Tokyo’s CAPYBARA CAFE! (Kichijoji + Inokashira Park)

We make our way to Tokyo’s Kichijoji neighborhood to visit the Capyneko Capybara and Cat Cafe! Japan has a huge variety of animal cafes, so we did our research to find one with animals that are treated nicely and like the attention! :) We also stop by Garage 50 for some local pizza, explore the shopping arcades, and relax in Inokashira Park!
We're Brandi & Alan, full-time travelers and creators since 2018. We post fun vlogs and informative guides to both document our travels and help you on your own journey.
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Planning your own trip to the Capyneko Cafe? Check out our full written guide on our blog!: ifwegoto.com/tokyo-capyneko-c...
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:21 Garage 50 (Japanese Pizza)
2:43 The shopping arcades
3:26 the Capybara cafe!
6:52 Inokashira Park and the Spicy Vending Machine
9:00 Dinner!
9:56 Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more adventures! :D

[@akas224]

the entrance fee is used to protect wild animals and environment. actually those cafes are run by volunteers.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Well that certainly makes us happy to hear!

[@lukass_9056]

That makes no sense, if they were really interested to help animals, the wouldnt put them into a cafe…

[@acidity5955]

@@lukass_9056well, i could be wrong but i assume they are rescue animals that can’t be released back into the wild.

[@with_me_JAPAN]

Love how you guys introduce Tokyo's local areas! It's interesting to see you guys capture Japanese sceneries too. Reminds me of how much I miss traveling abroad! Keep up the great work and hope you enjoy more of Japan!😍

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ahh thank you so much!! We're very happy you enjoyed it!! And we love the local neighborhoods!! We definitely plan on seeing more of Japan!!

[@MrZakebo]

Adding to the list of places to see when I go to Japan 😁

[@IfWeGoTo]

Definitely worth a visit!! It was such a cute and fun thing to do!

[@MrZakebo]

@@IfWeGoTo I did it, it was amazing

[@aigaming3577]

Same here

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ahh so sorry I just saw this! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hope you have fun!!!

[@TheMagicShow_]

My wife and I are planning our honeymoon to Japan in March and we just found all your vids. Love your adventures and content. Thank you and keep it up! :)

[@IfWeGoTo]

That's so amazing!! Do you think you will make it for Sakura season?? Hope you have an amazing trip!! And thank you, we are so happy youve enjoyed it!!

[@TheMagicShow_]

@@IfWeGoTo omg we just checked and it looks like we are! Didn’t even realize! Thanks for letting us know 😅

[@IfWeGoTo]

So awesome! You guys will surely have a great time! 😊

[@SwirlyisCool]

The cafe is by far the best part of my trip in Japan. 💕

[@ChrisandCourt]

That capybara was way bigger than I was expecting haha such a cool experience.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Haha it was huuuuge!!! Definitely worth it! 😂

[@drflash36]

Adult Capybaras can weigh nearly 150 lbs or more! See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capybara for details.

[@JourneywithJenandDrew]

YAAAYYY we’ve been waiting for this one 😂❤️❤️ I had no idea their feet looked like that either lmaoo. I’ve been on the capybara algorithm on insta so petting one is definitely on my bucket list now haha

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hahahaha they are interesting animals!! 😂 Duuuude we’re on the cat one. Maybe we should be looking up capybaras more. Hahaha

[@TheBassUp]

I know when it comes to animal café, it's not the ideal environment for any animals but the fact that you did your research and looked up the reviews of each cafe before going, makes a good impression on me. Keep up the context!! 😀

[@IfWeGoTo]

For sure, we know some of the cafes can be quite controversial! But some cafes do treat the animals well and pick good animals!! We've read that owl cafes are among the worst, and parrot the best.. which makes sense picking social animals to be around people! :D Thank you so much for watching!!

[@user-pu5ui2sg4w]

ようこそ日本へ！　二人の旅行がハッピーでありますように願ってます。

[@IfWeGoTo]

どうもありがとう！私達はそれが大好き！！ :D

[@tomatooshima5700]

cool! welcome to japan:) enjoy the trip!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you very much!! We love Japan and appreciate your warm welcome!!

[@hegaukatze1599]

The Park is beautiful🌿

[@IfWeGoTo]

It was gorgeous! Definitely need to head back when the fall colors start to show!

