In a renovated house in Japan's capital, residents begin their morning routine alongside their feline roommates. The daily rhythm includes feeding, cleaning and caring for rescue cats who share the space while awaiting adoption.
This is NYA_AGO, a unique co-living concept where human tenants help care for rescue cats in exchange for lower rent. The model transforms traditional shared housing into a community-based animal welfare solution.
From One House to Four
Yuko Tojo, 40, launched the concept in 2020 with one property and three stray cats. Today, she operates four locations across Tokyo, Kawasaki and Zushi, housing 13 rescue cats across the facilities alongside human tenants who assist with daily care.
The properties include locations in Kawasaki's Oda and Nakahara wards, Tokyo's Ota Ward, and Zushi City in Kanagawa Prefecture. The model has attracted support particularly from single residents and young professionals seeking both affordable housing and meaningful community engagement.
"Full renovations cost a lot of money. So I do most of the work myself using DIY materials from Temu." - Yuko Tojo
To keep startup and operational costs manageable, Tojo turned to e-commerce platform Temu for supplies and decor. The strategy has proven essential to the project's growth.
"I want people and cats to live in spaces they truly love. That's why I focus on creating cute, comforting interiors. But full renovations cost a lot of money. So I do most of the work myself using DIY materials from Temu," Tojo said.
Cutting Costs to Save More Lives
Tojo sources essential supplies through Temu, including cat furniture, toys, scratching posts, cleaning equipment and decorative elements.
Tojo said buying these items in bulk on Temu has cut monthly operating costs by about 50%, allowing funds to be redirected to facility upgrades and veterinary care.
"Without Temu, we probably couldn't have grown the shared houses to this scale," Tojo said.
Building Community
The facilities have expanded their mission beyond accommodation, hosting adoption events, cat photo exhibitions, and cultural programming in various neighborhoods.
This community-focused approach has transformed NYA_AGO from a simple lodging concept into what Tojo describes as a "hub for the local community," connecting cat welfare advocates across multiple Tokyo neighborhoods.
"I hope to keep using Temu to manage both the initial setup and ongoing costs. My goal is to create warm, welcoming homes for up to 100 rescue cats and expand these shared houses across Japan," Tojo said.