Japan’s streets are full of life, and some of the most charming residents are the city’s stray cats. Photographer Masayuki Oki has spent years roaming the streets and famous cat islands, capturing these cats in their everyday moments—whether they’re playing, napping, or just looking curious.

Oki’s work has captured the attention of cat lovers around the world. With more than 500 thousand followers on Instagram and several photo books and calendars published, he continues to document the quirky, funny, and sometimes tender lives of cats. Scroll down and meet Tokyo’s stray cats through Oki’s lens!

More info: Instagram | x.com | Facebook | youtube.com

#1

Two quirky Japan street cats nuzzling on a stone pavement, showcasing the sweet and funny moments of their lives.

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Multa Nocte
Community Member
3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lovely way to greet someone. I'll try it this week and get back to everyone.

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Masayuki Oki didn’t start out as a cat photographer. He worked in the clothing industry and only picked up a camera for his job. It wasn’t until 2013, during a break in a Tokyo park, that he met a stray cat named Busanyan Senpai. “It was a gray cat with a spiral pattern like an American shorthair. I wondered how it was living there,” he recalls. That encounter sparked a passion that would change his life.

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    #2

    Black street cat standing on hind legs with other cats nearby under cherry blossom trees in Japan street cats scene.

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    Enlee Jones
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That cat is wearing the fur of its enemies.

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    #3

    A street cat in Japan relaxing and grooming itself while resting under a green umbrella structure outdoors.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am so jealous of the ability of cats to do something like and make it look so easy.

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    From that day, Oki began photographing every cat he could find, learning to notice their emotions, gestures, and personalities. “I realized these cats had complex emotions, expressions, and gestures. I also discovered that cats have complex relationships just like humans,” he says. His work goes beyond cute snapshots, showing how cats interact with each other and their surroundings in ways people rarely notice.

    #4

    Three Japan street cats walking in a line on a paved path surrounded by greenery with one cat sticking out its tongue

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🎶 Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk I'm a woman's man no time to talk 🎶

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    #5

    Street cat in Japan standing on two legs among greenery, showing the quirky and funny lives of Japan's street cats.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🎶 You are the dancing queen - Young and sweet, only seventeen - Dancing queen 🎶

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    Oki’s dedication is clear in the time he spends capturing the perfect shot. On Japan’s cat islands, he photographs from dawn until evening, editing his images the same day. “Sometimes I feel as if the cats are telling me to capture the moment, making them my photography teachers,” he shares. His patience and careful observation allow him to reveal moments of playfulness, curiosity, and even mischief that make each cat memorable.

    #6

    Tabby street cat stretching among fallen leaves in a traditional Japanese setting showing quirky street cats in Japan.

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    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The classic trap for the unwary cat novice.....

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    Today, Oki’s photography has reached people all over the world. With hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and several published books, he continues to inspire cat lovers everywhere. “I want to make all the cat lovers of this world happy with my photos,” he says.

    #8

    White and orange street cat perched on a cherry blossom tree branch in Japan under a clear blue sky.

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    #9

    Black street cat in Japan carrying a fish in its mouth, showcasing the quirky lives of Japan's street cats.

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    #11

    Four street cats in Japan climbing and jumping over large concrete blocks under a clear blue sky.

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    #12

    Two black and white street cats playfully interacting against a worn concrete wall in Japan.

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    #13

    Black and white street cat stretching on a c*****d pavement in Japan, showcasing quirky and sweet moments of street cats.

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    #17

    Calico street cat playfully interacting with a large cat statue in a green outdoor setting, showcasing quirky lives of Japan cats.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    THAT'S a shot of a cat you don't see very often.

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    #18

    Tabby street cat in Japan stretching with tail raised, showcasing quirky and funny moments of Japan's street cats.

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    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Where'd I leave my glasses?"

    #19

    Two Japan street cats, a black one chasing a gray tabby, capturing the funny and quirky lives of street cats.