[@hegaukatze1599]

@@IfWeGoTo yes!

[@louisecallanta5968]

Love this!

[@IfWeGoTo]

It was so fun!! lol

[@RaymondwLin]

This is a fun episode! There is quite a popular and locally famous Yakiniku restaurant near the entrance of the park. It's very delicious!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thanks Raymond!! Glad you enjoyed it!! That's awesome, do you know the name of the restaurant? We are hoping to return to the park when there are more fall colors!

[@RaymondwLin]

@@IfWeGoTo It's call Iseya Koen-ten (I was told by a walking guide when i went to the Ghibli museum, it's a very local place but they do have english menu too)

[@jiren7847]

Wow this is where I live, but I didn't know the pizza place. I will definitely check it out on this weekend😋

[@IfWeGoTo]

What a cool spot to live!! garage 50 was really good!! We were genuinely impressed with it. And the owner is very nice too! :D

[@tammielee3476]

So cool to live in Tokyo! Such a vibrant city!

[@masahiro3972]

Hello 😄 I enjoyed today too 👍 Capybara cafe ❓ I learned about Capybara Cafe for the first time ❗️ It must have been cute 💕 Pizza baked in front of me 🍕 It looks delicious and I envy you 😊 I'm looking forward to the next trip to Japan 😄

[@IfWeGoTo]

It was so cute!! definitely worth visiting on your next trip! Where will you visit from?

[@masahiro3972]

I'm Japanese😄I live in Osaka❗️I'm using translation software to make comments in English😊Please come to Osaka too👍

[@IfWeGoTo]

Oh awesome!! We will visit Osaka in a few weeks!!

[@masahiro3972]

I'm looking forward to the video of my stay in Osaka😄Namba and Shinsaibashi are lively, but Umeda is also a great place👍For food in Osaka, please try takoyaki, kushikatsu, and izakaya❗️ Have a nice trip❗️

[@asuranrocks]

omg im going to that capy neko cafe! cant wait

[@IfWeGoTo]

Awesome!!! So excited for you!! When are you going!! 😃

[@mejn10]

So beautiful stay safe

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!

[@user-ls8fk4xw5y]

こんにちは。カピバラと猫が一緒のお店初めて見ました。私は猫大好きなので、すごく癒されました😊可愛いですね💕

[@IfWeGoTo]

とてもキュートなアイデアで、仲が良さそうでした！楽しんでいただけてとても嬉しいです！楽しい経験でした。共有できてよかったです。 :D

[@user-ls8fk4xw5y]

@@IfWeGoTo また次の動画も楽しみに待ってます♪

[@IfWeGoTo]

ありがとうございました！！うまくいけば、それはすぐにアップします！ :D

[@megangray3041]

I went to the Capyneko cafe a few years ago just before Covid, it was so cute! The capy was named Toshi, not sure if that's the same one or not.

[@IfWeGoTo]

So glad you got to experience it too!! It was very cute! I am not sure of the capy's name this time, someone in the comments said they are only kept there "working" for a limited time, but I have no clue! Maybe if we make it back we can try asking! :D

[@rno5277]

Welcome to my hometown!!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you for welcoming us! We love it so much!!

[@takeru2702]

Great video! From japan

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!! Happy you enjoyed it 😃

[@LoveMusic-kt7cc]

日本に来てくれてありがとう😊💕楽しんでくださいね😉✨ 井の頭公園には動物園もありますよ🦊

[@IfWeGoTo]

私たちを歓迎してくれてありがとう！ 彼らが動物園を持っていることを知りませんでした!!

[@LoveMusic-kt7cc]

少し小さめの動物園です😊

[@hanyue6174]

lmao a capybara cafe, how interesting haha

[@IfWeGoTo]

It was interesting indeed!! lol

[@hanyue6174]

@@IfWeGoTo if your heading to Tokyo station, theres a strip inside called Character street (have things like the pokemon store etc) there is actually a capybara softtoy shop lol

[@IfWeGoTo]

@@hanyue6174 Whattt that sounds so cool!! Another thing we're going to have to look out for!! lol

[@IfWeGoTo]

Aw man! Hate when that happens!! But thank you for the new link!!

