February 22 is Cat Day in Japan — because 2/22 can be read as nyan-nyan-nyan (the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat’s “meow”). To celebrate, KALDI releases its wildly popular 「ネコの日バッグ」 (Neko no Hi baggu), and in 2026, two versions hit stores again — but only for those who win a lottery.
This year’s lineup includes the standard 「ネコの日バッグ」 (1,980 yen) and the 「ネコの日バッグ プレミアム」 (2,990 yen). Just like previous years, purchase is limited to people who win a 抽選 (chūsen, lottery). In other words, you can’t just walk in and grab one — only those who 当選 (tōsen, win) can buy it.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s inside — and which one is actually the better deal.
What’s Inside the 1,980 Yen Cat Day Bag?
At first glance, this year’s standard bag looks more polished than ever. The outer fabric has a denim-like texture, while the lining features a blue-green cat pattern. The top closes with a button — there’s no zipper, which is part of its 仕様 (shiyō, design specification).
One big change this year? A 値上がり (neagari, price increase).
- Standard bag: 1,700 yen → 1,980 yen
- Premium bag: 2,800 yen → 2,990 yen
The prices went up, but both stayed just under the psychological 2,000 and 3,000 yen lines.
Here’s the 中身 (nakami, contents) of the standard bag:
- Original tote bag
- Gadget case with cats printed on both sides
- Janat original calendar
- Janat 2-flavor assorted tea bags (Uva & Strawberry)
- Cocoa stick pie
- Bitter nuts chocolate
The main cat-themed item is the gadget case — a handy size for accessories or earphones, complete with a KALDI tag inside.
Compared to last year, the contents feel slightly more luxurious. The tea selection, for example, now includes two flavors instead of one. Considering that a typical lunch set in Japan can cost around 1,500 yen these days, getting this “high-end-looking” bag plus sweets and tea for under 2,000 yen still feels fairly お得 (otoku, a good deal).
What’s Inside the 2,990 Yen Premium Bag?
Now for the premium version, priced 1,010 yen higher than the standard.
Its contents:
- Original tote bag (larger size)
- 3-tier multi-pouch with cat embroidery
- Janat tea filter
- Janat original calendar
- Janat “Bol d’Or” tea leaves (40g, Uva flavor)
- Mini chestnut baumkuchen
- Bitter caramel chocolate
The standout item here is the 3-tier multi-pouch, featuring three zippered compartments of different sizes. Each pouch includes cat embroidery, and even the zipper charm uses yarn for a cute detail.
Unlike the standard bag’s tea bags, this one includes loose-leaf tea — which is why it also comes with a tea filter.
So is it worth the extra 1,010 yen?
According to the reviewer, this year the standard bag offers better value. While the multi-pouch and loose-leaf tea are charming, the standard bag gives you two tea flavors and costs 1,000 yen less. For bargain hunters who care about お得, the regular version wins in 2026.
Still a Chance to Buy One?
Because these bags are sold 抽選のみ (chūsen nomi, lottery only), only winners can purchase them in-store. Even if you win, you must pick up your bag by February 24, 2026 — otherwise, your order will be canceled.
Here’s where it gets interesting: every year, some winners forget to pick up their bags. Those unclaimed items sometimes go on general sale starting February 25.
So even if you 落選 (rakusen, lose the lottery), there may still be hope.
Cultural Context: Why February 22 Is Cat Day
Japanese loves wordplay based on numbers. The number 2 can be read as ni, but in playful contexts, it’s also associated with nyan, the sound of a cat’s meow.
So:
- 2/22 → nyan nyan nyan
That’s why February 22 is 「ネコの日」 (Neko no Hi, Cat Day).
Seasonal, limited-edition items like this are extremely popular in Japan — especially when tied to a cute theme and sold through a lottery system. The lottery creates excitement and exclusivity, and words like 抽選, 当選, and 落選 appear frequently in Japanese campaigns for concerts, merchandise, and special releases.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 抽選 | chūsen | lottery, drawing |
| 当選 | tōsen | winning (a lottery) |
| 落選 | rakusen | losing a lottery |
| 値上がり | neagari | price increase |
| お得 | otoku | good value, bargain |
| 中身 | nakami | contents |
| 仕様 | shiyō | specifications, design details |
| 〜のみ | ~nomi | only; limited to (formal) |
Grammar Spotlight
1️⃣ 〜てしまう／〜ちゃう
Used to show completion or regret — “end up doing” or “do unfortunately.”
Example from the article context:
- 申し込みした人は忘れずに取りに行かないとキャンセルになってしまう。 Mōshikomi shita hito wa wasurezu ni tori ni ikanai to kyanseru ni natte shima u. If you don’t go pick it up, it will unfortunately be canceled.
Casual speech often shortens this:
- なっちゃう instead of なってしまう
2️⃣ 〜のみ (formal “only”)
- 当選者のみ購入できます。 Tōsensha nomi kōnyū dekimasu. Only lottery winners can purchase it.
You’ll often see 〜のみ in written announcements, signs, and official notices.
Useful Expressions
- 中身をチェックする (nakami o chekku suru) — to check the contents
- 軍配が上がる (gunbai ga agaru) — to go in someone’s favor
- まだチャンスはある (mada chansu wa aru) — there’s still a chance
Continue Learning
📚 Want to understand the verb forms used here? Check out Masu Form: Mastering Polite Everyday Speech.
📚 Curious about the Japanese used here? Our Greetings and Self-Introductions: Authentic Entry Phrases lesson covers this in depth.
📚 Ready to dive deeper? Our lesson on Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties will help you master these concepts.
Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties
これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.