Hogoken Cafe & Restaurant Higashi-dotombori — Restaurant in Osaka

It took me a month before deciding to post this review. I’ve calmed down and am certain I’m not posting this impulsively. I visited this dog cafe because it was near my Airbnb and I was missing my own dog back home and saw they had great reviews. I stayed for almost 90mins but the entire time I was not relaxed. In fact a lot was running through my head, I wished I had the power and money to rehome or adopt these dogs. I reflected on whether I should have came here at all. I really hesitated to post this review. If nobody supported this business what will happen to the dogs? But at the same time if we support what would it say about the ethicality of the business? I only visited this place once and my review is just based on this one time. I saw with my own eyes how a particular staff would drag the dog or use force with their hands and legs to small fragile young dogs in order to “discipline” them. I understand there is a certain need to maintain peace and ensure the dogs are trained but there is no way these people are trainers, you don’t use force and fear to train dogs, esp small fragile young dogs. If you haven’t trained them well then don’t open for business. The dogs were scared of this staff, they don’t respect her, they are afraid of her. Each time she lifted her hand up they flinch. Dogs don’t lie, their response only tells me that they are being beaten often enough that each time she lifts her hand they think they are going to get beaten again. My heart really sank. I observed on the wall they were all young puppies, every few mins dogs behind locked in cages will bark and staff will hit the cage loudly to shut them up and you will hear some dogs whining and crying out of fear. It just didn’t sit right with me. If you are a true responsible dog owner you will know what I mean. The dogs look happy because the only time they receive love is when you as customers visit and pay for treats. I do questions where these puppies come from, were they bought or rescued? If the establishment is small, maybe don’t house so many dogs? I’m conflicted, the staff wasn’t rude to me, I’m not complaining about the service. But I really didn’t like what I saw. I blame my own ignorance, I really regretted visiting this place the dogs are all I can think about. Also the signboard did not say Hogoken, it reads Dolbom. Not sure if it’s a change in ownership or rebrand. I felt a need to post this only because I feel they keep stressing on how they are trying their best, and that they are saving these dogs. But I felt what I read wasn’t what I saw at all. Also they were playing Christian music at the background. But it didn’t make me feel peaceful at all. I feel bad for this one star review because I am not trying to close down their business, I need to stand up for these animals and be their voice, so that the humans will do better and improve. At the end of the day, people will go on and lead theirs lives as it is but it is these innocent dogs who will suffer. I will think twice before visiting a dog cafe again because this taught me a huge lesson. Maybe this shop is one of the “better” ones out there hence the great reviews. If you’re reading this and is visiting the cafe, shower the dogs with as much love as possible and if you are a local and have the means, please adopt them. They really deserve so much more. I want to believe these dogs are rescued and not bought. If they were truly rescued then I hope the owner is focusing on finding adopters and giving them their best life possible and not exploiting them for money. All of them are very very very young and have a long life ahead of them. I wish the staff and owner well. And to the owner, sorry for questioning your intentions, if your intentions are truly good, then it is the staff’s behaviour that needs to...

Read all the good reviews about this dog cafe and decided to make a visit on 23 Dec 2019. We were greeted outside the door by the owner who was very pleasant and requested us to read some instructions before entering. Upon entering we had to place our bags and jacket aside before entering the doggy area. So best not to bring too big a bag as the place is very cozy. Shoes are allowed and be mindful of the type of fabric material and colour you are wearing; I wore black and since we were made to sit on a cushion on the floor (before that, we were requested to sit on a bench and given a menu to place our orders. Owner then gave some pointers on how not to scare the dogs) I had dog's hair all over my pants but the cafe is very thoughtful as they provided sticky roller which save me from picking every strand out from the fabric. We were given a blanket to place over our crossed legs and almost immediately a super cute dog hopped on the blanket and found himself a comfortable position to settle in. Absolutely adorable! The place didnt smell and dogs were clean and well taken care of. We ordered their beef toast which was delicious; ingredients were fresh and the mocha was awesome too. We were brought up to level 2 for our meal inside a warm cozy room (washroom and wash basin are available on this floor too). We were given the privacy as we ate and the overall experience was superb, not intimidating. Love the praise and worship songs that were playing in the background as we spent time with the dogs :) Definitely will...

We were welcomed very poorly as the chubby lady who looked in charge let us in with no smile and instructed us how to 'behave' in the cafe.

When a customer with a naturally high pitched voice excitedly greeted the dog, the same chubby lady told the customer off as the small greeting would startle the dogs. Ironically, the same lady kept on pulling the dogs' leashes with great force where the dogs kept on wincing. Wouldn't yanking the dogs' leashes startle the dogs even more? Or isn't the word 'startle' too lenient in this case?

Moreover, when another customer asked a simple question of 'what is this dog's name?', the same chubby lady who was gripping the dog on the leash while looking at her phone, replied coldly, 'look at the wall, the names are written there'. The chubby lady did not even look at the customer while replying and showed no interest in engaging with them, almost looking as if she wished the customers would leave soon.

The drinks also tasted very poor; I couldn't believe that such unappetizing drinks could even exist. The coffee tasted as if it was diluted multiple times and the texture was very unpleasant. Furthermore, the same chubby lady who took the order was very unenthusiastic and talked rudely.

I have read many dissatisfied comments from previous years, however, it seems like nothing has changed, and I have little hope that this cafe would improve in the following years. I would not recommend this cafe where the chubby lady treats the customers as if they are low...