[@hanyue6174]

@@IfWeGoTo heh its still a pretty cool place to check out, lots of character related good shops you won't probably ever see else where lol

[@abrahamhernandez7782]

🙏🙏👍👍

[@Vanessa-eq7ly]

My Boyfriend and I go to Tokyo in 2 weeks. I wold like to go to the Capybara Cafe too. Where can we book a slot for this? :) Nice Video!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!! Hope you guys have an amazing trip!! Their website is capyneko.cafe Hope that helps!! 😃

[@thebluereason]

I can't believe you found pizza that cheap in Tokyo!

[@IfWeGoTo]

It was actually really good too!!!!

[@firmanluky]

Massbrooo

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thanks

[@firmanluky]

@@IfWeGoTo now in my country capybara is called masbro=dude that is meme

[@crisyorke1328]

Cabybaras are the most chilled (XXL) guinea pig.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hahaah that is exactly what they’re like!!

[@shoo7356]

We have a silly jinx that a couple would be seperated if they take a boat together there.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hahaha good thing we didn’t then!!!

[@saquita51]

吉祥寺は時々行くけどカピバラカフェは知らなかった。🤣

[@IfWeGoTo]

それは短い旅行の価値があります!!!

[@lovelylisa-tw2kg]

How did you make an appointment for the capybara cafe? I tried online with google translate but their site wouldn’t accept my English alphabet email. They don’t accept DM on Instagram and neither does their email address.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hmm I’m not sure! We just were able to use their website. We did have to use a generator to get our names in Furigana but we did just use our normal emails! Have you tried a different browser? Sometimes that can help because websites can be coded so differently!

[@EleanorW0018]

if you want to order anything if you finish with Onegaishimasu or kudasai :) it will be like ordering properly and if you want 1 you'd say hitostu and for 2 futatsu :)) (whereas numbering would be different for people or different things) hope this helps :))

[@EleanorW0018]

I might have to go with my friends to the capybarra cafe though, it looks so cute!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ohhh thank you!! This will help a lot!! I was actually wondering how to order multiple things !!

[@IfWeGoTo]

You should!! It was very fun!!

[@EleanorW0018]

@@IfWeGoTo No worries at all! the Japanese counting system is quite confusing when you don't really know it, but you'll get the hang of it in no time ☺️

[@cashee5260]

I've watched many documentaries and videos on these animals. I've only heard it be pronounced kapuh-bear-uh and not cappy-bar-uh. Where did you learn of this pronunciation??

[@IfWeGoTo]

Uhh I’m not sure… were the documentaries/videos you watched in a different language or accent perhaps? 😅 I’ve only heard it pronounced the way we said it! But we’re also only familiar with it being done in American and British English!

[@Minirow]

You pulled up?!!!

[@IfWeGoTo]

pulled up? like visited??

[@Minirow]

@@IfWeGoTo Pulled up, hopped out at the capybara cafe, with you and a friend, but you didn't get naughty. :)

[@IfWeGoTo]

I am a bit confused!! Hahaha

[@AgentJoke]

Ada Masbro

[@IfWeGoTo]

I never knew they called them masbros, you learn something new every day, eh?

[@AgentJoke]

@@IfWeGoTo top 5 Indonesian Masbro:kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6fMlpuehZ6MmJY

[@user-zy6rh3fl2h]

カピバラさわりたい(*^^*)

[@IfWeGoTo]

とても楽しい体験です!!間違いなく価値があります！uwu

[@kei07210]

素晴らしく満喫していますね、楽しそう🎵 大阪や京都に行ったら、和食レストランで熟練者の美しい包丁さばきを堪能して下さいね。 天ぷら屋、うなぎ屋などの専門店なら、何を注文すればいいか分からなくても問題ないです👌 一般的に好まれるセットやコース料理が必ずあるので、メニューはお店に選んでもらって、予算で決めたら良いです。ランチは10〜20ドル、ディナーは20〜30ドル位。予約をしてなくても、親切に教えてくれるので心配無用です。 あ！神戸ビーフは100〜150ドルくらいしますよ。 旬の果物の柿(Kaki)を、スーパーで買って食べてみてね。一個約1ドル。ナイフで皮を剥かないといけないです。 甘いお酒は飲めますか？梅酒(Ume shu )、柚酒(Yuzu shu)は美味しいですよ✨

