Swooping into a New Owl Cafe in Tokyo: Akihabara's Owl no Mori

Pet Owl Obsession Turned Cafe: Behind Owl no Mori

After having the time of my life in this forest full of teeming wildlife, I was curious about what kind of people were running the place. So, I came back yet another time with many questions.

When I asked why they decided to open Owl no Mori, the owner told me that he had always been very fond of owls and had been keeping them as pets for more than 10 years. Since the pet owl industry in Japan is very closed, there had always been a barrier for general people. It had been the owner’s longtime dream to create a place where anyone can freely interact with owls and discover everything great about them.

Lots of people take care of dogs and cats starting in childhood, and there’s technically nothing to stop you from doing the same with owls. However, owls that are taken in after adulthood tend to be especially sensitive. You should always keep a certain distance with them, because they are very fragile. Each owl has a different character. They can be shy, aggressive, or sociable. With their sixth sense, they can also understand a person’s heart, so it is very important to raise them with a lot of love. The owls at Owl no Mori are medically examined each week due to their sensitivity. If an owl’s condition is not absolutely perfect, it is taken away to rest.

Since many people may misunderstand the proper care techniques for owls, the people at Owl no Mori are happy to provide support for other owl owners in the city. Knowing the owl’s feeding and sleeping habits along with maintaining their proper temperature is very important. I could definitely tell that Owl no Mori deeply cares for all owls, and I assume that a lot of time, attention and funding go into that. Given all the costs involved, and I really wanted to know why the cafe is so reasonably priced.

So why do they keep their low price services? Well, there are many other owl cafes and shops around town, but Owl no Mori is cut from Disneyland cloth—it wants to be loved by locals rather than just one-time visitors looking to cross owl-watching off their bucket lists. In other words, Owl no Mori wants to create a place for regulars. Although this is only my second time visiting, I am already beginning to feel at home. So if you love owls, forests and living things in general, I definitely encourage you to stop by! If you have already been here, you’ve discovered what I already know: That Owl no Mori isn’t just for the birds.

Thank you for reading my article on my experience at Owl no Mori! Come check out the Forest of Owls the next time you come to Akihabara! You can even take a selfie with the owls, but please don’t bring that ridiculous selfie stick you just purchased inside...