It’s that time of the year again when Teyvat’s cats take center stage—February 22, National Cat Day in Japan, or as the locals call it, Neko no Hi! For Genshin Impact players, this date has become synonymous with a flood of adorable feline screenshots, a flurry of meow-themed hashtags, and the chance to bag some shiny Primogems. Why this date? Well, 02/22 can be read as “ni ni ni,” which sounds pretty darn close to “nyan nyan nyan” (the Japanese equivalent of “meow meow meow”). This year, in 2026, the celebration leaps forward once again, with miHoYo launching a global photo contest that promises even more tail-twitching fun than before.

Gone are the days when the contest was a Japan-exclusive event with no international shipping. By popular demand (and thanks to the ever-expanding reach of Hoyoverse), the 2026 Cat Day Photo Contest is open to all players worldwide, with physical rewards now shipping to a long list of countries. So, whether you’re sipping dango in Inazuma or braving the dunes of Sumeru, you can finally get your hands on that adorable Paimon plushie without relying on a forwarding service. The core rules, however, remain as simple as ever: take a screenshot featuring cats (or cat-like beings) in Genshin Impact, post it on Twitter with the hashtag #GenshinCatDay2026 (or its Japanese variant #原神猫の日2026), and cross your fingers.

The contest window is intentionally tight, honoring the real-time festivity in Japan. Here’s a handy countdown table for travelers across different time zones:

Time Zone	Contest End Time
Japan (JST)	23:59, February 22
GMT / UTC	14:59, February 22
Eastern Time (ET)	9:59 AM, February 22
Pacific Time (PT)	6:59 AM, February 22

⏰ Pro tip: if you’re in the Americas, set an alarm—the contest will be over before most people’s morning coffee kicks in!

Now, what counts as a “cat” in Genshin Impact? The game’s roster of feline friends has only grown since the early days. The obvious choice is Diona, the bartender from the Cat’s Tail tavern with actual cat ears and a tail that swishes with attitude. Then there’s Lynette, the magician’s assistant whose feline features are as sharp as her sleight of hand. Let’s not forget Kirara, the delivery nekomata who can literally turn into a cat box. And if you’re feeling creative, you can include the many wandering cats of Teyvat—like the black cat at Wangshu Inn or the grumpy one in Ritou. Some players even manage to capture unreleased cat-themed characters during special previews, so the possibilities are purr-etty wide.

The judging panel—beloved by some, feared by others—looks for creativity, composition, and sheer cat charm. The top 50 entries this year will receive:

• 🏆 A "Paimon Neko" limited-edition plushie (new design for 2026!)

• 💎 300 Primogems

• 🎟️ One exclusive in-game namecard with a lounging cat motif

Honorable mentions (another 100 participants) will still snag 100 Primogems and a special food recipe code. Winners will be announced on March 1 via the official Genshin Impact Japanese Twitter account. So keep your notifications on!

What makes this year’s Cat Day extra special? For one, the community has been begging for more cat-related content, and miHoYo has leaned into the meme with unexpected cameos in recent events. The entire landscape of user-generated cat photography has leveled up too—players now use the in-game camera’s depth-of-field trick to blur cherry blossoms behind a yawning Diona, or freeze-frame Kirara mid-leap above a sunset-lit Qingce Village. Some creative souls even stage “cat cafés” in their Serenitea Pots, inviting friends’ feline characters to pose amid custom furniture.

Thinking of joining? Here are some paws-itively genius photo ideas:

• Diona chasing a crystalfly in Windrise (use the pause and camera zoom for dynamic motion)

• Lynette and a real wandering cat sharing a fish by the docks in Fontaine

• Kirara peeking out of a Neko Shrine with the Sacred Sakura in the background

• A mysterious silhouette of an upcoming cat character (if you managed to snag one in a preview server)

And remember, the caption is half the fun! A witty “nyan” pun can go a long way in catching a judge’s eye.

The Cat Day trend isn’t unique to Genshin; many gacha games jump on the bandwagon, but few have a character as iconic as Diona to carry the banner. It’s a testament to how deeply the game has integrated cultural festivities into its living world. Last year, the #GenshinCatDay tag trended worldwide for several hours, flooding timelines with more cuteness than a Khaenri’ah-sized catnip stash.

So, ready to dust off your Kamera gadget? Snap that perfect shot, triple-check your hashtag, and may the gacha gods bless your entry with a win. Whether you’re a seasoned screenshot artist or a curious newcomer, Cat Day 2026 is your chance to celebrate all things feline—and maybe, just maybe, fill your Primogem pouch while you’re at it.

Are you participating this year? What’s your favorite cat in Teyvat? Tell us in the comments—but first, go take that picture! 🐾