GIFT GUIDE
Cat lovers already own the mug that says "cat mum". They have the socks, and probably the tote bag too. What they rarely have is something beautiful enough to earn a permanent place on the table.
Japan has been designing for cat people for centuries, from the beckoning maneki-neko waving in shop windows to the black cats painted on everyday porcelain. These are twelve Japanese gifts for cat lovers that get used every day, not shelved, all chosen from our cats collection in Brisbane.
Gift #1: Seven Lucky Cats Treasure Boat (Cream)
In Japanese folklore, the Seven Lucky Gods sail in with the New Year on a takarabune, a treasure ship loaded with good fortune. This version swaps the gods for seven beckoning cats, each with its own colour and personality, under a sail marked with 宝, the character for treasure.
It is the gift for a housewarming, a new business or anyone who could use a little extra luck. Place it near the front door, where maneki-neko traditionally sit to welcome people in.
→ Shop the Seven Lucky Cats Treasure Boat
Gift #2: Mino-yaki The Beckoning Cat Mug 300mL
This is the maneki-neko you can drink from. The whole mug is shaped like a seated beckoning cat with one paw raised, made in Mino-yaki porcelain from Gifu Prefecture, where potters have been working for around 1,300 years.
It comes in yellow, grey, pink, white and black, so you can choose by personality. And if you want to explain the gift: a raised right paw is said to invite money, while a raised left paw invites friends and customers.
Gift #3: Mino-yaki The Black Cats Teapot 490mL
A row of little black cats strolls around the shoulder of this white and black teapot, with one more cat perched on the lid. At 490mL it pours about three small cups, just right for an afternoon pot of sencha or genmaicha.
In Japan black cats are widely seen as lucky, which makes this an easy choice for the tea lover who also happens to share a home with one.
Gift #4: Mino-yaki The Black Cats Mug 330mL
The teapot's matching mug, sold on its own so you can build the set your way. Choose black or beige, both covered in the same strolling black cats, and both microwave and dishwasher safe for everyday use.
Buying for a couple? Pick one of each colour: one for you, one for me. Prefer something wider for soup, cereal or a big milky tea? The Black Cats Soup Mug 310mL has the same cats on a rounder, wider shape.
Gift #5: Mino-yaki Dami Cat Donburi Bowl with Chopsticks Gift Set
Two 15cm donburi bowls decorated with cats, plus two pairs of wooden chopsticks, packed in a gift box. Donburi are the deep bowls Japanese home cooks use for rice topped with something good: teriyaki chicken, katsu or a soft egg.
It is a ready-to-give present for couples, housemates or anyone moving into their first place, and both bowls are microwave and dishwasher safe for busy weeknight dinners.
→ Shop the Dami Cat Donburi Gift Set
Gift #6: Mino-yaki Calico Cat Rice Bowl 11.5cm
The calico cat, mike-neko in Japanese, is thought to be the luckiest coat of all, which is why so many classic maneki-neko are calico. This 11.5cm bowl is the right size for rice, miso soup or a breakfast of yoghurt and fruit.
It is an everyday piece, and that is the point: a small smile at every meal.
→ Shop the Calico Cat Rice Bowl
Gift #7: Mino-yaki The Five Beckoning Cats 10cm Small Plate Set
Five small plates, five different beckoning cats, presented as a gift set. At 10cm they are the plates Japanese households reach for every day, for soy sauce, pickles and sweets.
Perfect for the host who loves a grazing board, and easy to share. Keep one, give four away.
→ Shop the Five Beckoning Cats Plate Set
Gift #8: Mino-yaki Hachiware the Cat Side Plate 10cm
Hachiware is the Japanese name for a black and white cat whose markings split down the middle of the face. This little blue and white plate is our favourite stocking filler: small budget, big personality.
It also makes a lovely ring dish on a bedside table. If they fall for Hachiware, Tiger, Miche, Butti and Mike the calico each have a matching plate.
→ Shop Hachiware the Cat Side Plate
Gift #9: Car Neck Cushion, Yuzu the Mikecat
Yuzu is a sleepy calico with velvety ears and a permanently unimpressed expression, which is how most of us feel in traffic. The plush cushion straps onto the car headrest to support the neck on long drives, and measures about 26 by 22cm.
Designed by Livheart, the Japanese plush brand behind Ko-taro the Shiba. For the cat lover who commutes, loves a road trip or simply naps in the passenger seat.
→ Shop Yuzu the Mikecat Car Neck Cushion
Gift #10: mofusand Heat-Conducting Ice-cream Spoon
The mofusand cats, from the hugely popular Japanese illustration series, dress up as sharks, shrimp tempura and anything else that makes them look ridiculous. This aluminium spoon uses the warmth of your hand to soften hard ice cream as you scoop.
A fun little gift for teenagers, mofusand fans and anyone who eats ice cream straight from the tub. That is most of us.
→ Shop the mofusand Ice-cream Spoon
Gift #11: My Neighbor Totoro Catbus 2 in 1 Tote Bag and Pouch Key Chain
Every Studio Ghibli fan knows the Catbus, the grinning, many-legged cat that bounds across the countryside in My Neighbor Totoro. This officially licensed tote folds flat into a Catbus-shaped pouch that clips onto a bag or keys with its carabiner, then opens into a roomy shopping tote about 48 by 60cm, handles included.
Perfect for the cat lover who never remembers a shopping bag, and an easy win for Ghibli fans of any age.
→ Shop the Totoro Catbus 2 in 1 Tote
Gift #12: Friendshill Neko Manju Short-Length Apron
Neko manju are cats drawn as round little steamed buns, and on this apron from the Japanese brand Friendshill they look good enough to eat. The short length suits quick cooking and baking, the cross-back straps take the weight off your neck, and the shoulder straps adjust in two stages for a comfortable fit.
A divided pocket holds a phone and a recipe card, and a side hook keeps a tea towel close. For the home baker who treats the kitchen like a cat café.
Quick Gift Finder
The tea lover: #3 Black Cats Teapot with #4 a matching Black Cats Mug (or two)
A housewarming or new business: #1 Seven Lucky Cats Treasure Boat or #2 a Beckoning Cat Mug
The home cook: #5 Dami Cat Donburi Gift Set or #6 Calico Cat Rice Bowl
The entertainer: #7 Five Beckoning Cats plate set
Secret Santa or a small thank you: #8 Hachiware side plate or #10 mofusand spoon
The commuter: #9 Yuzu the Mikecat car neck cushion
The Studio Ghibli fan who forgets shopping bags: #11 Totoro Catbus 2 in 1 tote and pouch
The home baker: #12 Friendshill Neko Manju apron
One More Thing
Every gift in this list ships from our Brisbane warehouse, Australia-wide and to New Zealand. For the full range of beckoning cats, black cats, calico bowls and kawaii cat stationery, browse our Cat Lovers' Japanese Gifts collection.
Dog people on your list too? We wrote them a guide: 10 Japanese Gifts That Dog Lovers Will Actually Use.
SHOPPUROO™ is a family-owned Brisbane store offering a curated range of authentic Japanese brands and carefully selected lifestyle products.
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