Lucky Cat Museum by Appointment

This was a wonderful experience! I went with a friend and we weren't sure what it was going to be like, but any expectation we had got blown right out of the water. This is such a massive and lovingly curated collection, I feel any cat lovers should probably give it a visit if they can. The owner is so friendly and passionate about her work that it really elevates the whole experience! I really hope they get to keep growing. Also, the gift shop is so adorable, I really hope to be able to return some day 😻

Such a special place! The owners were so passionate and friendly and gave us such a personable tour. All-in we were there for just under an hour, but it is definitely worth checking it out, just make sure to make a reservation ahead of time!

I am a Cincinnati native and this was my first time visiting the Lucky Cat Museum! They don't do advertising, so I heard about it from a friend and knew I had to check it out! Admission was free, which is awesome! The owner was incredibly sweet and welcoming. She was very attentive, but at the same time let us wander around and explore on our own. The museum is not super large, it's the owners personal collection. It took me about 45 minutes to look at everything. There's so much to see in a small space, the more you look, the more you see. There's also a gift shop!! The prices were very fair as well. Donations are accepted, so don't forget to bring some cash!! I'll definitely be telling friends about this hidden gem! 😻

A great use of about an hour. Its more interesting than youd expect and has small interactive zones. Just make sure to make a reservation.

Wasn’t sure what to expect but this little museum was a wonderful find! The owner was very sweet and met us early one morning. Her collection was impressive! Think of the lucky cat concept but expanded 100 fold. Most things are not for sale, but she does have some items for purchase. We were not disappointed.

This place was AMAZING!!! I went here with my family and everyone had a great time. There were also hands on actives for younger kids. There were tons of cats in the collection and the owner was very friendly. She explained a lot about the history of the lucky cat and the culture. She could even explain the history of certain pieces of the collection as well. My personal favorite was the disco cat. Everyone should visit here! (=^･ω･^=)

We love this place!! The most unique place with the best store kitties. Great place to bring friends visiting Cincinnati!

Absolutely wonderful! This museum was so unique and totally exceeded my expectations. Not being super familiar with the lucky cats, I worried it may be overly kitschy, cheap, or repetitive, but the collection ran the gamut from brand tie-ins and children's toys to art pieces and custom-made cats. I was also surprised by how organized it was - rather than a giant personal collection thrown into whatever cases might work (as I may have suspected going in), the museum is laid out in a very thoughtful way with each display highlighting different types, eras, materials, or origins of the cats. It was surprisingly informative too, with meticulous labels that highlight the artists and what makes nearly every piece unique. I learned a lot about the maneki neko that I didn't know before. By far the highlight was the owner! She did a great job of engaging with each visitor while we were there without being intrusive or pushy. I appreciated the way she tailored her conversation to each demographic of visitor - she talked about her personal cats (two of which were at the museum!) and showed off works by children's artists for the young kids who were there, but when my group of late twenties men walked in she talked to us about Junji Ito. She was so passionate and knowledgeable about each piece on display. The museum was a great value (free!) and we loved being able to support them a little at the super reasonably priced and cute gift area afterward. Despite being, really, a single room, the whole museum is filled wall to wall with cute and interesting art and curated with knowledge and love (we spent over an hour and could have stayed longer). Overall a really great surprise and a must-visit for anyone who loves cats or just appreciates off-the-wall unique places.

A bit difficult to sign up for a tour and once you are there it is also a bit hard to find. Go to the big glass door entrance located in the corner of the building. Once inside go to the back and to the right... from there on it is easy because then you will see a big ole lucky cat and the entrance is marked. It is a small museum, but houses thousands of lucky cats. Varieties you have never seen before. Big ones, tiny ones, interactive ones, old ones, new ones.... Enjoy

