Category: japanese

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Photographer Captures the Funny Personalities of Stray Cats in Japan

I gotta say that Masayuki Oki’s photos are some of the best things I’ve seen in a while.

The Japanese photographer spends his time wandering around the streets of Tokyo taking snapshots of the city’s colorful stray cats and he really captures their fun-loving personalities in a unique and enlightening way.

Take some time with these photos and we think you’ll be a fan of Oki’s pictures, just like we are.

Enjoy!

1. The gang’s all here.

Who wants to join the party?!?!

2. I have a feeling these two might be related.

What do you think?

3. Not sure what’s going on here, but I like it.

Maybe she just really loves that pole?

4. A good place to chill out.

Anyplace will do, really…

5. Portrait of a kitty at night.

She looks very serious…

6. Hanging on for dear life.

Is this the actual inspiration for those “Hang in There!” posters?

7. I want both of them!

How adorable are they?

8. It’s like an optical illusion.

One goes this way, one goes that way.

9. Do you need a massage?

You look a little tense.

10. Doing her morning exercises?

And one, and two, and three, and four.

11. The cat and the guy in this photo have the right idea.

It’s always nap time!

12. Looks like someone just caught their lunch.

I hope it goes down easy!

Those cats are just delightful!

And now we’d like to hear from you.

Share some photos of your furry friends with us.

Do it in the comments, please!

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Photographer Shares Awesome Snapshots of Stray Cats on the Streets of Japan

It seems like there are a ton of animal photographers out there on social media, but I gotta say that Masayuki Oki has to be one of the best out there.

The photographer is based in Japan and he uses his camera as a tool to show the rest of the world what life for stray cats on the streets of Tokyo is really like.

And Oki always seems to capture the funniest and most revealing moments of these adorable and playful felines.

Enjoy this collection of Oki’s photos and talk to us on the other side in the comments!

1. Get a load of these two!

Cuteness overload, right here.

2. Look what I found!

This little fella is pretty excited.

3. Everybody come over here to stay warm.

How cute is this?

4. Reaching out for a little TLC.

How could anyone possibly resist that face?

5. Just found a snack.

And I don’t think the fisherman even noticed. Score!

6. Take a long morning stretch.

Ahhhhh, that’s better…

7. Out for an evening stroll.

This guy looks like he knows his way around town.

8. Showing the young ones how to do it.

This is totally adorable.

9. There’s a lot going on in this photo.

You better run for it!

10. Looks like a nice place for a snooze.

I think this will work just fine.

11. Soaking up the sun.

Well-fed and ready for a nap.

12. Two bosom buddies.

Just out for a leisurely walk.

Well, those are certainly delightful, aren’t they?

Now we want to hear from you.

In the comments, please share some pics of your pets and introduce us to them. Thanks!

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5 Interesting Christmas Traditions From Around the World

If you’re an American like yours truly, you have Christmas down pat here in the good old USA. We know the Christmas traditions, the songs, the pop culture surrounding it, and we know all about the good food we eat every December 25.

But what do folks do in other countries to celebrate this holiday?

Here are five interesting and unusual Christmas traditions from around the globe that you might not know about.

1. Japan

Ah. The jolly fat man with the... hold on...

This one is very unusual, but who are we to judge? In Japan, people enjoy eating Kentucky Friend Chicken on Christmas Eve. Only one percent of the Japanese population is actually Christian, but KFC’s “Christmas Chicken” bucket is a huge hit in the country.

In 2016, an estimated 3.6 million families celebrated Christmas Eve this way in Japan. The tradition dates back to 1974 when a group of foreigners in Japan couldn’t find a turkey and decided to go to KFC instead. KFC saw it as a good marketing opportunity, and the rest is history. Today’s version consists of chicken, cake, and champagne.

2. Ukraine

Ukrainian Christmas Tree at the Museum of Science and Industry, 2008

In Ukraine, people decorate their trees with fake spiders and webs. Why, you ask? According to that country’s folklore, there was a poor, single mother who couldn’t afford to put any decorations on her family’s Christmas tree. One night while the family was sleeping, a spider spun a beautiful web and decorated the tree. The sun turned the web silver and gold and the poor family never needed anything ever again.

A nice story, I think.

3. Guatemala

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Quema Del Diablo

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On December 7 at 6 o’clock in the evening, Guatemalans build bonfires to “burn the devil.” This tradition kicks off the Christmas season in Guatemala every year, and it especially popular in Guatemala City as a way to honor the city’s patron saint during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The tradition started with a simple fire during colonial times, then over the years devil figures and even devil piñatas have been added to the mix. It’s estimated that 500,000 bonfires now burn in Guatemala every December 7.

4. Greenland

The coders way of cutting mattak

Greenland doesn’t get a lot of mentions in the history books, but they do have an interesting Christmas tradition that’s worth noting. In that country of only 55,000 people (that’s half the size of Boulder, Colorado), the men serve the women their meals at Christmas. What’s the meal? Strips of whale blubber known as “mattak.” Dessert usually consists of porridge with butter, cinnamon, and sugar.

