Today is February 22nd. In Japan, it’s celebrated as “Cat Day” (猫の日)! 🐈
To celebrate, I’m introducing a special Hina Arare called “Hinya Arare (ひにゃあられ)” from Kaldi (カルディ).
It’s a cat-themed snack where cats take center stage, making it the perfect treat for this feline-filled day! 🐈🌸
Why is February 22nd “Cat Day”?
In Japanese, the number two is pronounced “ni,” and a cat’s meow is expressed as “nyan.”
In other words, February 22nd sounds like “nyan nyan nyan,” which is why it has become Cat Day!
A Package No Cat Lover Can Resist!
As I was walking past the store, this caught my eye… and before I knew it, I was at the register!
The name “Hinya Arare” is a play on words, replacing the “na” in Hina Arare with “nya,” the sound of a cat’s meow in Japanese.
Even from outside the package, the “Obina Cat” (Prince) and “Mebina Cat” (Princess) had already captured my heart.
But the surprise didn’t stop there. When I opened the package, I discovered four more Hina cats, each with its own unique fur pattern and color 😍
Let’s admire these adorable Hina cats together, along with some fun cat-themed trivia! 🐈
The Obina (Prince) is a black-and-white bicolor cat, while the Mebina (Princess) is a calico cat.
🐈 Cat Note: The Gender of Calico Cats
Genetically, almost all calico cats are female. Male calico cats are incredibly rare, occurring only about once in every tens of thousands!
These feline friends holding instruments are the “Gonin bayashi,” the traditional Japanese court musicians that are part of the Hinamatsuri doll set.
The white cat playing the taiko drum has striking odd-colored eyes—one blue and one gold. The cheerful gray tabby cat playing the tsuzumi drum is also absolutely adorable.
🐈 Cat Note: Cats with Odd-Colored Eyes
Odd eyes occur more frequently in white cats. Cats with one blue and one gold eye have been cherished as symbols of good luck and prosperity.
There’s no explanation on the package about these odd eyes being a symbol of good luck. Incorporating that detail so naturally into the design is just so clever!
These cats are the “Sannin kanjo,” the three court ladies who serve the Mebina.
The black cat is holding hishi mochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes for Hinamatsuri), and the white-and-brown cat is holding a nagae choshi (a long-handled sake pourer).
🐈 Cat Note: Black Cats as Lucky Cats
While black cats have a superstitious image in some cultures, in Japan they are cherished as fuku-neko (lucky cats)—symbols of protection from evil and prosperity in business.
I bet one of these Hina cats has the same fur pattern as a cat you know!
Personally, I’ve lived with a bicolor cat, a white cat, and a black cat, and my current cat looks a lot like the white-and-brown one here. This package has absolutely stolen my heart! 😍
I totally bought this just for the packaging, and I was already beyond satisfied before even taking a bite… but don’t worry, I’ll give you a proper taste report too!
5 Traditional Japanese Flavors
There are five flavors in total: Plum (Ume), Salt, Soy Sauce, Seaweed (Nori), and Zarame (Coarse Sugar). It’s a wonderful lineup that lets you enjoy authentic Japanese tastes! 😋
These snacks are made from glutinous rice (Mochigome). They have a satisfyingly firm crunch at first, followed by a light, crispy texture that feels great.
If you’re like me and keep switching between flavors to compare them, you’ll find the bag empty in no time! 😆
My personal favorite is the Plum (Ume) flavor—it’s sweet, tart, and fruity.
While Plum is a very familiar taste for Japanese people (who grew up eating Umeboshi with rice), it might be a bit of a surprise for first-timers. You might think, “Wait, why does this salty snack taste like fruit?!”
And here’s a tip: these Hinya Arare also pair perfectly with alcohol! How about enjoying them with a refreshing, citrusy Highball? 🥃🍋
Product Details
| Product Name | Hinya Arare (ひにゃあられ) |
| Manufacturer | Kaldi (カルディ) |
| Price | 462 yen (tax included) |
| Shelf Life | 6 months (as indicated on the back of the package) |
| Ingredients | Glutinous rice, sugar, soy sauce, vegetable oil, sea lettuce, plum-kelp, etc. |
Cat Day Bonus: My Real-Life Hina cat
I was taking photos in a sunny spot, and she started sunbathing right next to me.
Her paw just landed on it…
Oh, that paw… 💕
