Cover The coolest cat-inspired travel experiences across South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and more. (Photo: The Royal Albatross; Tall Ship Adventures)
The coolest cat-inspired travel experiences across South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and more. (Photo: The Royal Albatross; Tall Ship Adventures)
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Did someone say ‘cat cruise’?
Calling all cat fanatics and feline friends! Pack your catnip and scratching posts because we’re about to embark on a purr-fect Asian adventure.
Did we mention cuddling with cats is scientifically proven to reduce stress and boost mental well-being? Travel, too, is a great way to de-stress and get a fresh perspective on life. Combine the two passions, and you get a wanderlust adventure for the books—a tail as old as time!
From an outdoor playground and park dedicated to our whiskered overlords (think Catopia in Malaysia’s Selangor) to the windswept wonders of Jeju Island, where the cats of Gimnyeong Maze await, there are so many amazing cat-inspired travel experiences in Asia. We look at a few examples below across Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and more.
Read more: Press paws: 3 beautiful pet-friendly spaces in Malaysia
Hello Kitty-themed rooms at Asakusa Tobu Hotel, Tokyo
Above The Wa-Modern room at Asakusa Tobu hotel in Tokyo
Above The Sakura Tennyo room at Asakusa Tobu hotel in Tokyo
The Wa-Modern room at Asakusa Tobu hotel in Tokyo
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Above The room features darker tones of pink and purple with various Hello Kitty paraphernalia
The room features darker tones of pink and purple with various Hello Kitty paraphernalia
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Located just a short walk from Tobu Asakusa station, Asakusa Tobu Hotel is also in easy proximity with other incredible Tokyo attractions such as the Tokyo Mizumachi shopping and dining complex in a green park and the Tokyo Skytree, the largest man-made structure in Japan.
As it turns out, you need not travel far from your own hotel room to snap some Instagram-worthy photos for your cat album, as Asakusa Tobu is also home to 23 unique Hello Kitty–themed rooms. The four-bedroom Sakura Tennyo suite boasts a blush pink palette rife with cherry blossom designs, pink tatami mats and Hello Kitty paraphernalia as far as the eye can see.
See also: Everything you need for your first cat
The second Hello Kitty room also sleeps four but is decked out in more deeper tones of dark pink, purple and maroon, showcasing the character of Hello Kitty in a pretty kimono of the same colour combination.
Fun fact: At one point, the hotel’s restaurant, Seasons Restaurant Ichinoichi, offered a Hello Kitty-themed menu, but it was discontinued in 2023.
A ‘Cat cruise’ onboard The Royal Albatross, Singapore
The Royal Albatross is Singapore's award-winning luxury tall ship
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Are you ready for Singapore’s first ever Cat Cruise aboard the award-winning Royal Albatross? This feline-friendly adventure is designed for fur-parents to sail into the sunset with their tail-wagging companions over a unique sunset dinner, cat masterclasses, and other curated activities.
Pet owners (the appropriate term is cat paw-rents, I believe) will get to enjoy gourmet dining, breathtaking sea views, and mellow entertainment while their cat relaxes in a luxurious private cabin. The Cat Lounge offers a stimulating playground and a gourmet meal trial pack from partner brand PetCubes. Partnering with experts, veterinarians and cat welfare groups, this cruise ensures a safe, enjoyable experience for all cat enthusiasts.
A cat park at Gimnyeong Maze, Jeju, South Korea
Nestled between Manjanggul and Gimnyeongsagul Caves, Gimnyeong Maze Park on Jeju city is as enchanting for humans as it is for the more than 50 wild cats who frolic on its grounds. This unique maze attraction was designed by famed maze designer Adrian Fisher of Minotaur Designs, and lovingly maintained by its founder, the late American professor Dr Frederic H. Dustin, who taught at the Tourism Department of Jeju National University until his retirement in 1994.
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Dr Dustin was very fond of cats. In honour of his memory, the park itself is home to several cats, cared for with daily feedings and medical services provided by Jeju National University. Visitors can even get free healthy snacks from the ticket office to treat the furry residents here in what is known as the first ever cat park in Korea.
Catopia, Selangor, Malaysia
Acknowledging the large cat population in Selangor with a goal to make the state the most cat-friendly in the country, Catopia officially launched in July, an 800-square metre outdoor cat park and playground in the city of Shah Alam. Catopia is meant to be a safe haven for cats as well as a recreational space for pet owners in the neighbourhood.
From 14 colourful ‘cat houses’ to a spirited cat mascot named Oyen, Catopia is an initiative by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA). Khairunnisa Mohd Zaini, a landscape architect at MBSA, reportedly took over a month to design the space after getting input from various cat owners.
Cat Beach Sanctuary, Teluk Bahang, Penang
Imagine a quiet cat sanctuary by the beach, where rescued cats in the area are cared for lovingly under the purview of the local nonprofit Cat Lovers International Society. Admission for visitors can be in the form of donations of RM10 and upwards, or even food or animal care items for the furry rescues. Guests are encouraged to snap photos with these cute kitties and share it on social media to help spread the word about the sanctuary’s work.
Guests can drop by from 9am till late to spend time with the 300 rescued cats in this no-kill sanctuary and learn how they can adopt a stray cat or support the sanctuary. Look out for Cat Beach’s fundraising projects, including a soon-to-come Cat Cafe all in support of the Cat Beach cats.
Interesting in learning more about the cats-in-residence here? Try browsing Cat Beach’s CAT-a-log, an ongoing effort by volunteers to document the some 300 cats living in and around the beach.
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
