
While the traditional kagami-mochi display is made of pounded rice, this one is made entirely of fluff.
The restful, year-end holiday in Japan has ended, and work and school are back in full swing. But that doesn’t mean we’ve already forgotten those lazy days of last week, spent eating delicious osechi-inspired cakes and praying for good luck in the coming year at our local shrine or temple. And while our kagami-mochi displays have already been consumed, we have found one that can be enjoyed year-round.
Meet Kagami-mochi cat:
At the video’s start, all we can see is a large, white mound in a plastic basket, not at all unlike the stacks of pounded mochi rice cakes traditionally displayed in Japanese homes around the new year. However, instead of special rice, this unusually fluffy mochi-mound is actually made of cat – one who goes by the name of Mimi. The Mimi-mochi is soon topped with a small mikan, completing the well-known look.
▼ A kagami-mochi display of the non-cat variety

There is no visible movement from Mimi, almost as if she has been completely absorbed in her role as New Year’s decoration. A sibling then comes over to investigate the unusually large kagami-mochi sitting upon the table. It isn’t until said sibling makes a racket after going off-screen that Mimi is startled back into her true fluffy form.
It would be nice if next year all kagami-mochi could instead be kitty-mochi, but as we’ve seen before, not all cats take as well to the role as Mimi.
Source: YouTube/かご猫 Blog via Neko No Kimochi
Featured image: YouTube/かご猫 Blog

Celebrate Japanese New Year traditions with Studio Ghibli decorations
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
Have you ever noticed how much Totoro looks like New Year’s mochi? This plushie’s designers did, and the result is adorable!
Japanese kitty shows us that a cat pillow is a critical component of a proper cat nap【Video】
Ghibli New Year’s Totoro decoration sells out online, but there’s still a way you can get one
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Tokyo adding new anti-littering fines in Shibuya and Harajuku, will require more trash cans too
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
“Hey, Japanese taxi driver, take us to the best chanpon noodles in Nagasaki!”
Perfectly recreated 1960s Japanese apartment lets museum visitors go back to mid-Showa era【Pics】
Here’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Studio Ghibli releases traditional New Year decorations with My Neighbour Totoro characters
The pets of Japan wish you a happy new year (some are happier about it than others)【Photos】
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
Traditional Japanese New Year’s decorations with a Mad Max theme? WHAT A LOVELY DAY!
Studio Ghibli releases new Panda! Go, Panda! goods for New Year
Totoro, Spirited Away tenugui tapestries promise good luck at New Year’s, smiles all the time【Pics】
Nissan reminds us to check for sleeping cats before starting cars with adorable montage【Video】
Disney’s Japanese New Year’s plushies and figures are ready to make oshogatsu cuter than ever
Ginza Cozy Corner unveils cute range of osechi New Year cakes featuring lucky Japanese symbols
World-famous Japanese cat Maru gets a new pal, learns a cool new tail trick 【Video】
Japanese YouTuber tests out homemade Water Cake three different ways【Video】
Celebrate the New Year with kimono dogs!
Usher good luck into your home this New Year with Totoro tenugui from Studio Ghibli
Adorable Japanese kitty cosplays as a primate to kick off the Year of the Cat-Monkey! 【Video】
Starbucks’ Japanese New Year’s/Chinese zodiac drinkware line is full of fun and fortune【Pics】
Inventor of instant ramen noodles appears as Japanese samurai in awesome new animated rap video
Leave a Reply