The world of resident cat goods | How to enjoy photo books, calendars, stamps, and souvenirs

There are accommodations where you can take home memories of your trip with resident cats in the form of photo books, calendars, postcards, hand towels, etc. Some are small items found for the first time at the inn’s shop, while others are books published due to the cats’ popularity or commemorative stamps combined with local projects.

On the other hand, it is not always true that ‘purchasing cat goods is a donation to animal rescue efforts’ or ‘if it’s a cat stamp, it’s a Goshuin stamp.’ In this article, we organize the types of resident cat goods and points to check for a pleasant selection.

Photo book: Record of time spent at the inn with cats

Photo books record not only cute expressions but also where cats lived and the relationships they built with people and the local community.

‘Yadoneko: An Inn with Cats,’ published in 2003, and ‘Inns with Cats,’ published in 2006, are books summarizing multiple inns and cats from a travel perspective. In 2024, animal photographer Mitsuaki Iwago’s ‘Nippon Resident Cat’ was also published, featuring cats loved not only in inns but also in workplaces throughout Japan.

Booklets and photo books created by the inn may contain records of cats that were there. Since there is a possibility that listed cats are no longer present, do not assume the cat in the book is the one currently staying at the inn.

Calendar: Goods to remember throughout the year

Calendars are products that make it easy to introduce cats in each season or multiple cats. They come in various forms, including tabletop, wall hanging, and postcard.

Sales periods and quantities are limited, and items may sell out before the end of the year. Do not assume that reservations or restocks are guaranteed; check the inn’s official website and social media for announcements. Avoid requesting that items available only to guests or exclusively in the inn shop be ordered via mail order.

Even after the cat grows old or retires, past calendars may serve as an important record. However, you must not cut out images to use for your own products or post entire pages on social media.

Small souvenirs: Bring home the story of the inn

Products that are easily themed around the resident cat include the following.

• Postcards, bookmarks, stickers
• Pin badges, keychains, acrylic products
• Tenugui, towels, drawstring bags, tote bags
• Mugs, small plates, chopstick rests
• Sweets using cat branding or packaging
• Drinks and accommodation souvenirs named after the cat

There are also examples where the product itself does not use a photo of a cat, but uses ears, tail, footprints, and keys inside the inn as a design. The inn’s souvenirs include not only the cats but also the buildings and the hot spring town.

Prices and sales locations are subject to change. It’s not always the case that the products you see in the articles before your trip are still in stock, so if you’re traveling from far away just to buy goods, be sure to check with the official counter for business hours and inventory.

“Goshuin” and the inn’s commemorative stamp are different things.

Please be careful not to call all printed materials with cat pictures or calligraphy “Neko Goshuin”.

The Head Office of Shrines introduces the goshuin as a proof of visiting a shrine, and explains its origin as the dedication of copying sutras to shrines and temples. The goshuin you receive at temples and shrines is not just a stamp rally product.

On the other hand, there are things issued by inns to commemorate your stay, such as “Onjuku stamp” and “Accommodation commemorative stamp.” The Onjuku Incho Project provides information on how participating inns can sign and affix their seals. There are other regional projects such as “Osen-in” in hot spring areas and “Oshukuba-in” in old roads.

Even if there is a resident cat at the inn and there is an Onshukuba seal with a cat pattern, it is not called a Goshuin. If it is difficult to judge, such as an inn run by a temple or a project that combines a visit to a temple or shrine, it is best to use the official name of the publisher.

Does buying help support cats?

Purchasing goods results in sales for the inn, which may support its operations. However, unless it is clearly stated, we cannot be certain that all or part of the proceeds will be used for cat medical expenses and animal rescue activities.

If you choose one for support purposes, check the following:

• The seller is an inn, a conservation organization, or an outside business.
• If the product includes a donation, is the donation destination and percentage explained?
• Is the use of the funds shown, such as cat medical expenses, rescue cat activities, community activities, etc.
• Is there any support method that the inn would like other than purchasing products?

There is no need to force the inn to disclose the details of the usage. We will judge based on what the publisher has made public, such as “supporting products” and “donations included.”

Photos and names also have rights.

Ownership of purchased calendars and photo books and the right to reproduce and use published photos are separate. Avoid taking a photo of the page and posting it in its entirety on SNS, cutting out cat photos to make stickers, or adding the inn’s name or logo to your work and selling it.

Even if you take photos of resident cats yourself, please follow the inn’s photography and publication rules. When taking photos with merchandise in the background, make sure that the price list, other guests, and store management information are not included in the photo.

Etiquette when enjoying goods

• Check store hours and payment methods
• Check before entering if non-guests can also purchase.
• Do not insist on reproducing sold-out items
• Do not let cats hold products or cover them with packaging.
• Store food out of reach of cats
• Do not buy up for resale purposes
• Do not reproduce product images or logos without permission

Even if the cat is in the store, there is no need to guide it to the product shelf and take a photo. Prioritize the safety of the cat and the inn’s operations, and enjoy discovering what you can buy at that time.

Summary

Resident cat goods include items like photo books and calendars that preserve the cat’s time, items like postcards and tenugui that bring back memories of your trip, and items like Onjuku stamps that record your visit.

When choosing, check current sales information, publisher, donation description, and terms of use for photos and names. Goshuin, Onjuku stamp, Gosen stamp, and Onjukuba stamp are each different cultures and projects. Respecting the official name is also a polite way to support cats, inns, and the community.

Please also take a look at 7 ways to support “cat inns” that go beyond just staying overnight.

Reference materials

• Ryosuke Handa’s work search results (National Diet Library Search)
• Notice of release of photo book “Mitsuaki Iwago Nippon resident cat” (Mitsuaki Iwago official website)
• About the Goshuin (Shrine Main Office)
• List of accommodation facilities that support signing and sealing of “Onjuku Incho” (Onjuku Incho Project)
• Onjuku seal sales information (The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike)

Note: Product inventory, prices, sales methods, and donation conditions are subject to change. Please check the latest information from the publisher before purchasing.