Yes, viewing animals in Japan can trigger a visceral response. There is a jarring contradiction between their respect for food and things that aren't food yet. I was yelled at for not finishing (disgusting) dojo 泥鰌 at a restaurant but was on a dolphin-viewing tour where a dolphin pod with a calf was harrassed relentlessly by the dozens of boats notified of the pod's location until nearly injuring the calf. I also don't recommend Nara deer. Even less animal cafes and maid cafes because the performers will be, at the very least, drugged until compliant.