As she explains on her Tumblr profile, Sapporo-based illustrator TAO is particularly fond of cats, Showa Era things, and sneakers. With their cheerful tone and kawaii characters enjoying relaxing moments, coffee mug in hand, her artwork will surely put a smile on your face or dispel any clouds hanging over your head.

Her most recent illustration perfectly encapsulates the feel-good, relaxing mood and Showa Era nostalgia that characterizes much of her work:

Title: "ねこカフェ市電 (Cat cafe municipal tram)"

Perhaps inspired by cat cafe train events such as this one by Yoro Railways in Gifu Prefecture, TAO imagines a municipal streetcar, the likes of which were very common in the Showa Era but have become very scarce today, turned into a cat cafe serving old-fashioned siphon coffee. Endearing little details abound in the picture. In addition to signs such as "Coffee: 250 JPY / cup," "Free refills," "Cat snacks: 100 JPY," and "Please take one" next to a container of cat teaser toys, there's also an advertisement which says: "New: Tasty cat canned food which you can eat together with cats!"

Title: "猫のいる喫茶店 (Coffee shop with cats)"

The happy, relaxed mood and the cute cats are an obvious plus, but the nostalgia factor can largely be attributed to the cocktail table mahjong video game. Previously a fixture in most Japanese coffee shops, they're all but extinct. If you're lucky and know where to look, you'll find one at long-established coffee shops like Mine in Toyocho, Tokyo.

Title: "らんちゅうとは (What is a ranchu)"

A ranchu is a highly-regarded fancy Japanese goldfish, and apparently the object of this girl's curiosity as she enjoys a moment in a charming little aquarium / library. Whether a figment of the artist's imagination or based on a real place in her native Sapporo, it looks like it would be a wonderful place to visit and spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon.

Let's take a look at a few more of her illustrations...

Title: "虹 (rainbow)"

Title: "いつもと違う道 (A different path than usual)"

Title: "ひとやすみ (A short rest)"

Title: "色が増す夜 (Night becomes more colorful)"

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Music also appears as a theme in TAO's artwork. She not only enjoys listening to music but also contributes art for album covers and music videos

Title: "▶再生 (▶Play)"

Musical Collaborations

TAO has an ongoing collaboration with kawaii futurebass track maker Matsushima, contributing artwork for his music videos posted on video sharing site Nico Nico Douga:

Original artwork, music video for Vocaloid song パステルフィルター (Pastel Filter) (Volcaoid 4 Otomachi Una)

Original artwork, music video for Vocaloid song ティラミスの思い出 (Memories of tiramisu) (Volcaoid 4 Otomachi Una)

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If you'd like to see more of TAO's artwork, you can follow her on Tumblr, where she also posts making videos and production notes for the benefit of other artists, or on Pixiv and her Twitter account.

You can buy iPhone cases featuring her illustrations on her online shop here.

Also, if you'd like to support her art, you can sign up at her Pixiv Fanbox page.