It always seems to me that cats hold a special place in Japanese culture and society, and their popularity is indeed significant.
Whether it’s cute figurines, cat-shaped sweets and onigiri, as company ‘yuru-kyara’ mascots or real life cats at the temple, everywhere you go you can find cats in Japan!
As I sit writing blogs, I normally have my feline companion close by so, here's a closer look at cat ownership and their cultural significance in Japanese life.
Cat ownership in Japan
Cats are popular pets in Japan and recently the number of cats kept as domestic pets has actually exceeded the number of pet dogs.
Many Japanese people live in small apartments, particularly in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka and cats are often seen as the ideal pet for this type of living.
They require less space and are relatively low maintenance when compared to dogs. They can be left alone for longer periods and don’t require daily walks which suits Japan’s busy urban dwellers.
But in addition to these practical considerations, Japan has a long-standing cultural affinity for cats, evident in folklore, art and modern pop culture which contributes to their popularity.
Maybe because of this cultural importance, Japanese people love their pet cats and they are often treated with great care and affection. They provide comfort and companionship in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful society, with many being pampered and considered as beloved family members.
As with other countries, Japan also has many stray cats and there is some tension about how to deal with them.
In general, Japanese communities respect stray cats, leaving out food and water for them but there are also programmes to neuter the animals to stop their numbers increasing out of control and to stop them becoming a pest.
Many shrines and temples have a cat population and Japan even has several 'cat islands' where the feline population outnumbers humans. Aoshima and Tashirojima are two of the most famous, which have become tourist attractions and draw cat lovers from around the world.
Cats in cafés
Cat cafés seem to have caught on worldwide but most people see them as a Japanese phenomenon.
The first cat café, however, was not Japanese but opened in Taiwan in 1998. It was established in Taipei and was named 'Cat Flower Garden'. It quickly became popular among locals and also with Japanese tourists.
Following this, it was in Japan that cat cafés truly took off and became a significant cultural trend.
Inspired by the cat café in Taiwan, the first Japanese cat café, 'Neko no Jikan' (猫の時間, meaning 'Cat Time'), opened in Osaka in 2004. This café sparked the beginning of a broader trend across Japan, especially in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto and now cat cafés are common across Japan.
Why are cat cafés popular in Japan?
In Japan's urban environment small living spaces, apartments and houses, are typical. There is a large rental market and in some places strict rental policies may prohibit pet ownership. This has made owning a cat yourself difficult for some people and the idea of spending time with cats outside the home may be more appealing.
Cat cafés provided a comfortable space where people can enjoy the company of animals without the responsibilities of owning a pet.
For those with stressful lives, spending time with cats is seen as a good way to relax and unwind, offering a therapeutic escape from the pressures of daily life. And for animal lovers who don’t have time to care for a pet or aren’t allowed to keep a pet at home, cat cafés are an ideal compromise.
More recently, and quite rightly, cat cafés in Japan now emphasize the welfare of the cats, with strict rules for handling the pets, ensuring they have adequate space, care and downtime away from customers. Some cafés are collaborations with animal shelters to help find new homes for unwanted or stray cats.
Cat cafés across the globe
Following the success of cat cafés in Japan and the influence of Japanese culture, the concept of cat cafés has spread internationally. You can find these cosy cafés in cities and towns across Europe, North America and beyond, often adding their own unique twist to the experience.
As in Japan, many of these cat cafés also serve as adoption centres, helping stray or unwanted cats to find permanent homes.
The cat’s place in Japanese culture
Cats are deeply embedded in Japanese culture and daily life, symbolizing everything from good fortune to mystery. Their popularity as pets continues to grow and their influence can be seen in many aspects of Japanese society.
One of the most iconic cultural symbols in Japan is 'maneki-neko'. You’re sure to have seen this little cat character, usually made from ceramic or papier-mâché.
He sits up with one paw raised and is believed to bring good luck and fortune. Because of this, these figurines are commonly found in shops, restaurants and in the home and they make great Japanese souvenirs.
In some areas, cats are believed to have protective qualities and a spiritual significance. The Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo is dedicated to cats and is famous for its thousands of maneki-neko statues, which are left by visitors as offerings.
In general, cats are a frequent subject and beloved character in countless works of art, literature and media in Japan, from ukiyo-e prints by artists like Utagawa Kuniyoshi, which often depicted cats, to modern-day manga, anime, films and literature.
Cats in Japanese folklore
In traditional Japanese culture, cats were often viewed with a mix of affection and suspicion due to their independent behaviour and nocturnal habits. As part of this cultural significance, cat characters also crop up in Japanese folk tales.
'Bakeneko' and 'nekomata' are examples of ‘yōkai’ or supernatural creatures that show how cats are viewed as mysterious and powerful animals.
Bakeneko is one of the most intriguing and eerie creatures in Japanese folklore. It is a supernatural cat with shape-shifting abilities that features in a number of folk tales.
'Bakeneko' (化け猫) literally means 'changed cat' or 'monster cat' and according to folklore, an ordinary cat may transform into Bakeneko as it ages, especially if it lives to be more than 13 years old, grows in to a big cat (supposedly more than 3.5kg although I think my cat is heftier than that!) or has a particularly long tail.
Some versions of this myth say that if a cat is mistreated and lives to the age of 13 it is likely to become bakeneko. And a cat that exhibits strange behaviour, such as standing on its hind legs and most especially if its dancing and wearing a handkerchief on its head, might also be considered to be bakeneko.
These mysterious creatures are known for their ability to shape-shift into human form, often disguising themselves as their owners, and they are said to be able to speak human language. They walk on two legs and can even summon fireballs from their tails.
