Japan has gained a reputation for having some of the most strange and interesting shops and fandoms. If there is an interest group for it, Japan will most likely have a store or shop that caters to it. One of the most popular types of places is pet cafes in the cities. There are also other specialty bars, shops, and stores that provide a space for any niche hobby or interest. We will look at some of the popular places that many people try to visit during their vacation.

Pet Café

As the name states, this type of café is a normal place where you can get drinks or small foods, with a bonus of small animals that you can interact with. These kinds of cafes have gained popularity and some people go to Japan to experience theses interesting places.

The most common of these are cat cafes, and they are spread throughout the city. You pay a fee at the front and you can spend a set amount of time with the animals. You can purchase treats for the cats and enjoy their company. This is the same for rabbit cafes, hedgehog cafes, and owl cafes. They offer you the ability to enjoy being around animals if you can’t have your own due to your work schedule or housing situation.

You will find some cafes that have other animals as their namesakes as well. Some rabbit cafes have otters that you can hold, feed, and play with. It is an interesting experience to be able to handle and play with pets you may not be able to see or keep as your own.

The downside to these cafes is that in general, it has been shown that the animals are not treated well in some places. Most of the time, the animals are forced to deal with customers, even when they are showing signs of fatigue or agitation. They are said to be given time to sleep alone and recharge, but investigations have shown that they are sometimes pushed out too early to meet customer demand. This is not happening in every café, but some do not follow safe practices when dealing with the animals.

Hobby Café/Bars

These establishments build around the theme of the hobby they promote. There are a plethora of places that fit any person’s interests. Some cater to the airsoft gun craze that many Japanese people enjoy. These places have firing ranges that allow customers to bring their guns for shooting practice. They serve some small beverages and snacks but mostly provide a place for enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby.

The next big establishments are dart bars, which, naturally, cater to people who enjoy the game of bar darts. They have tournaments and allow people time to practice their craft. It is interesting to see how these establishments allow their patrons to enjoy the hobby and interact with others to build their respective communities. These communities are not exclusive, and they welcome anyone who wants to enjoy their hobby. They will help you if you can’t speak Japanese and they will usually enjoy having a foreigner share their hobby.

Special Districts

There are special districts in most cities that are known for pandering to a specific clientele or enthusiast. You can tell these areas apart from the normal ones by looking at the signs and keeping an eye on the type of people walking around. An example would be Harajuku with its penchant for fashion, especially the lolicon style. Many people who enjoy the fashion style go there in full dress for shopping or taking photos. It is interesting to see how they go about performing their interest and they will show you if you want to get involved as well.

Specialty Shops

Specialty shops are not hard to find and will advertise their trade as much as possible. They will have signs out front and around their buildings to pull in their clients. You can find anything from crafts to toys and Legos. They will cater to your hobby or interest with as much product as possible. You will need to go to certain areas of the city for certain kinds of shops, but they are a great way to get a taste of your interest in a foreign country.

You will have little trouble finding some of the more interesting shops in Japan. It has become a bit of a challenge to find some of the most outlandish stuff in japan. It will lead to a great scavenger hunt and you will be able to pursue your interests in the process.