We take a look back at a compilation of photos from Japanese net users of some of the most adorable and unexpected places cats have been caught napping over the years.
By now, we all know that cat-related media constitutes a pretty significant chunk of the digital content floating around on the internet. We all enjoy seeing the little furballs doing their thing, and entire sites exist for the sole purpose of generating well-curated, seemingly limitless lists of cat images and videos.
Though we admit we can never hope to rival that level of feline-fandom, like many others, we do enjoy a good series of cute cat photos. So sit back and feel your stress melt away as we present you a parade of some of the cutest cats you’ve hopefully seen today.
▼Author’s own cat, “Mu,” sprawled out in an alluring pose
With today’s retrospective, we offer a look back at some of the cutest, and at times baffling, images of sleeping cats captured by Japanese netizens in recent years.
The first, I call, “The Gymnast”. This image shows a cute white little cat hanging precariously from a laundry drying rack during a nap. The bars pressing against its body cause its round, adorable stomach to protrude slightly, while its legs hang limply in space. Meanwhile, its tail is daintily draped across another bar.
▼Something tells me this can’t be comfortable.
https://twitter.com/koniabeer/status/387357528830402560The next image in this series shows a cat protruding from the exhaust pipe of a car. While this little fella seems to be sleeping soundly, this position concerns us slightly. Let’s hope it has the good sense to leave before the car turns on!
▼A cuter way to control carbon emissions!
https://twitter.com/nureru_nureru/status/420875246153891840Now this next cat might just qualify as my personal favorite on this list. The user explains that they were using this bamboo-shoot to enjoy some nagashi soumen, or flowing noodles. This common summer refreshment allows people to enjoy cold noodles as they travel down a tube filled with water. Instead of noodles, though, this guy seems to have ended up with an adorable kitty.
▼Again, these all just seem so precarious!
https://twitter.com/ent_rata/status/362709203254665216
Then there’s this adorable kitty who decided to take a nap on a toilet in a women’s restroom at the Dangozama Service Area! Apparently this one sleeping cat was holding up the line for everyone else — but who would want to be the one to wake it up anyway?
https://twitter.com/ajitama__/status/559291075198582786This next one requires no explanation, I think. Just imagining the series of circumstances that led to this scene is enough to amuse me. Suffice it to say I’d prefer this to sitting next to a profusely sweating businessman.
▼Sadly, most commutes in Japan don’t include ride-sharing service with cats.
おい、そこ人間が一番座りたいとこやで。 pic.twitter.com/P7ePEfY1hR
— さらば青春の光 森田哲矢 (@saraba_morita) March 14, 2015
On that note, I think it’s time to conclude this retrospective. My real life cat has apparently broken into the catnip supplies.
Source: Matome Naver
Top image: Twitter/素敵なレディ♡


Gorgeous snow-white cat is effortlessly adorable as he keeps warm this winter【Monday Kickstart】
【Monday Kickstart】Adorable kitten cosplays as Japanese swordsman from popular game Touken Ranbu
Japanese kitty picks a crazy spot for its daily catnap, becomes local celebrity【Video, photos】
Japan’s favourite sleeping cat is back and this time he’s found a new surprising place to snooze
Monday Kickstart: Laugh at these bewildering photos of cats standing in their litter boxes【Pics】
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Japan now has a Pokémon airport that features every species of Flying-type ever[Video]
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Heavy-sleeping Japanese cat refuses to wake up even when surrounded by ridiculous number of mice
Cute cat puts smile on owner’s face with adorable surprise behind closed door
Japanese cat sleeps so hard it flattens its head, scores a cuteness critical hit
Small children have magnetic “cat-attracting” ability, adorable photos from Japan show
Can you spot the real feline in this “opti-cat illusion?” 【Pics】
Low Japanese table plus freshly grilled fish and curious kitty equals adorable video 【Video】
Japanese cat who can’t sleep unless it chats with owner melts hearts across the Internet
Adorable ferrets sleep only when together, on top of their special blanket 【Pics】
Giant cats taking naps on train tracks — only in Japan
Nissan reminds us to check for sleeping cats before starting cars with adorable montage【Video】
Japanese netizens create adorable, edible “cat bread” 【Pics】
Kittens sleeping in foot-warming hot carpets are too cute for words 【Pics & Videos】
Just a bunch of adorable cats riding on trains in Japan