Bakeneko in folktales
There are many stories throughout Japan that involve bakeneko, with different regions having their own mythical variations.
One of the most well known tales is The Vampire Bakeneko of Nabeshima. According to legend, a bakeneko took revenge on the lord of the Nabeshima Clan by killing his favourite concubine and then taking her form. The cat, disguised as the concubine, began to slowly kill the lord by draining his energy each night. The deception was eventually discovered by a loyal guard who managed to defeat the monster, freeing the lord from its curse.
Bakeneko feature in many more tales even more gruesome than this one and these stories, over the years, have formed the basis for modern horror stories. Many of these stories serve as cautionary tales, warning against mistreating animals or not giving them proper care.
They also reflect broader themes in Japanese folklore, such as the consequences of angering spirits or the thin boundary between the natural and supernatural worlds.
Malevolent nekomata
It’s worth noting that the bakeneko is often confused with another yōkai or mythical being called 'nekomata' (猫又 or 猫叉).
While both are supernatural cats with many similarities, nekomata is distinguished by its forked tail, an ability to control and inhabit the dead and is generally considered to be even more powerful and malevolent than bakeneko.
They are often portrayed as spiteful creatures that take pleasure in causing suffering to those who have wronged them or their kind. Both bakeneko and nekomata have been depicted in various forms of Japanese art from ukiyo-e prints to kabuki plays.
Some stories blur the lines between these two creatures because of their mythical similarities, but they are generally considered separate creatures in Japanese folklore.
As with bakeneko, a cat might transform into nekomata when it lives to more than 13 years. The older and bigger it gets, the more likely it is to become nekomata especially if it has been abused or badly treated. As it transforms, its tail splits in two forming the nekomata's distinctive forked tail, clearly differentiating it from bakeneko. It is also is said to walk on its hind legs and take on the appearance of a human.
Nekomata are most infamous for eating the dead and their ability to control and inhabit corpses. It can reanimate a corpse and use it to do its bidding, often for malevolent purposes. This power over the dead is what makes nekomata particularly scary and feared in Japanese folklore.
One common tale tells of a village where a large and ominous cat was seen in the mountains. Over time, the villagers noticed strange occurrences, such as people dying mysteriously or corpses going missing. It was eventually discovered that the cat was a nekomata, controlling the dead and using them to haunt the village. The villagers had to band together to drive the creature away or, in some versions, to destroy it.
Another tale involves a family whose pet cat turned into a nekomata after living for many years. The nekomata began to torment the household, bringing misfortune and reanimating dead relatives to frighten the family. The family had to consult a priest to perform rituals to banish the monster and end its curse.
Kawaii cats
Thankfully, as well as these yōkai, Japanese culture has plenty of cute cat characters that we can enjoy!
Just about the most famous of these must be Hello Kitty. Hello Kitty is in fact a brand name and the name of this cute cat character is Kitty White!
Kitty is famously depicted as a cheerful and kind-hearted white cat with a red bow and has become a symbol of 'kawaii' culture in Japan and around the world.
She appears on a vast array of merchandise, from school supplies to fashion items, and even has themed cafés and attractions dedicated to her. Despite being a simple, stylized character, Hello Kitty successfully represents warmth, friendliness and the innocent charm of childhood to fans all around the world.
Doraemon is another famous cat in Japanese popular culture.
Doraemon is a robotic cat from the future and the title character of a popular manga and anime series created by Fujiko F. Fujio. First appearing in 1969, Doraemon has become one of Japan's most beloved and enduring characters.
He is known for his friendly and helpful nature and has a 'fourth-dimensional pocket' from which he can pull out various futuristic gadgets to help his human friend, Nobita. Despite being a robot, Doraemon has a love for dorayaki (a type of Japanese sweet) and is often depicted with a very cute, round appearance. Because of having such a cute appearance, you can find many Doraemon soft toys in Japan.
His image is so popular that he was appointed as Japan’s “anime ambassador” by the Japanese Foreign Ministry in 2008!
Another cute cat that you may have come across is Jiji from Studio Ghibli’s animated film 'Kiki's Delivery Service'.
Jiji is a black cat who serves as companion and familiar to Kiki, the young witch protagonist in the film.
Jiji is loyal, cautious and provides Kiki with advice and friendship. His small, sleek design, combined with expressive eyes and voice, makes him another cute and endearing character. His image is often featured on Ghibli merchandise and he’s remembered as a symbol of friendship and the bond between a cat and its owner.
One last real life example of how beloved cats are in Japan is Tama. Tama was a real female calico cat who became a station master at Kishi Station in Wakayama Prefecture. She wore a stationmaster’s cap and brought attention and attracted visitors to the rural train station, even increasing passenger numbers.
Sadly Tama died in 2015 at the grand age of 16. She was enshrined close to the station as the spirit goddess Tama Daimyōjin, and her legacy lives on through her successor cats and the revitalized train station, which even features a Tama-themed train.
These cute cats in Japanese culture offer a delightful contrast to the more eerie and mysterious feline spirits of the bakeneko and nekomata. They represent a softer, more endearing side of the cat’s character, embodying the cultural values of luck, friendship and the joy of cat companionship.
Whether in folklore, media or real life, these cats continue to capture the hearts of people in Japan and around the world.
Additional photos:
Ginger cat photo by Sei on Unsplash
White cat photo by Nguyen TP Hai on Unsplash
Wakayama Electric Railway photo by Tai To on Unsplash
Buy cat-themed products at Hatsukoi.co.uk