[@IfWeGoTo]

とてもクールなことでした！ :D 今回の旅行で京都と大阪に行きます！！そんなお店を目指します！ もし私たちが神戸に行くなら、そこで牛肉を食べるのが一番いいと思いますか? ゆず酒美味しそうですね！！

[@kei07210]

私なら、観光地でブランド牛は食べません。大阪が良いと思います！ 和牛の赤ちゃんはほぼ全て日本の南部の九州地方で誕生して、その後どこで育ったかが異なるだけなのです。 大阪は日本の台所と呼ばれています。お店が多くて、競争力があるので良心的です。 ブランド牛で無くても、普通の和牛であればそれほど違いは無いです。 大阪でしゃぶしゃぶ屋さん(Shabu shabu)で食べれば、和牛を楽しめますよ🌱🌱 50〜80ドル(8000円〜12000円)くらいです😋

[@kei07210]

しゃぶしゃぶ( Shabu shabu)は、こんな料理です。 旬の椎茸というキノコも食べれますよ🌱 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqiUdKSVidtpg5o

[@ichirokun1662]

日本語で失礼します 東京のジブリ美術館より11/1～open→愛知県のジブリの方が広い公園で見やすいそうです 来年も施設が増えるそうです

[@IfWeGoTo]

スタジオジブリのチケットを手に入れるのはとても難しいことに気づきました。この旅行に間に合うとは思いません。 :(

[@IfWeGoTo]

私たちは確かにいつの日か！それに合わせてジブリ美術館やテーマパークも計画していかなければなりません！

[@tacchanoshima4569]

Hi!! Do you enjoy in Japan?!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Yes!! We love it

[@fabioino7474]

Como uma capivara foi parar no Japão?

[@IfWeGoTo]

japão há mais de 50 anos para zoológicos!

[@phrandomcatvideos]

IS THIS WHERE INA WENT?

[@IfWeGoTo]

Not sure who Ina is!! Who are they??

[@ChaldeaWarmaster]

@@IfWeGoTo its the name of a vtuber from hololive. Full name: Ninomae Inanis

[@lokasenja]

Too bad in my country there are no masbro

[@IfWeGoTo]

What is your country??

[@lokasenja]

@@IfWeGoTo Indonesian

[@alexnogoy2524]

Great 😃👍 city 🏙️ much better than America and Europe !

[@IfWeGoTo]

To each their own!! For us Tokyo is certainly our favorite modern city!

[@muhammadsyamil7804]

Njir masbro

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!

[@user-fh6vx3uf5e]

東京は、何でも商売にしちゃう街ですね。カピバラカフェなど思いもつかなかった。ただ、フクロウにしろ、ウサギにしろ、カピバラにしろ。癒しですよね。アメリカ人はどう思っているんだろう。癒しを求めて、そう言ったカフェを造るのは。日本は環境が貧しいんだと思うかも知れませんね。数十年前にアメリカを訪れた時。何か　ゆとり　を感じました。日本はせわしない。Brandiさんは、どう思いますか？

[@IfWeGoTo]

動物たちと過ごす時間は、間違いなくセラピー効果があります。 訪問者として、私たちは本当に日本を楽しんでいます。アメリカは今、少し緊張しています。しばらくの間、それを逃れることができてうれしいです。 日本は忙しいですが、人の数を考えるととてもうまく機能しています！

[@106460]

The 'g' in 'Ghibli' is pronounced like a 'j'. Think 'ginger'.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ohhh gotcha!! We’d always heard it both ways, but it’s a bit of debate in America!! Hahaha

[@purberri]

I don’t believe animals should be kept strictly for entertainment especially owls and exotic animals. It’s not a natural life for them. Capys are social animals and love water. I wonder if these ever see water living in a cafe.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hmm, I guess I am always a bit torn on this topic. On one hand I totally agree, it is not right to pull wild animals from their natural habitat and force them into a life of captivity... On the other hand... some of these animals are born in captivity and socialized with humans from birth... they likely would not survive in the wild. What do we do with these ones? And getting to interact with (certain) animals in zoos or other more domestic settings can inspire an interest and lead people to care more about these creatures and their natural environments. I also agree that some animals are absolutely not suited to being constantly socialized.. but some are pretty docile and even enjoy it! It would definitely be sad if this capybara never got to leave the cafe and I do hope they have some more space or get time in the water, but I would say it seemed pretty happy, healthy, and well taken care of. Question: Capybaras are closely related to guinea pigs, which are commonly kept as house pets. What would you think of a guinea pig cafe? Where do we draw the line?