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    #21

    A group of Japan's street cats huddling together among white flowers, showcasing their quirky and sweet lives.

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    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've just got to stop and admire the scenery

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    #22

    Japanese street cat lying on its back on a sidewalk, showing a quirky and playful pose in a natural outdoor setting.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd ki‍l‍l for eyeliner like that.

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    #23

    Two playful black and white street cats interacting by the waterfront in Japan showing quirky street cat behavior.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Hey! Guess what I just stepped in! Can ya smell it? Huh? Huh?"

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    #26

    Tabby street cat in Japan stretching against a stack of wooden planks in an outdoor setting.

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    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I've got a tiny moth trapped under my paw, and I'm not sharing!"

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    #30

    Black and white street cat in Japan leaping to catch a butterfly in a grassy field, showing quirky street cat behavior.

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    AP
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    incredible timing on the shot!

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    #33

    Tabby street cat in Japan shaking its head, showcasing the quirky and funny moments of Japan's street cats.

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    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I see you baby, shaking those ears, shaking those ears..."

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    #34

    Two black and white street cats interact playfully on a concrete wall in Japan's quirky street cat scene.

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    B Hobbs
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "This is MY wall! All 132 meters of it! This wall is not big enough for two! Go find your own wall!"

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    #35

    Fluffy street cat in Japan standing on hind legs outdoors with greenery in background showing quirky cat behavior

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🎶 Ballerina - You must have seen her - Dancin' in the dark 🎶

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    #36

    Playful street cat in Japan gripping a thick rope by the waterfront, showing the quirky lives of Japan's street cats.

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    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Too much catnip-sooo many colours!!!!!"

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    #38

    Two Japan street cats playfully interacting in a sunny grassy area near a waterfront with boats in the background.

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    #40

    White street cat playing with sticks on a pole while a tabby cat watches in Japan's quirky street cat scene.

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    #41

    Black street cat playing with glowing red lanterns at night, capturing quirky and sweet moments of Japan's street cats.

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    #42

    Black and white street cat perched on a tree branch surrounded by green foliage in Japan’s outdoor setting.

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    #43

    Playful street cat in Japan lying on pavement with paw raised, showcasing the quirky lives of Japan's street cats.

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    #44

    Two street cats running side by side on a paved path surrounded by greenery, showcasing Japan's street cats.

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    Kyra Noelle
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guessing someone heard the can pop open. DINNER TIME!

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    #45

    Street cat in Japan yawning or meowing with bamboo stick in foreground, showing quirky and funny street cat life.

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    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Ow! Who left that there?!"

    #47

    A playful street cat lounging on a sunlit concrete surface in a quiet Japanese rural setting.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here's someone who might benefit from a little snip-snip.

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    #48

    Two street cats in Japan on stone steps, one sitting alert and the other stretching and resting peacefully.

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    #50

    Orange street cat in Japan playfully biting tall green grass in a natural outdoor setting showing quirky cat behavior.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's eating it so he can come in the house and pu‍ke it up in your slipper at 4 AM. I have had this happen WAY too many times not to know it when I see it.

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    #52

    Orange street cat lying on the ground stretching a paw with a green tent and blue sky in the background in Japan.

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    #53

    Gray street cat grooming itself while lying on a concrete ledge near the ocean in Japan on a sunny day

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    #55

    Two Japan street cats playfully wrestling on a sunny pavement with mountains and a harbor in the background.

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    #57

    Street cat in Japan standing on hind legs, pawing at a paper attached to a wooden post behind a wire fence.

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    G A
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Wossit say, Claude?" "Sumfink 'bout 'No Cats-ignore it......"

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    #58

    Street cat scratching itself on a sunny day by the sea, showcasing the quirky lives of Japan's street cats.

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    #59

    Street cat climbing a wooden pole near a marina, showcasing the quirky lives of Japan's street cats.

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    #60

    Black street cat in Japan caught mid-jump on a quiet residential street showcasing quirky street cats behavior.

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    MsPlants
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    business in the front party in the back

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