pattern often seen on a cat’s forehead. The cat faces come in four variations: wide-open round eyes, a wink, a smiling face with both eyes closed, and a peaceful sleeping expression.
The café’s most popular item, the White Cat Rare Cheesecake, features layers of sponge cake and two types of cheese cream. Special attention is given to creating the cat ears using almond slices and to using “BUKO,” a Danish cream cheese, for the rich, smooth flavor.
The inner layer of cheese cream is made slightly dense and creamy to help maintain the cat-like shape. In contrast, the pure white cheese cream covering the cake offers a delicate flavor with a subtle hint of cheese, and a light texture that melts smoothly in the mouth.
The cakes are small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, making it easy for even women to enjoy two in one sitting. In fact, many customers end up ordering two or more, including the White Cat Rare Cheesecake.
The Black Tabby Cat Éclair is crafted entirely from choux pastry, from its body to its curled tail, capturing the image of a cat curling up. Between the layers of pastry, a generous amount of lightly sweetened cream — a blend of fresh cream and custard — is sandwiched inside. The soft, airy texture of the pastry pairs perfectly with the cream that melts effortlessly in the mouth.
The chocolate coating is firm and adds a delightful crisp texture. Because of the U-shape, the cream inside tends to spill out easily when you bite into it, so it’s best to eat it carefully. The White-Spotted Cat Éclair has the same filling; only the cat’s pattern and the chocolate coating are different.
Other offerings include the Black Cat Mont Blanc, the White-Spotted Cat Éclair, the Pannecotta — featuring an adorable cat made from marshmallow — and a year-round selection of eight types of baked goods such as cookies and madeleines. You can also visit just for the café experience, and some customers even enjoy three sweets by themselves. The number of sweets available each day is limited: on weekdays, only two of each type are sold, and on weekends, four of each (with slight increases during special events). The popular White Cat Rare Cheesecake and Black Cat Mont Blanc often sell out by around 1 p.m., even on weekdays.
In addition, Cafe Nekoemon actively holds events related to cats and good fortune, together with its sister store Yanaka-do, to celebrate special days such as “Cat Day” on February 22, “Good Fortune Day” on September 29, “World Cat Day” on August 8, and “Nyan Nyan Day” on the 22nd of every month.
By the way, Yanaka-do specializes in maneki-neko (lucky cat figurines) and features over 100 figurines in the shop, displayed in five different body types. The sight of the adorable maneki-neko lined up in every corner is truly captivating.
This is a perfect place for those who love cats but can’t have one at home, or for anyone hoping to find sweets or maneki-neko that resemble their beloved feline.
Visitors are warmly welcomed by a charming array of unique and characterful maneki-neko.
The prices are as follows: each cake is ¥440 (tax included), the drink set is ¥880 (tax included), and the Pannecotta is ¥550 (tax included). Cakes are available for both dine-in and takeout.
Cafe Nekoemon
Address: 5-4-2 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0001, Japan
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
Parking/Bicycle Parking: Not available
Phone: +81-3-3821-0090
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