"Owl Castle" (Joto, Hirosaki City) opened near the East Exit of JR Hirosaki Station on February 1.

The same store where you can enjoy the cafe while watching and touching the owl. Opening one after another in Tokyo has been a hot topic in recent years as an "owl cafe". This is the first owl cafe to open in Tohoku. On February 1st, which was the first day of the opening, there was a line of about 40 people before the store opened, "Erica Hachinohe said," We opened the store earlier than usual. "

"Owls are creatures that prey on other birds and mammals, but artificially hatched owls are gentle and easy on humans. When you stroke your head, you have a laughing look," he said. Hachinohe talks. Mr. Hachinohe himself was a owl addict, and he laughed when he started the store because he wanted to keep a lot of owls.

He started keeping owls in May last year and started preparing to open the store two months later. He went to Tokyo many times and learned the ecology of owls from experts. He has had an experience of raising animals such as dogs and ferrets, but recalls, "Owl breeding is more difficult than I imagined.

The site area is 37 tsubo and the number of seats is 24. The cafe space is separate from the owl breeding space, and you can enjoy owl viewing only through the glass. Currently, there are 10 owls of 7 types in total. Some of the precious chicks are about a month old. “I think there are few opportunities to see owl chicks that grow up in 3 to 4 months at the zoo,” says Hachinohe. "We want to make the store an opportunity for family communication through the owl," he says.

The price is 1000 yen per hour with one drink (elementary school students and younger = 500 yen). Included in the price is a photo taken with a camera or smartphone you bring (no flash) and feeding. Staff will follow how to touch the owl and how to communicate. You also need to follow the instructions to rest the owls every 10 minutes. A food menu with owl motifs and alcohol are also available. They also sell goods and owls at the store (negotiable).

Business hours are from 11:00 to 20:00.