Japan’s Cat Day Is on 2/22—Here’s Why That’s So Clever

🇯🇵 Did You Know? Japan Has Its Own Cat Day

You may know that August 8th is International Cat Day, but in Japan, cat lovers have another special day to celebrate:
📅 February 22nd, known as “Cat Day” (Neko no Hi).

🧠 Why February 22? The Wordplay Behind It

In Japanese, the number 2 is pronounced “ni” (に).
So when you say 2/22 aloud, it sounds like:

“Nyan Nyan Nyan” – the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat’s meow!

This clever wordplay led to the official creation of Cat Day in 1987, with support from cat-related companies and the Japan Pet Food Association.

😻 How Japan Celebrates Cat Day

February 22nd is more than just a cute pun. It’s a full-on feline festival! Here’s how Japan embraces it:

📸 Social media floods with cat selfies and memes using hashtags like #猫の日 and #CatDay
🛍️ Limited-edition cat-themed products appear in stores—from snacks to stationery
🐾 Charity events and adoption drives are held by shelters and cat cafes
🏯 Some temples even offer blessings for your cat’s health!

🏝 Bonus: Japan Is a Cat Paradise Year-Round

Japan’s cat culture goes beyond a single day:

Cat Islands like Aoshima and Tashirojima are real-life cat havens
Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) figurines are symbols of luck and prosperity
Shrines like Gotokuji in Tokyo are dedicated to cats

So if you’re a cat lover, Japan should be on your travel bucket list! 🐾✈️

🐾 TL;DR

Date	Event	Region	Fun Fact
August 8	International Cat Day	Worldwide	Created by IFAW in 2002 (🇨🇦)
February 22	Cat Day (Neko no Hi)	Japan only	“Nyan Nyan Nyan” = 2/22 (🇯🇵)

💬 Final Meow

Whether it’s August 8 or February 22, every day is a good day to celebrate cats.
But if you’re into clever culture, cute wordplay, and cat-centric traditions, Japan’s 2/22 Cat Day is simply purr-fect.