Where has time gone to?
It seems like just last month that I returned from my 8D7N Japan adventures, determined to pen them all down here on this space. Late is better than never, and so I’m back again with my sporadic blog entries (nonetheless, look for me @yinagoh on Dayre, my microblogging site where I update on-the-go, and Instagram (@yinagoh as well) when you miss me!)
Well if you happen to visit Dotonbori in Osaka, stop by Lucky Owl Cafe for a close encounter with these feathery friends!
I’ve looked through various reviews online, and there’s a mixed response towards owl cafe establishments such as Lucky Owl Cafe in Osaka. Some people feel negatively towards the idea of owls being kept in captivity, but I honestly felt that it was a lovely experience for myself, especially when I could see the staff of the cafe treating these beautiful birds with care and love. Most of these owls are also born and bred in captivity, which is a legalized practice in Japan.
In fact, I wasn’t allowed to hold any of the owls on the day that I visited because it was a designated “rest” day for the owls, which I thought was good practice, as these creatures are living things after all and definitely need a break from all those over-excited tourists and customers like myself!
The cafe is a small space located on the second floor of a corner shophouse along Dotonbori.
[ Lucky Owl Cafe ]
1-3-12 Dotombori,
Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0071,
Osaka Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10PM – 8PM
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It’s not difficult to spot at all: Look for that chalk signage as well as this cute fixture at the doorway leading upstairs!
We arrived at a pretty good timing: Around 12.50pm or so? Customers are admitted every hour, and have to leave by a designated time. That means even if you enter the cafe at 12.30PM, you’d need to leave by 1PM for the next batch of customers to be admitted.
As we arrived slightly before the hour, we had to wait for a few minutes before we were let into the cafe. Each customer pays 1000yen (if I remember correctly) for admission, and you’re also served a drink of your choice from the menu. Though of course, don’t expect a spectacular drink since that’s not the selling point of the owl cafe at all.
It was a pretty amazing sight once we stepped into the cafe. Owls of all shapes and sizes were all perched around various corners of the cafe, looking completely unreal!
If you’re wondering about whether it smelled bad, I actually thought that the smell of animal odour was quite mild. Not that I was surprised really, after all, this is Japan we’re talking about.
We were given some ground rules for our time in the cafe: Basically, you can only touch the owls on their beaks, you can’t handle them, no flash photography, no loud noises, etc. I thought it was really good because the ground rules make sure that the owls are treated humanely and with respect.
Majestic white owl was my favourite! What a beautiful specimen!
And me gingerly giving it a pat on the beak with the back of my finger.
YZ loved this googly-eyed owl, heh
Look at that photo of this owl (bottom left) when it was just a tiny fledgling, so fluffy and cute!
This owl totally amused me: I didn’t realise I had multiple shots of this owl in its various shape-shifting modes, did you know that owls can shape-shift as a form of camouflage and to intimidate larger predators?
Angry Scary Owl
Not-so-angry Owl
“I’m actually a Cat not an Owl” Owl
Tooooo cute?! I’ve seen videos of shape-shifting owls but to see it in real life was such a cool experience!
Apart from the big and majestic feathery creatures, we also made friends with these tiny little fluffy things. How cute are they?
Enjoying a petting on its beak
I really liked this little guy, it was wagging its tail feathers from side to side like a puppy! One of the cafe staff said that this is a peculiar quirk of this little owl, every owl has its own distinct personality, and this one happens to wag its tail feathers when its in a relaxed mood.
It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get up close and personal with these beautiful creatures!
Definitely a hoot! Hehehehe. We had a really fun hour at the owl cafe before our time was up!
Accommodation – Roomorama
My accommodation in Japan was booked via Roomorama: I loved all the different apartments I stayed in, with the great accessiblity and well-furbished amenities! Featured above is my Tokyo apartment at Ebisu, my favourite of the lot.
With over 300,000 properties, Roomorama is the largest platform for professionally-managed vacation rentals and accommodations worldwide! Roomorama is giving away US$50 credits so you can get US$50 off your next Roomorama apartment booking!
Wifi Device – VISONDATA
For my past few overseas trips (to Japan, Phuket and Hong Kong so far), I’ve been using VISONDATA pocket wifi and it has always worked wonderfully. VISONDATA wifi is available in 50 countries, and one pocket wifi can be connected to up to 5 different devices!
It’s extremely convenient and handy. I was impressed with the battery life of the pocket wifi device too, because it lasts at least a good 8 hours! I’m constantly updating on social media and checking on emails on-the-go, so that is quite a feat.
Quote “VDSGYINA” when you check out on VISONDATA for 20% off your order!
More Japan posts on the way, so if you’re planning a trip to Japan soon, remember to check back for updates!
xoxo
Japan – September 2015 Itinerary
(Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo)
Narita to Osaka
Day 1: Arrived at Narita > Shinkansen to Osaka > Checked into Osaka accommodation > Dotonburi
Day 2: Universal Studios Japan!
Osaka to Kyoto
Day 3: Kuromon Ichiba Market > Lucky Owl Cafe > Train to Kyoto > Checked into Kyoto accommodation > Dinner at famous OmuRice restaurant
Day 4: Shinkansen to Takayama > Bus to Shirakawago > Back to Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto Kimono rental > Kiyiomizudera > Arashiyama
Kyoto to Tokyo
Day 6: Shinkansen to Tokyo > Checked into Ebisu accommodation > Shibuya
Day 7: Sensoji, Asakusa > Omotesando > Harajuku > Shinjuku
Day 8: Tsukiji Fish Market > Narita Airport Express from Shibuya > Departure at Narita
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