Ken-chan, the black cat that kept trying to enter museum in Japan since 2016, passes away

The black cat that had repeatedly tried to enter a museum in Hiroshima, Japan since 2016, only to get stopped by the vigilant security guard, has passed away.

News of the the demise of Ken-chan the feline was shared by the museum, Onomichi City Museum of Art, on social media X on Nov. 11.

Passed away on Sep. 20

Ken-chan passed away peacefully on Sep. 20, according to the museum.

The announcement was also made in another obituary notice tweet in English, where the museum informed the public that Ken-chan had been receiving treatment before his passing.

It also explained the significance of Nov. 11, the day the passing of Ken-chan was shared publicly.

The museum wrote: "November 11th marks the anniversary of Ken-chan becoming part of family. We will never forget our days with Ken-chan. Thank you."

Tributes pour in

The tweets were met with an outpouring of tributes, as museum visitors in Japan and from around the world extended their condolences and shared fond memories of having encountered Ken-chan.

Many posted videos and photos they took of Ken-chan, some of which showed the cat staking the museum entrance from the outside in a bid to enter unobstructed.

One photo showed Ken-chan approaching a sign that seemingly explained the need to be on guard as a black cat was always trying to get into the museum.

Ken-chan's antics well-documented

Ken-chan's antics have been well-documented by the museum over the years.

In one clip, he could be seen approaching the museum's entrance in a bid to enter its premises.

But the moment the security guard moved forward to stymie its progress, Ken-chan knows his game was up and he has been thwarted yet again.

He then fell to his side, pretending to laze on the ground.

Security guard loved Ken-chan

In real life, Ken-chan has brought joy to the security guard.

Both man and cat have been playing cat and mouse and hamming it up for the cameras for years.

In a touching tribute in the wake of Ken-chan's passing, the security guard was quoted by a Japanese media outlet saying: "Even now, it feels like he'll come from around that corner."

He added: "This is the first cat that got so attached to me, thank you for the memories."

Ken-chan merch

The museum has immortalised Ken-chan in merchandise, such as tote bags.

Ken-chan's battle with the security guard even became the basis of a manga, "Mr. Security Guard and the Cat", which went on sale in 2021.

In the wake of Ken-chan's passing, the museum has produced 500 copies of 2026 Ken-chan calendars, featuring the best shots of the distinguished gentlecat.

Ken-chan did make it into museum

It was previously reported that Ken-chan did eventually make it into the museum briefly in 2018.

Not the only cat

But Ken-chan wasn't always alone in his escapades, or rather, intrusions.

He was previously accompanied by an orange kitty, Go-chan.

Both cats had tag teamed at one point to enter the museum.

Go-chan similarly was stopped from entering the museum by the security guard.

Go-chan was eventually adopted.

But before Go-chan left for his forever home in 2019, he was briefly allowed into the museum.

Where did Ken-chan come from?

It was previously revealed by the museum that Ken-chan was a resident cat of a nearby restaurant.

Go-chan was introduced on the museum's Twitter account in 2017 in hopes of contacting his owner.

But no one came forward to claim Go-chan, until he was adopted by another person.

Top photos via Onomichi City Museum of Art