Midnight Fox Parade
Middle school boys in foxface and golden skirt-pants carrying gigantic fox heads through the streets of Tokyo? Can you think of a better way to ring in the new year? Every … Continue Reading Midnight Fox Parade
The Deli For Dogs
I was cutting through my favorite crazy pet store in Odaiba, when I spotted what I thought was a deli counter where pet owners who had become famished while stocking up on camouflage dog strollers … Continue Reading The Deli For Dogs
I Saw A New Wild Animal In Tokyo!
Walking home late one night, a flicker of unexpected movement caught my eye. When I looked up, there was something scampering along the phone lines above my head! A cat? A rat? No it was … Continue Reading I Saw A New Wild Animal In Tokyo!
Help, There’s A Hamster In My Drink!
Lately in Japan there’s been an explosion of vending machines selling little characters that perch on the side of your glass, so you never have to drink alone. But none of … Continue Reading Help, There’s A Hamster In My Drink!
Princess Kimono, Animal Style
Obscure seasonal references to geese and crows? So tenth century! Leaf viewing and strolling beneath the cherry blossoms? Been there, called it a cab. Let’s strap on our princess kimonos and hit the animal cafés instead! … Continue Reading Princess Kimono, Animal Style
The Angry Cat Ghost Vending Machine
Walking through Shinjuku station today, I discovered I had a burning need for angry cat ghosts. Fortunately, there was a bank of gacha-gacha vending machines smack in the middle of … Continue Reading The Angry Cat Ghost Vending Machine
Let’s Go To Bunny Island!
If your squee-meter isn’t totally burnt out after Fox Village, it certainly will be, after we check out BUNNY ISLAND! Okunoshima isn’t easy to get to, but that’s why there’s an entire chunk of land off the … Continue Reading Let’s Go To Bunny Island!
How To Make The Most Beautiful Lollipops In The World
OK, I admit, I did not make this lollipop. I went to the workshop taught by the artist who made it, but the thing I ended up making did not remotely, remotely, REMOTELY resemble … Continue Reading How To Make The Most Beautiful Lollipops In The World
How To Go To Zao Fox Village: Squeeee Capital Of The World
Jaded denizen of the interwebz that I am, there’s not much that makes me leap out of my chair and scream “WANT!” but when I first saw a picture taken at Zao … Continue Reading How To Go To Zao Fox Village: Squeeee Capital Of The World
The Fox Shrine To End All Fox Shrines
I knew I was going to love the Sasuke Inari Shrine from the moment I saw the long tunnel of red lacquer torii gates leading into the deep, dark woods. … Continue Reading The Fox Shrine To End All Fox Shrines
Tokyo Design Festa 2015: Seriously, You Can’t Make This Stuff Up
Last weekend, Tokyo’s Design Festa delivered a level of craziness so far beyond words that once again, I’m just going to have to show you pictures. First, from the double rainbow world of animal goods… … Continue Reading Tokyo Design Festa 2015: Seriously, You Can’t Make This Stuff Up
What Japanese People Talk About At The Aquarium
So, today as I wandered around the Sunshine City Aquarium, I couldn’t help but overhear a few conversations between my fellow fish enthusiasts. • When not eavesdropping on Japanese peoples’ … Continue Reading What Japanese People Talk About At The Aquarium
Wonder If They’ll All Be Named ‘Sonic’?
The newest pet craze to hit Tokyo: hedgehogs. For full enjoyment of your new pet, it would be best to adopt a schedule that includes all-night video gaming, as they are primarily nocturnal and … Continue Reading Wonder If They’ll All Be Named ‘Sonic’?
The Dog Blessing Shrine
Japan isn’t short on shrines that cure warts, protect your electronics from the forces of eviltude, and jumpstart your career as a manga artist, but this is the first one I’ve heard of that … Continue Reading The Dog Blessing Shrine
A Rabbit A Day At The Bunny Cafe
Hello there, bunnies! Wow, you are cute and friendly. Please don’t poop on me. Fortunately, lap diapers are dispensed at the door, so you can enjoy the lovely bunnies without … Continue Reading A Rabbit A Day At The Bunny Cafe
Urban Assault Stroller…For Dogs
The next time you need to sneak your dog out for a stroll without the enemy suspecting, bundle it into this craftily camouflaged dog buggy and infiltrate the local park. … Continue Reading Urban Assault Stroller…For Dogs
The Dog Sandwich Vending Machine
Litte. Plastic. Sandwiches. With dogs in them. Wat. • Read a novel set in Tokyo…
Bento Lunchboxes…For Dogs
You’ve been up since five, crafting the childrens’ Pikachu lunchboxes, but now the little darlings are blessedly off to school and it’s time to start worrying about your Shiba Inu Club … Continue Reading Bento Lunchboxes…For Dogs
Wack Hats For Cats
I just discovered a Japanese website featuring a slightly demonic black cat, who demonstrates just how rewarding cat hat tatting can be. This foxy feline has trained his human servant … Continue Reading Wack Hats For Cats
Crafting With Cat Fur!
