February 22nd is officially Cat Day in Japan, with people taking to social media to show off the weird and wonderful ways they’re celebrating their furry friends.
People have been playing tricks on their cats, like this Twitter user who covered their kitty in toy mice.
https://twitter.com/RitzChan_/status/701625334358110208
Cat Day, or Neko no Hi in Japanese, has been around since 1987. It’s celebrated on the 22nd February because the numeric spelling (2/22) sounds like nyan nyan nyan which translates roughly as meow meow meow. Makes sense.
You can treat yourself to cat-based gifts and treats.
https://twitter.com/nekokeizai/status/701595302386470912
And, obviously, it’s a great day to get up close and personal with your cat.
猫の日と聞いて。 pic.twitter.com/2YBlpnPJ0y
— 浅井P (@HirokiAsai_0201) February 22, 2016
Lots of people take the opportunity to dress up as cats themselves.
Happy #nekoday to all!! <3 #CatDay #cosplay #neko @ShareMyCosplay pic.twitter.com/0sL6sqjYUx
— Sherryuu90 (@YuukiCosplay) February 17, 2016
And eat cat-themed snacks, like these adorable donuts.
イクミママのどうぶつドーナツ!スタッフのぶねぇです☆にゃんこDayは本日最終日でございます。自由が丘店はショーケース内全部猫!12種類+1のにゃんこ達と、皆様のご来店お待ちしております!(自由が丘駅中央口・北口より徒歩1分♪) pic.twitter.com/Cj4pGr2qiJ
— イクミママのどうぶつドーナツ!《公式》 (@ikumi_mama) February 22, 2016
Make cat-shaped rice balls.
https://twitter.com/_HO_TA_TE_/status/701618197699497984
And experiment with cat-flavor sushi.
Today is #catday in #Japan. Time for some cat sushi! #ねこの日 pic.twitter.com/tkzll9Skuh
— Chris Carlier (@Pubgoblin) February 22, 2016
Artists draw cats on this special day.
にゃーにゃーにゃん #猫の日 pic.twitter.com/iHPn9iKdT2
— ちいさんぽ (@chiisanpo62) February 22, 2016
And it’s also a time to think about popstars who’ve had cats.
ROCK STARS WITH #CATS #猫の日 pic.twitter.com/KtDmQLNv3J
— Rococo?Ghost of a Rose (@AtelierRococo) February 22, 2016
#猫の日#繋がらなくていいから俺の猫を見てくれ pic.twitter.com/H7KuXd1Clf
— ねこたろぉ (@nktr_25) February 22, 2016
But mostly it’s just an excuse to enjoy yet more cat pictures from across the Internet.
https://twitter.com/s0710r0729k0914/status/694511125237407744
And that can never be a bad thing.