Celebrate Japan’s Cat Day on February 22!
February 22 is a special day in Japan. It is “Cat Day!” People celebrate because the date (2/22) sounds like “Nyan Nyan Nyan,” which is how Japanese people say “Meow.”
While many people love pet cats, Japan also has two very special wildcats. These are the Tsushima Leopard Cat from Nagasaki and the Iriomote Cat from Okinawa. Both are rare treasures of nature.
Meet Japan’s Rare Wildcats
These are not your normal house cats. Both are officially designated as “Natural Monuments” of Japan, meaning they are protected by law and of great historical and scientific importance.
Tsushima Leopard Cat: Found on Tsushima Island, these cats have beautiful spots and distinct white markings on the back of their ears. Experts estimate there are only about 90 to 100 individuals remaining on Tsushima Island. In the 1960s, there were nearly 300, but they have declined due to road accidents and habitat loss
Iriomote Cat: These cats are only found on Iriomote Island. Unlike many cats, they are excellent swimmers and hunters in the jungle. Their population is also estimated at approximately 100 (some studies say between 100–150). They are considered the “rarest cat species in the world” because they live on only one small island
Celebrate Japan's #CatDay on Feb. 22 🐈! Japan has 2 wildcats: Nagasaki’s Tsushima Leopard Cat & Okinawa’s Iriomote Cat. Both are endangered natural monuments with conservation efforts ongoing, and you can even see Tsushima Leopard Cats at select zoos! pic.twitter.com/Ex2e0CeD1M
— japan (@japan) February 21, 2026
Saving the Cats
Sadly, both of these wildcats are endangered. This means there are very few of them left in the wild. The Japanese government and local communities are working hard on conservation efforts to save them.
These efforts include building “eco-tunnels” under roads to prevent traffic accidents and protecting the forests where these cats hunt and live.
Where to See Them
The Iriomote cat is very shy and stays deep in the wild. However, you can actually see the Tsushima Leopard Cat at a few select zoos in Japan! Zoos in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Yokohama help breed these cats to make sure they do not go extinct.
This February 22, let’s celebrate our pets but also remember to protect Japan’s rare and beautiful wildcats!
