
Japanese homes are notorious for being poorly insulated, in the wintertime often leaving you feeling just as cold indoors as you do outside.
Despite having permanent fur coats (lucky them!) our pets can still feel the chill and will do what they can to stay cozy. We’ve already shown you cats and space heaters, and dogs in kotatsu, but now we bring you some adorable hamsters in sleeves.
Hamsters are natural burrowers, and in the wild will stay underground most of the day to avoid predators. Sure, your pet hamster probably doesn’t really have to worry about being eaten alive, but when winter sets in, it’s time to take shelter from Jack Frost. For hamsters, what could be more perfect than a sleeve? Judging from these photos posted on Twitter – a trend known as 袖ハム sodehamu (sode 袖 = sleeve, hamu ハム = the first half of the Japanese pronunciation of “hamster”) – the best sleeves are the ones already occupied by a human arm – for extra warmth of course!
袖に入った時のハムスターは世界遺産級にかわいい pic.twitter.com/DcaVwj70Gv
— たぎ (@tg_hp) January 8, 2015
秘技!!!!袖からハムスター!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/7ALYjFZQ1h
— ひよい🌸春例大祭い44-ab (@hiyoi03) May 3, 2014
▼”My hamster went in my sleeve. So cute, but tickles so badly..!!”
https://twitter.com/mayu0831riko/status/463281754208346113袖に入ってるハムスターはたしかにくっそかわいい pic.twitter.com/Vx0dokKxKI
— brain23@馬と🐹と🍖 (@brain23_dk) January 8, 2015
おそようございます。(^-^)/
— えいた (@yeighta) November 9, 2014
袖ハムの季節になりました。
最近の定位置w pic.twitter.com/chUXDAiBZT
▼”It’s autumn. The season for hamster sleeves is here.”
秋ですね。袖ハムの季節がやってきました。 pic.twitter.com/kuSItCv6hN
— シヴぁ (@shivaaan) October 19, 2014
Here are some furry hamster bums thrown in for good measure:
▼”Hamster butt, the moment he went into the sleeve.”
袖に入る瞬間のハムけつ pic.twitter.com/w2e9hXojcb
— 🙈 (@freeend313) September 27, 2014
▼”My hamster went in my sleeve. Everyone who owns a hamster has done this at least once, right?”
https://twitter.com/315meow/status/553193712654635008It may seem like it’s all cute and fun and games, but the inevitable is bound to happen sooner or later…
▼”Parting gifts in my sleeve.”

▼”When my hamster would go into my sleeve, all it would do was poop.”
飼ってたハムスターは袖に入れてるとウンコばっかしてた
— まうちん (@mauti_nKO) January 8, 2015
Hey, it’s a fact of life; everybody’s gotta go! At least little hamster “presents” aren’t that bad. But here are some more hamsters, doing things other than just leaving little unwanted gifts:
▼”Came home and my hamster went right into my sleeve to eat some broccoli.”
帰ってきて早々袖に入ってきてブロッコリー食べるハムスターとか。 pic.twitter.com/axXLVgpTri
— 翔太郎@ホシクイ (@shoutarotttt) March 9, 2014
▼”Hamster in my brother’s sleeve, eating cabbage ( ˘ω˘)♡”
https://twitter.com/a_nt01081/status/453139611368173570
The cold of winter can be tough to get through sometimes, but we’re at least glad for the cuteness it brings!
Source: Naver Matome
Featured image from Twitter @tg_hp

Sleeve cats are taking over the internet in Japan this winter
Japanese Twitter is trying to find the best hamster in an all-hamster tournament【Pics】
“Cute-but-ugly” photos of hamsters trending as Twitter users celebrate their quirky pets【Photos】
2015: The year Japan fell in love with the hamster 【Photos】
Twitter has “cute competition,” this hamster is winning with amazing vacuum cleaner impression
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
Elderly couple donates 400 million yen to erect Myaku-Myaku statue in Osaka
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
Lawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Hamster hides in glass bottle during earthquake in Japan 【Photos】
Japanese Twitter user’s dream of having a pet hamster is a roller-wheel of emotions
Japanese hamster shows impressive feat of strength, Twitter more focused on its butt
Dog tummy wraps are all the adorable rage in Japan this winter【Photos】
Japanese hamster’s adorable Pokémon cosplay charms the Internet 【Photos】
Get your cute fix for the day with these amazing hamster figures created by Yumi Nakano
Hamster house hides a hysterical surprise for its handler【Video】
Ginji the hamster tends miniature bar, serves tiny sushi, makes everyone smile from his cuteness
Pet hamster shows off eloquent eating skills that puts most humans to shame
Hamster chills out in mandarin orange skin, looks adorable 【Video】
“Come on Hammy, time for walkies!” Old man attempts to walk hamster on leash in Tokyo 【Video】
What do hamsters dream of? Adorable Japanese pet video shows us one answer【Video】
Hamster, you may be angry, but we just can’t take you seriously
Creative drawings to reply to wedding invites are all the rage in Japan right now 【Photos】