From ukiyo-e and Soseki Natsume’s “I Am a Cat” to lucky manaki-neko charms and Hello Kitty, it’s no joke that cats have always been a beloved source of inspiration in Japanese culture. Cat islands, such as Aoshima Island and Tashirojima Island, also remain popular destinations for feline-loving tourists. But it's street cats that hold a special place in the nation’s heart and are often cared for by the local community.
Did you know that shorthaired Japanese cats are a unique species? You’ll rarely see purebred Japanese cats today though, as Western breeds were introduced after World War II. To spot a hybrid Japanese cat, look out for:
- Rounded noses and cheeks
- Thick limbs and physiques
- Distinctive, short tails! (You’ll rarely see these in Europe or America, unless it’s a domesticated Bobtail bred to look like a Japanese cat)
Japanese cats are also distinctive in their fur colour. As well as the common black, ginger and tricolor calico, you’ll see pure white cats, kijitora with black-striped brown fur (for protective camouflage), sabitora with grey stripes on silver fur and sabitora with black and rusty, mottled or mosaic-like hair.
Make sure you do a spot of cat-watching, next time you visit Japan!