For the ultimate mottainai (“don’t let anything go to waste”), round up all those floating clouds of cat fur in your apartment and craft some nyan-tastic gift items! Finger puppets! … Continue Reading Crafting With Cat Fur!
It’s A Duck! No, It’s A Dog!
Pet humiliation sinks to new depths with this muzzle that will turn any self-respecting pooch into a quacker. I saw these at the giant pet emporium out in Odaiba, and unlike … Continue Reading It’s A Duck! No, It’s A Dog!
Monkey Business
I was walking around the Decks shopping complex in Odaiba, and suddenly, MONKEY SHOW. Seriously. Right in the middle of the mall. A monkey show. Of course, trained monkeys have … Continue Reading Monkey Business
Doggie Diner
Even pooches who haven’t perfected the essential Sad Begging Face can score doggie-licious snacks at the Dog Department café! No trying to choose which knee might belong to the most … Continue Reading Doggie Diner
Real Live Tanuki Sighting!
Ahahaha, I bet you thought tanukis were the stuff of Japanese legends – crafty tricksters with notoriously large cojones who play pranks on gullible humans – but it turns out … Continue Reading Real Live Tanuki Sighting!
How much is that doggie in the…YOU’RE KIDDING!
¥269,800? For a puppy? At first I thought I was suffering from some kind of rare double vision only affecting zeros, but nope. That little white shiba-inu pup really is … Continue Reading How much is that doggie in the…YOU’RE KIDDING!
Trophy Dog
Ahaha, I walked out of my friend’s house in Yoyogi Uehara today and thought she had somehow acquired the dog version of that horrible singing bass fish! But in fact, … Continue Reading Trophy Dog
For Those Days When Your Dog Wakes Up Looking Like A Dog’s Breakfast…
Dog Hair Arrange magazine! Now you don’t have to pay those high salon prices for righteous bouffants or stylin’ extensions! This DIY publication teaches you everything you need to know about … Continue Reading For Those Days When Your Dog Wakes Up Looking Like A Dog’s Breakfast…
Skate Beagle
This is the most famous skatedog in Yoyogi Park. (Yeah, there’s more than one!) Most of them just sort of ride, with all four feet on the board, but this … Continue Reading Skate Beagle
Manga Schoolgirl Dogs
I didn’t think the Husky Club could outdo last month’s Husky kimono parade, but yesterday in honor of Japanese graduation season, they all turned up at the park dressed as manga … Continue Reading Manga Schoolgirl Dogs
Dogs In Kimonos
You can’t help but throw your head back and laugh in amazement when fifteen dogs parade by, dressed in Japanese formalwear. In honor of Hina Matsuri (the doll festival that happens … Continue Reading Dogs In Kimonos
Doggy Dumplings
As a child I had a hard time even biting the ears off chocolate bunnies at Easter, but I had an instant urge to make these little doggy dumplings. They’re … Continue Reading Doggy Dumplings
Gateway to Kitty Nirvana
In a country where many people live in places too small for pets, cat cafés are a booming business. For about $10 an hour, anyone (over the age of 12) … Continue Reading Gateway to Kitty Nirvana
Doggy Dinner
While many dog owners here do cook meals for their pooches – dogs here enjoy lives that would be envied by many children – this nabe pot just looks like a … Continue Reading Doggy Dinner
Canine Dining At The Dog Café!
After cavorting at the Dog Petit Resort Joker, Yoko and I took Fuki and Sala to their favorite Odaiba lunch spot: the Puppies Café. Every table comes equipped with a … Continue Reading Canine Dining At The Dog Café!
The Hot Spring Resort For Dogs
Just because you’re off for a day of enjoyment at the Oedo Onsen hot spring theme park doesn’t mean your dog has to mope around at home. Right next door is … Continue Reading The Hot Spring Resort For Dogs
Jonelle Patrick's Only In Japan 