
Cat meets toast! Read more to learn all about this simple, yet creative internet craze that’s sweeping Japan.
Japanese Twitter users are engaged in an escalating arms race of cute, competing to create the most adorable bread-based creations imaginable. Wait, bread? It seems that in addition to its reputation as a technological leader in the world, Japan also has a leg up in the department of cute bread products.
▼ A bit crusty, but lovable nonetheless
So how exactly does someone manage to take something as boring and ordinary as sliced bread and make it cute, you might wonder. Well, as our loyal readers surely know by now, if there’s anywhere in the world where someone can anthropomorphize even the dullest of inanimate objects, chances are it’s Japan.
Evidence of this gift for cute appears in ample abundance under the Twitter hashtag neko pan (literally “cat bread”). Contrary to the name, this isn’t bread you’d be feeding to your favorite feline friend, or even made by cats in tiny baker’s costumes, but bread that’s been artfully decorated to resemble an adorable cat’s face.
▼ The key seems to be mastering the ear technique!
ねこパン作ってみました🎵
— ケイたろうのゆるゆる垢☆彡 (@keionemax) October 29, 2016
可愛いけど、味は普通の食パンww pic.twitter.com/Egzu06AkRi
As you can see from these wonderful pictures, these talented toast-enthusiasts have painstakingly arranged different ingredients on perfectly ordinary pieces of bread and other pastries to create characters so cute, it’s kind of messed up to imagine someone taking a big bite out of their cheerful, smiling faces.
https://twitter.com/NatsuM726/status/774468374474608640Many variants seem to include conventional ingredients spread across toast or bread, and the facial features are little holes poked through the bread.
Many creators seem to go with this relatively simple approach, or just spread a little margarine and honey before toasting to give their cats a golden toasty glow.
ねこパン🍞焼きバージョン🎵
— ケイたろうのゆるゆる垢☆彡 (@keionemax) October 30, 2016
食べるのがもったいな~~い、と思いつつマーガリンとはちみつを塗りたくってカブリつきました(笑) pic.twitter.com/7iKVElByrr
With a bit of jam, fruit, or other colorful ingredients, you too could be making your own brilliant bread art in no time at all, and charming the cat lover in your life with small edible replicas of their favorite animal. But why limit yourself to cat designs? Some users have been pulling out all the stops to take this bread art to new levels, with many proud posts showing off things like “flower toast.”
https://twitter.com/ROM1H1/status/801579630637387776Indeed, it seems that designing cute or beautifully arranged food items has become something of a common pastime for many people in Japan. The good news is you don’t have to live in Japan to try this one out for yourself. Just get yourself down to the local grocery store, buy a loaf of bread, and go wild. And once you’ve created your masterpiece, read about how you can even turn the bread bag clip into a miniature cat!
Source: Matome Naver
Images: RocketNews24


Japanese baker creates terrifyingly cute anime character breads【Videos】
Japanese city creates giant bread bed photo spot for limited time
Cats made out of bread bag clips—the pointless but undeniably cute Japanese Twitter trend
“Can you help meow-t here?” Twitter user discovers why his bread clock was constantly wrong
Japan’s pre-sliced cat-shaped bread: The greatest thing since non-kitty sliced bread
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
When is miso ramen not miso ramen? When it’s the new ramen at one of Japan’s top beef bowl chains
Japan now has “edible cat fur” for people who really love felines
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
Reinvented traditional Japanese hearths may be coming to a restaurant near you
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
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
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】
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]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
A visit to Japan’s adorable cat bread cafe to try their trendy new cat cream bun【Photos】
Adorable cat-shaped slices of delicious Japanese bread now become Disney cats for a limited time
This whacky Japanese cat looks hilariously buff, adorably fluff【Video】
Japanese netizens fall in love with super long cat, flood Twitter with long cat memes
Japanese cook creates adorable meal of “cats” feasting on fish!
Japanese cook uses sushi-making as inspiration for beautifully artistic bread loaves
【Monday Kickstart】Adorable Japanese cats sleep in strange places: a retrospective
How to buy Japan’s adorable, delicious cat-shaped bread【Photos】
Cat-shaped Japanese bread coming to Tokyo!
Japanese cardboard-tank cats are here to conquer your heart and pillage your fridge【Pics】
Japanese netizens show love for “English Toast” which is neither English nor Toast
Curious cats are scared of vacuum cleaner, but brave enough to take an adorable peek 【Pics】
Japan’s cat bread bakery opening brand-new branch in Osaka Prefecture!
Just a bunch of adorable cats riding on trains in Japan
Japanese cat cafe delights people around the world with adorable kitty cosplay
Ninja cats blend into their surroundings in photos on Japanese Twitter 【Pics】
These adorable handmade “cat bags” are all the rage online and with good reason!【Pics】