The gameplay in Onyanko Town takes place in a top-down perspective view of the town. Players control the mother cat as she searches for the lost kitten. The mother cat can jump and open or close manhole covers, but must be careful not to fall into them due to oncoming traffic, snakes, or other obstacles. Enemy dogs will harass the mother cat, but she can temporarily become invincible by eating a fish from a nearby market. To slow down the chasing dogs, the mother cat can open a manhole cover and send them falling into the sewers.