[@SwirlyisCool]

[Edit since I was on mobile and to add more info] The little room/pen area has a bath tub that gets filled with water during after hours. There's even an outdoor balcony that the Capy can retire to if it desires. Logistically, having the water always accessible is not possible for many reasons. The Capy does get breaks during the day and may request to go into its pen for a little swim or to use the restroom. In fact, the pen area is where the Capy stays while it resides at the cafe. Keep in mind that this isn't the only Capy. The cafe planned on having two Capys at the time but it didn't work out, which is why there's only one at a time. However, the Capys work in shifts where every few months or so they switch out instead, and non-working Capys go live together elsewhere. It's unknown how many Capys there actually are since the cafe's social media account often use nicknames and their website doesn't list all the Capys down. It is also unknown if some had been rehomed or passed recently either. I think there are at least four, with Kikurage and Tawashi being the most well known because they have the most videos and pictures taken by patrons online; they are also the most senior. The other Capys of the cafe based on history and social posts include Tororo, Toshi, Kyuu, and Suki. When the Capys are not working, they're most likely in a separate sanctuary that is much roomier and would allow the Capys to interact with their own kind. While having one Capy at the cafe while others rest up doesn't seem ideal, it is not a huge difference to the Capys to see one person being away. Capys see the cats and humans at the cafe like how we see people when we're at school or work; we're not at home or around people who aren't necessarily related to us but we get along regardless and know we'll head home eventually. Capys also view the staff taking them to the cafe like how we see our teachers and babysitters; we trust these people who aren't related to us to care for us or our children while they take them away. The Capys also started their careers at the cafe when they were really young too, so they're all accustomed to the routine well enough that they're willing to go when needed. As for the cats, a few of them are permenant residents but the rest are fosters. The cafe doubles as a fostering program that runs TNR (trap, neuter, release), using the profits from the cafe to do so. The cafe works with transition fosters to their next foster homes and even used to work as an adoption agency. Most likely due to COVID, they no longer do adoptions and focus more on fostering instead. As a result, some of the cats also get switched out too. All of the animals are vetted and spend time bonding together before they are seen together at the cafe as well. The cafe's Instagram is their only social media account right now but it documents news and the conditions of the Capys and the cats often. This is where I get a lot of the information about how the Capys are cared for. There's also the knowledge of knowing what a well-treated Capy looks like (puffed up when happy, willing to socialize, good coat quality, healthy eyes, good appetite), and the Capy in the video as well as the one I saw when I came to the cafe ticked the boxes. Of course, having a cafe doesn't give the absolute ideal environments and discourse between using animals in such a way and whether it is ethical is still an important thing to discuss. The cafe is rather open about the struggles it had to ensure the environment of the place is well suited, as they have posted things like explaining why they are unable to have two Capys at a time and their experiences with TNR. They brief patrons on how to interact with both the cats and Capy Sorry for the long comment. Just wanted to assure you that this cafe does treat their animals very well despite them being used as entertainment.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you for the very thorough reassurance!! This makes us very happy to hear!! We did think the capybara seemed pretty happy and taken care of, but knowing she really is makes it even better! 😊

[@user-xj5yt6pi9k]

今日は日本語字幕無い感じか

[@IfWeGoTo]

それらを追加しただけです!!ビデオが投稿されるまで追加できず、処理に少し時間がかかります! ただし、それらは今すぐ実行する必要があります。 :D

[@user-jb7xd1op9k]

カピパラはやばくない?最近かまれてケガしたと問題もでてるし　危険だと思うw

[@IfWeGoTo]

彼らは従順な動物ですが、他の動物と同様に敬意を持って扱われなければなりません。 脅かされたり怖がったりすると噛むことがあります。 これらのカフェは、おそらく常連客を注意深く監視する必要があります。