I don't know where to begin other than to say this was one of the most fun and fantastic experiences I have ever had! If you are a cat person (like me) you will go wild here - and if you are a particular fan of "Fortune Cats" (also like me) your head will explode. A huge inflatable Lucky Cat greets you outside the door, step inside and it's all Lucky Cats, you will be surrounded by Lucky Cats of all sizes, shapes, styles. Don't forget to look under your feet and above your head as well. There are antique lucky cats, giant lucky cats, teeny tiny miniature lucky cats, families, characters, lucky cats used in advertising campaigns, paintings, plushies, Lucky Cat slot machines, and singing/dancing lucky cats which you can activate! The gallery owner/guide is the sweetest lady you will ever meet and she has thorough knowledge of all things Lucky Cat. Fascinating to learn their history, earliest appearances, legends, meaning of which hand is doing the beckoning, historical references, the story behind many of the acquisitions, etc. We spilled over our one hour tour, and the time just went by so fast. But of course, I made sure we visited the gift shop and made a purchase before heading out. It is by appointment only, which is very simple to make on the website. The owner responds instantaneously to text messages and is so helpful. The collection has been building almost 25 years and I hope will continue to grow for many more to come. I hope to visit again before another year goes by. Easy parking in the art studio's lot, and totally accessible for wheelchairs or scooters. Admission fee is donation. Don't forget to sign the guest book!

What a great little hidden gem to discover. I absolutely love and collect lucky cats, so this was a dream destination for me. The owner is wonderful and even explains how and when she acquired many of her feline collectibles. Be sure to make a reservation. And make a purchase in the gift shop to help keep this great free museum going!

You have to go visit this Art Gallery/Museum. It is located in the Essex Studios in Cincinnati, Ohio. We were looking for something new to do in Cincy and absolutely found it. It is a feel good shop and even has some interactive pieces. Micha is the owner and can talk you through what I imagine every piece in her shop. She is full of knowledge and has a passion for her collection/addiction. She even has her own art mixed in with her collection of Lucky Cats which is cool. The Disco Cat and the story behind it was one of my favorites. There are pieces dating back to the late 1800 hundreds all the way through current pieces. The "Mewseum" is open by appointment and you can schedule at the website, or you can text (513) 633-3923 for availability. There is no charge for admission and but groups are small so book in advance. You can make a donation in the tip box to support the shop. We did a donation, as well as picked up a cute gold lucky cat souvenir from the little gift shop to take home with us. Definitely recommend a visit and was nothing but smiles and happiness. You have to go through twice as there is so much to see I found things the second time I missed the first past. Any questions during the visit, just talk to Micha, is makes the visit even better with her guidance. Website: www.luckycatmewseum.com and a reservation link is on the main site that links out to the scheduling page.

This is an awesome collection with a wide variety of lucky cats on display! We had the pleasure of meeting the collector who was so kind in telling us about her experience collecting since 2001!! This is a quick trip if you are looking for a good time filler during the day and enjoy looking at collections/art.

This is a really cool space if you're looking for an off the cuff museum. Micha, the owner, is really nice and will answer your questions. It's her personal collection along with items gifted from artists around the world. There are a few interactive items in the small space. I easily spent almost an hour here looking at all the little pieces.

An absolute cute museum comprised of the lucky cat collection of Micha. So whimsy and informative to see the history behind the lucky cat. Thoroughly enjoyed the interactive displays and plushies, history lessons of the lucky cat throughout the centuries, and left with some goodies for friends thank to the gift shop. A must see for all that enjoy the Japanese culture and the whimsy of manekineko!

I mean, how could you not give this place a 5 star review?!?! Does it get more whimsical?? How many people can say they went to lunch with their family and then visited the Lucky Cat Museum? If you can't it say then you should make it happen. This place is just fun. And the owner is so full of knowledge and passionate about her hobby. It's a quirky little Cincinnati spot that I highly recommend.

This is such a neat experience and I'm glad I was finally able to go. The collection is extensive and really neat to browse- not to mention cute. It's free to visit as long as you make an appointment, though there is a cute little gift shop. If you see that huge collection and don't want to start your own, you're a strong will indeed. If you've heard that the museum is in someone's house, that is no longer the case- it's located in the Essex Studios building which is near the UC campus area. There is a free parking lot and clear signage to what door to go through to get to the museum- once you're in the hallway, you can't miss it as there's a giant inflatable lucky cat. This is a private collection and the owner is super happy to answer questions about all of it. There were real kitties there when we went as well which was a great treat for us but if you're a cat fan with allergies looking for an allergy safe cat themed outing, you should be aware.

