By La Carmina / lacarmina.com, From Business Insider

Take a walk around Tokyo, and you’ll see cat faces on every product imaginable.

Hello Kitty, arguably Japan’s most famous export, is only the tip of the iceberg. I’ve tried on bowler hats with pointy ears, visited kitty petting zoos, and eaten Cheshire cat pizza at theme restaurants.

Why the obsession?

In Japanese folklore, cats have protective powers and symbolize good fortune. A bobtail supposedly lured a feudal lord with a “come hither” gesture, which saved him from being struck by lightning. Today, business owners put “maneki neko” (beckoning cat) statues in front of their shops, in hope that the moving paw will bring in customers.

Or perhaps there’s a simpler explanation: cats are cute, and easy to depict in the  round, simplified “kawaii” design favored by Harajuku girls. Personally, I find it hard to resist buying anything decorated with whiskers and a tail.

La Carmina is an alternative travel and fashion blogger, author, and TV host (Bizarre Foods, Oddities, Taboo). Her popular LaCarmina blog chronicles her adventures in Goth street style, extreme body modifications, Asia cute culture, and earless cats.

To see all the 31 photos showing Japan’s obsession with cats go to:

http://www.businessinsider.com/japan-is-obsessed-with-cats-2013-7?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29