The Yanesen area, close to Ueno in Tokyo, is more popular than ever for travelers seeking “slow travel” and authentic vibes. Here, the streets are lined with one-storied houses, historic temples, and plenty of local cats. In the heart of this district lie two sister shops that are a must-visit for any cat lover: Yanakado and Cafe Nekoemon.
Yanakado: The Maneki Neko Specialist
Just a few minutes from Sendagi Station, you’ll find Yanakado, a specialty store housed in a warm, wooden building that feels like a step back in time.
You’ll find maneki neko (beckoning cats) in every color and design. Their seasonal motifs—like cherry blossoms for spring or irises for early summer—remain top souvenirs.
The maneki neko in green seem to remind you of irises and early summer; they almost have a cooling effect on you.
You can also buy golden or yellow color lucky cats! Maneki Neko have either the right or left paw raised (sometimes both too). The right paw is for inviting good fortune or money while the left is for attracting customers. Both paws raised would mean you invite both but it also can represent protection.
Recently, people have also been fond of maneki neko that have hands risen a lot more than the traditional kind. It represents a positive attitude towards life!
You can also find maneki neko with seasonal designs for each month of the year. Can you recognize some of these seasonal patterns? The January version was sold out, can you guess what it would be?
Their signature 366-day maneki neko is still available. Each cat is unique to a specific day of the year. Finding the cat for your own birthday or a loved one’s remains a highlight of the shop.
Cafe Nekoemon: Paint Your Own Luck
Right next door is Cafe Nekoemon, located in a beautifully renovated house that is now over 90 years old. Here, you can sit and enjoy a quiet break while creating your own original maneki neko.
Along with your drink, you can choose to paint either a small or large size maneki neko.
Because this experience is so popular, reservations are now highly recommended, especially on weekends. You can easily book your time slot through their official website to ensure you get a seat.
You will be given an A4-size sheet of paper, so you can draw rough sketches and practice your design.
You will then be given coloring pens and you can totally let your imagination go wild here!
You can also get inspiration from the cats on the counter.
Anything you like?
Here we go! Looks like a dog, doesn’t it?
So we added a tiny nose and whiskers.
Of course, we had to add our logo on the back to complete our original maneki neko.
Plenty of cat-inspired desserts to choose from too!
There are also traditional Japanese desserts that go well with green tea, so even if you don’t feel like having a western dessert, you could have one of these refreshing treats.
Our maneki neko has been packed. Time to bring it home!
You even get a tiny mat for your maneki neko. It’s perfect to keep on your work desk or by your bedside at home! Did you enjoy reading about these two stores? How about picking Japan’s beloved cat as a souvenir?