Such a great little place with so much to see!! Owner was a kind host with lots to share. Highly recommend!

Very unique! Tons of Lucky Cats. Lots to see and very owner. We spent about 45 minutes checking it all out.

Great place to investigate. Very fun and interesting with interactive opportunities sprinkled throughout. My grandchildren said this was a highlight of out Cincinnati Weekend.

This place is crazy. I've never seen so many lucky cats. The museum does have kind of weird hours. The woman who operates the space opens it when she's off work. It's really her huge collection that she turned into a museum. The museum is located in the building that the American Sign Museum used to be in. It's free though I think she could charge a couple dollars and people would still visit. It's a very small space but there are interactive exhibits which were fun. I especially liked the lucky cat that was opened so you can see how they work. There are souvenirs available for sale. I honestly would have felt a little guilty if I hadn't bought something.

Super cool museum and really an impressive collection! Some of the figurines are even interactive which is really cute. In addition there is a nice educational/historical element to the exhibit too which I appreciated. Would definitely recommend if in the area!

I can't believe this gem of a museum was hiding from me for so long! At time of review Covid precautions were still in effect. Appointments are made online to make things easier, masks are asked to be worn. And it's free!!! So many lucky cats of all sizes, colors and origin. The curator and owner of all these little lucky cats is very knowledgeable and happy to chat about the background of each lucky cat. The gift shop has a lot of lucky cats for sale. Including cool art prints and other fun trinkets. Can't wait to take our girls!

This is the museum you never knew you needed. Only open a few hours at a time, this small museum of Japanese lucky cats is privately run and lots of fun. Learn about the history of these figures and wander through an amazing selection of lucky cats. The folks who run this museum are amazing. Give a donation at the door and prepare to be amazed.

What a cute and fun little museum inside an art studio in Cincinnati! The museum is small but there is no shortage of lucky cats. A lot of the cats are also interactive games, for example, a lucky cat slot machine! They also have a small gift shop and free fortune cookies. This is a great place to visit if you have a free 30 minutes in Cinci.

Holy Toledo in a handbasket! This place is so delightfully unique. If you're a lover of all things Japan, or a fan of cats, or you just like to see really weird, awesome stuff, then The Lucky Cat Museum is a must-see on your next visit to Cincinnati. Inside this small museum located within an art studio, there are THOUSANDS of lucky cat figurines, dolls, pieces of art, and more. The owner, who personally amassed this gigantic collection, is extremely friendly and will explain each and every piece to you. I had a blast! Just be mindful of the time when you come; the museum is only open Tuesday through Saturday, 3PM - 6PM. Admission is free, but be a nice person and leave a donation. Trust me, it's well worth it!

The Lucky Cat Museum is one woman's incredible collection of maneki neko. The cats come in all types, sizes, and looks. There are Hello Kitty lucky cats, lucky cat toilet paper, lucky cat shirts, original artist interpretations and even a traditional lucky cat that's probably 100 years old. It's pretty amazing to see the progression of the maneki neko and how popular this icon has become. There are probably over 1,000 cats of all shapes and sizes in here. The collector, Micha, is so friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She has so many stories to tell and is truly one passionate collector! If you have the opportunity, definitely check this place out. It's so cool! Details: Viewing by appointment only or during Essex Studios Art Walks October 2-3, 2015 November 6-7, 2015 December 4-5, 2015

Really great little museum with free admission. The owners are super nice and willing to answer questions and tell you about anything in the collection. Definitely stop here if you're in Cincinnati!

I visited the museum last week with my friend. We made an appointment with Micha, but you can also check out the museum during the Essex Studios Art Walks. This collection was entirely delightful! I am a Cincinnati native, and have never seen such a cool collection in this area before. Micha is passionate and knowledgeable. She puts all her heart and soul into this collection and it was just wonderful to learn about the individual Lucky Cats. You will not be dissapointed! Our visit was a such a great experience top to bottom.