The Lucky Cat Museum is owned and operated by a local collector named Micha Robertson. This "house" houses more than 700 cats and cat-themed items. More specifically, this is also a gathering place for Lucky Cats - also known as Maneki Neko, which in Japanese means beckoning cats, with one paw raised in a welcoming gesture. In Asia (including Vietnam), you will see this cat behind the glass doors of shops or at the checkout counters and receptions in restaurants everywhere.
Maneki Neko were considered lucky charms during the Edo period in Japan. And collectors today continue to believe that these happy cats will bring good luck to those who display them. If so, Micha Robertson must have the luckiest of all! She began collecting Lucky Cat items more than a decade ago. When her collection outgrew her home, she decided to move them to Cincinnati's Essex Studios, a former garment factory converted into an artist's studio. The collection has since grown and has become the Lucky Cat Museum, one of several Maneki Neko museums around the world.
It is now home to over 700 lucky cats in various forms, from household items such as lamps and clocks to plush toys, paintings, clothing, key chains, bells, books and stationery, and even expensive collections crafted by Japanese designers. The museum even boasts a cat-themed casino, a bank, and a giant inflatable Maneki Neko cat on the premises.
You can interact with a variety of Lucky Cat "formats" in this quirky museum, from a golden egg machine to a karaoke toy. One of the tourist attractions of Lucky Cat is its lovely mix of retro vinyl records, high-end artwork, and fun children's games. Whether you're an antiques enthusiast or just a cat lover, you'll find something to fascinate you here. And make sure you know whether to raise the cat's left or right paw when owning a Maneki Neko! Robertson shares that people who raise the cat's right paw often wish for prosperity, while cats raising their left paw will bring more customers to your store.
The Lucky Cat Museum also has limited hours to accommodate Robertson's schedule. You can visit the museum Tuesday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There are four extended hours each year, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., usually during Cincinnati's arts program. A visit to the museum typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes, and be sure to bring your camera to capture the many cute cat photos.
Ohio's Lucky Cat Museum
- Address: 2511 Essex Pl, Cincinnati, Ohio, Japan
