We all know what it’s like to want a closer look at the beautiful adornments in a traditional Japanese home, but this kitten got a little too close for comfort.
When it comes to traditional houses in Japan, we’ve learnt that kitties have no qualms with sleeping under kotatsu heated tables and holding down new rugs with their bodies, but if there’s one thing they just can’t get enough of, it’s ripping through sliding paper doors to steal a peek into what lies behind them. We’ve seen owner after owner post photos of the mass destruction caused when cats get their claws into the highest corners of the doorway, with their bodies squeezed through the small squares of wood, leaving them looking half-puzzled, half-proud of what they’ve achieved.
▼ Case in point: these daredevils.
「恐れていた事態」 pic.twitter.com/IBbrIf9u4I
— ココニャ@猫写真集、発売中! (@kokonananya) October 26, 2016
One Japanese family was recently shocked to find their cat had gone one step above and beyond peering through paper doors, when they discovered the animal up in the elaborate ranma, the traditional transom panel found between the ceiling and the sliding doors. According to @pon_afro, who snapped this photo and shared it on Twitter, the cat, called Ponko-chan, simply woke up one morning and then got itself stuck in this unusual place.
朝起きたらぽんこがえらいとこにはさまってた pic.twitter.com/PPlvIcj2OJ
— ぽん☁️🐈 (@pon_afro) November 25, 2016
Ranma are used in traditional Japanese homes to allow air flow and light to circulate between rooms, not curious kitties, so the tiny space the feline had squeezed into became a snug fit.
すぐに救出してもらったのでご心配なくですよ〜
— ぽん☁️🐈 (@pon_afro) November 25, 2016
助けてすぐ私の足に噛み付くぐらい元気なのでご安心を(怒 pic.twitter.com/O0adtVbHfM
The puzzled cat was immediately rescued by a family member, despite the fact that the kitty was determined to make it out to the other side on its own.
なんとか自力で脱出しようとがんばるぽんこ pic.twitter.com/1ZetTGsKIm
— ぽん☁️🐈 (@pon_afro) November 26, 2016
After fending off its owner a few times, Ponko-chan finally realised it might be best to let its human handle this situation.
自力脱出は無理だと悟り途方に暮れるぽんこ pic.twitter.com/cRb7oJ5pMq
— ぽん☁️🐈 (@pon_afro) November 26, 2016
After being gently eased out of the hole, Ponko-chan seemed unfazed by the incident, curling up in between two cushions for a much-needed catnap.
https://twitter.com/pon_afro/status/802436458602598400Surprisingly, a number of fellow cat-owning Twitter users mentioned their own experiences with felines getting stuck in ranma, which suggests Ponko-chan isn’t the only cat with an insatiable attraction to the traditional Japanese feature. According to @pon_afro, Ponko-chan had climbed up on some nearby furniture in order to reach the high ledge, in an apparent attempt to get into the other room while the sliding doors were closed. Following the incident, however, the tall furniture has been moved well away from the transom, and @pon_afro urges other cat owners to do the same in their houses too.
Source: IT Media
Featured Image: Twitter/@pon_afro

Yawns can be contagious for cats too, Japanese pet owner’s adorable felines prove【Photo】
Cute cat surprises owner with ability to walk through walls
Curious kitty makes a froggy friend, loses him just moments later【Pics】
Japanese Twitter users prove that cats and expensive TVs don’t make good friends
Cute cat’s curiosity kills the Japanese sliding paper door 【Video】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Is Tokyo’s ultra-expensive Satsuki sweet bean bread worth it?【Taste test】
Mr. Sato gets his heart broken by a 2019 Akihabara Junk Shop Lucky Bag
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 strangest kanji ever 【Weird Top Five】
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Cat has Internet in stitches after getting itself stuck in awkward position
Cute “koala” cat sings when she’s cuddled【Video】
Japanese cat who can’t sleep unless it chats with owner melts hearts across the Internet
Cats in Japan still unable to resist destroying sliding paper doors in most dramatic way possible
Cats are actually caterpillars?!? Japanese cat caught emerging out of cocoon of cute
Japanese cat masters a fidget hand spinner without even lifting a paw
Is this the oldest cat in the world? Japanese kitty Ai-chan turns 27 【Pics】
Cute cat fights yearning desire to eat food on table with adorable results【Video】
Japanese cat owns all the things and he won’t be letting you near his fan this summer
Cat says good morning to its owner in Japanese【Videos】
Japanese cat wows the internet with an insatiable hunger for vegetables
Japanese Twitter’s latest feline celebrity proves that cats will literally attack anything
Traditional Japanese inn offers ultimate amenity: A cat companion to spend the night with
Watch as these Japanese cats treat their brand new, giant cushion with extreme suspicion
Japan’s 25 most popular cat names