Cafe Gallery Nekomaru Sabo (4-26-10 Higashi-Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo) in Tokyo's Arakawa district is popular. Though it's a hidden gem, open only Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 18:00, its cat-themed interior and menu, along with the unique personality of its owner, have made it increasingly well-known. The store's history dates back to 2008, when it opened in Oji, Kita Ward, as the original cat shop, "Ganso Nekosho Maruyama Shoten," a specialty store for cat goods and accessories (now operating an online store under the same name). After four years of interacting with countless cat-loving customers in Oji, the owner decided he wanted to create a "cat gathering place" where cat lovers could relax. Nekomaru Sabo opened on April 29, 2012, "Paw Day." Manager Akiyo Maruyama, herself a dedicated cat lover, manages the cafe. Maruyama also lives with several cats at home. The menu, created by Maruyama, is filled with adorable creations shaped like cat paws or faces. The original cat-shaped macarons are called "Nyakaron," while the Neapolitan is called "Nyapolitan," a Neapolitan with striking eyes made from eggs. The "Nyappuccino" cappuccino, featuring delicate latte art, even offers a service where customers can bring in a photo of their pet and have it custom-made to resemble that pet. Furthermore, the restaurant pays careful attention to the safety of the ingredients used in its dishes and the nutritional balance of its meals, using organic vegetables for the salads that come with its meals. The monthly "Cat Face Curry" is made by simmering seasonal ingredients instead of using a pre-made curry roux. In addition to cat merchandise, the store is also filled with vintage toys, records, and books. This reflects Akiyo's love of Showa-era retro, but surprisingly, Maruyama's clothing itself is also full of Showa-era flair. "I wear kimonos in the shop, and I always choose either my obi or kimono with a cat pattern," she said.

The shop also has another specialty. In the room next to the cafe space, tarot fortune teller Yoko Natsume offers "Cat Tarot" sessions. (Reservations required, 20 minutes for 2,000 yen) As the name suggests, "Cat Tarot" features tarot cards with illustrations of cats. They're so adorable, just looking at them is enough to bring you happiness.

In addition to regular business hours, the shop also hosts an event called "Chikuwabu Night." This event is a rare opportunity to try the wide variety of dishes created by Akiyo, Japan's only "chikuwabu cooking expert," and reservations often fill up early. It's a good idea to keep an eye on the Facebook fan page for announcements.

During both Chikuwabu Night and regular business hours, the cats that live on the second floor of the shop may come to work in the cafe space in the evening, so if you want to meet them, it might be a good idea to come later in the day.