The Story of How I Had My Soul Stolen by Cats in Ukiyo-e at the "What If Cat Exhibition" [Sendai Cat Trip Report]
To all cat lovers, have you been to the "What If Cat Exhibition" yet?
I can say with certainty that if you are a cat lover, you absolutely must visit this exhibition currently being held at the Sendai City Museum! Focusing on the works of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, an ukiyo-e artist who adored cats during the Edo period, it is packed to the brim with the world of cats as depicted from the Edo to the Meiji periods.
For those of you thinking, "Ukiyo-e seems a bit difficult...", don't worry. This exhibition, where cats walk around in kimonos, fight as warriors, and run wild, will definitely strike a chord with any cat lover. The moment I learned it was being held, I was convinced that I had to go, and I immediately decided to head to Sendai.
Off to the What If Cat Exhibition
At the entrance, you are greeted by a large banner and a cute life-sized panel. My excitement was already building at this point.
The core of the exhibition is Kuniyoshi's ukiyo-e. There are many works that depict cats like humans—cats walking gracefully in kimonos, cats fighting as warriors, cats playing... It makes you deeply feel that the people of the Edo period must have really loved cats.
Especially impressive was a piece depicting countless cats surrounding a large fish. It was a spectacular piece that offered more discoveries the longer you gazed at the densely drawn cats.
The attention to detail in the exhibition is too cute
It wasn't just the ukiyo-e itself; the presentation of the exhibition was also meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail.
Here is a warning sign that was posted next to the exhibits.
"Please do not touch meow"—!
To express a standard "Please do not touch" sign with a paw-print prohibition mark. Having these little touches hidden throughout the venue is truly fitting for a cat exhibition. There were small discoveries to be made at every turn, and I was able to take my time and enjoy it thoroughly.
The cat cake at the collaboration cafe was the best
After finishing the exhibition, I went to the cafe inside the museum.
A berry cake topped with two chocolate cats. The set's tea also came with a cat, making it incredibly photogenic. As for the taste, the balance between the tartness of the berries and the cream was exquisite, and I was very satisfied. The cafe's atmosphere was modern and calm, making it the perfect place to rest my tired feet.
Tashirojima (Cat Island) is... for another time
I had also planned to go to Tashirojima, famous as a cat island, the next day. However, the weather the next morning was terrible. The boats were canceled due to strong winds.
I was quite disappointed, but it couldn't be helped. I decided to save my greetings to the sea cats for another time and enjoy my time in Ishinomaki instead. A return trip to Tashirojima is definitely on my list.
Getting Soothed at a Cat Owner's Hotel
For this trip, I stayed at a hotel in Ishinomaki that is famous among cat lovers. The hotel has a room where you can interact with cats, play with them, and even feed them during their dinner time.
Since I couldn't make it to Tashirojima, these little ones really soothed me. Watching them all gather around the cat teaser toy was so adorable that I realized I had been there for an hour.
Summary
Although I still have the homework of a return trip to Tashirojima, I was very satisfied with this Sendai cat trip. There is still plenty of time left in the exhibition period, so if you are interested, please go and visit. The Sendai to Ishinomaki route is a highly recommended course for cat lovers, as you can enjoy both the exhibition and the hotel cats all at once.
Event Information
Special Exhibition 'What If Cats Exhibition'
Venue: Sendai City Museum (26 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-0862)
Dates: April 17 (Fri) – June 7 (Sun), 2026
Opening Hours: 9:00 – 16:45 (Last admission at 16:15)
Closed: Every Monday (Open on May 4th holiday, closed on May 7th)
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Admission Fee:
General: 1,500 yen (Advance: 1,300 yen)
High School/University Students: 1,000 yen
Elementary/Junior High Students: 800 yen
Preschoolers: Free (accompanied by a guardian)
Official Website: https://www.city.sendai.jp/museum/shisetsuannai/tenrankai260417.html