After returning from a trip abroad recently I was welcomed home to an almost-pristine home. Yes, my devoted cat sitter had missed one gift bestowed by my often bellicose furbaby: A shredded designer pillowcase adorned with hairballs and whatever else he’d ingested that day. While I try to maintain consistency in their lives, a girl’s just gotta’ get out sometimes! Little did I know that there are a bevy of cat-loving countries around the world to explore.
Japan
Tokyo, Japan is a veritable cat haven. In Japan cats are believed to hold protective powers and symbolize good fortune. The “maneki neko” (beckoning cat) was said to lure a feudal lord to him, saving him from being struck by lightning. This veneration stuck, most commonly seen in the precious face of Hello Kitty. However, the cultural obsession extends beyond your average pencil set and backpack. Hello Kitty was added to the Sanrio lineup of characters in the mid-1970’s, and arrived in the US by 1976. According to Yuko Shimizu, Hello Kitty’s creator, the character does not have a mouth so as to allow people to “be happy or sad together with Hello Kitty.” The character is now as ubiquitous as Mickey Mouse, appearing in theme parks, on television shows and movies, and even on your favorite high-end jewelry. Bored with your run-of-the-mill cat cafe? Visit Aoshima Island, one of about a dozen ‘cat islands,’ where the feline population outnumbers the human one. We’re guessing the daily catch of this small fishing island is a bit hampered by the feline competition!
Russia
According to a 2017 study conducted by Dalia Research, over 59% of Russian households own a cat. The love of a great feline stems back to Empress Elizabeth’s reign in the 1700’s, when little Dasha or Anton’s mousing skills translated to a great life of luxury in her palace. In fact, around 70 cats continue to live in a section of the palace called St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum to this day!
Turkey
You can’t visit Istanbul without being confronted with the beloved street cats. According to the collected sayings of Muhammad, the Prophet had a distinct fondness for cats, ultimately blessing the creatures so that they always land on their feet. Cats are also considered guardians in the Islamic world. They protect libraries from destruction by mice, and the cities themselves from rat-born plagues. In this day and age, Istanbul’s citizens leave food and water dishes out for their furry neighbors, as well as welcoming them into their homes.
Malaysia
The city of Kuching, Malaysia is said to be ‘built by cats.’ The word ‘kucing’ literally means cat, and the city is adorned with sculptures, a cat museum, and statues devoted to its furry inhabitants. One family within Kuching is home to 80 cats and counting! The city’s obsession is largely associated with its name, but to the diverse population of Malays, Chinese, and Indians, as well as local tribespeople including the Iban, Bidayah, Orang Ulu, and Melanau, cats hold individual meaning. Aside from pest control, cats are largely respected in Islam for centuries. The Chinese culture also considers them good luck.
The next time you’re looking for an adventure, you don’t have to travel quite so far to find your favorite felines. They will welcome you wherever you are!