5. Venezuela

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This might be the best Christmas tradition I’ve ever heard! In Caracas, Venezuela, people strap on roller skates to head to church on Christmas Eve. The story goes that kids are supposed to go to bed with a piece of string tied to their toes and their foot dangling out of a window. People skating by the windows tug on the toe strings letting kids know it’s time to roller skate to mass. Despite the fact that people probably don’t sleep with their feet hanging out of the window, Venezuelans still roller skate to mass to this day.

When mass is over, people get together for food, music, and dance. I like this idea!

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A Company Is Offering Nonsmokers Six Extra Vacation Days to Make up for Cigarette Breaks

If you work with smokers, they take breaks constantly. I’m sure you’ve noticed this. I’ve worked with some people who took at least one cigarette break per hour and sometimes even more.

That time really adds up.

A company in Japan has taken notice and decided to give non-smokers an extra six days of vacation per year to make up for the time that smokers take on breaks. Piala Inc. is a marketing firm in Tokyo, and they decided to take this step after non-smokers at the company complained about working more than people at the business who take time each day to smoke.

A spokesperson for the company said, “One of our non-smoking staff put a message in the company suggestion box earlier in the year saying that smoking breaks were causing problems. Our CEO saw the comment and agreed, so we are giving non-smokers some extra time off to compensate.”

The company is based on the 29th floor of a building so you can imagine how much time was spent by smokers venturing all the way downstairs, taking a leisurely cigarette break, and then coming back up 29 flights. Like I said, it adds up.

Group of smokers, Tokyo 2016

Takao Asuka, the CEO of the company, said, “I hope to encourage employees to quit smoking through incentives rather than penalties or coercion.”

What do you think about this? Fair? Unfair? Unnecessary?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

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Chinese and Japanese Speakers Share the Dumbest Things They’ve Seen Tattooed on Someone

Tell me if this sounds familiar…?

Have you ever met someone who thought they were being really deep and spiritual with a Chinese or Japanese character tattooed on their body, but then they later found out that symbol meant “beef with broccoli”?

Lol,

It actually happens all the time, my friends. And these AskRedddit users shared some really good ones.

1. Actually, that means…

“Saw a girl with 魚 tattooed on her shoulder who swore up and down it meant poison… It means fish.”

2. Do you lift, bro?

“I was on the subway in NYC and there was a guy who clearly lifted a lot. He was wearing a sleeveless shirt and on his jacked arms in chinese were the words “牛肉麵” or “Beef noodle soup” for everyone to see. Man looked ready to get the rest of his favorite restaurant’s menu tattooed on his body.”

3. That’s a bummer.

“He thought it said “Love my grandson”. It translated to something like “I love fat boys”. I think it was a google translate failure of epic proportions.”

4. Not your name.

“”Tiny chicken” my friend got that thinking it said his name.”

5. Major eye roll.

“Chinese speaker here. In high school I worked at a CVS. A white woman showed up at the register with a very poorly drawn 力 tattoo, and I said “cool tattoo, means power”. She scoffed and replied to me like I was satan himself, and said “you obviously don’t understand Chinese “letters” the tattoo artist told me it means the strength to overcome anything, even breast cancer…” then she rolled her eyes at me and walked away.”

6. You blew it!

“My friend got a tattoo that said “veni vidi vici” in chinese, well so he thought. The tattoo acutally said “three small dishes”.”

7. Strength and courage…maybe.

“I was scrolling through the web at some tattoos for fun,a person said they got a tattoo that said “Strength and courage” in japanese. It actually said “Little animal, big mistake.” Great quote imo, but I dont think they thought so after they got it permanently marked on their skin.”

8. Uh oh. That’s not good.

“Not my story but a friend of mine.

She had a classmate in college with a kanji tattoo, confused she asked her what it meant.

“High princess”

Turns out it actually said “pig princess”.”

9. Might want to get a cover-up.

“I once saw this middle aged dude wearing “金魚佬” on his shoulder (the rough literary translation is “Goldfish Man”), which in cantonese means a sleazy older man who creeps on younger girls/children. Basically a pedo. Wonder under what circumstances he got that inked…”

10. Lookin’ tough…oh wait…

“机 on his fist. I haven’t taken Chinese but in Japanese it means ‘desk’.”

11. The Fat Man.

“”Kitchen” – confused the kanji, what he wanted I have no idea. “Fat man” – he wanted “big guy” (tough guy?) apparently.”

12. Opposite day?

“Gets a tattoo in google translate Japanese thinking it says “fear no one” but it really means “I fear everyone”.”

13. That’s…me?

“I once had a roommate placed with me in the apartment our company ran for us here in Japan. He was loud, obnoxious, and I generally didn’t get on well with him. But, you try to get along, so we’d go to the izakaya up the street from time to time with other friends to drink and have a good time. The owners were this wonderful old Japanese couple who loved having all these weird gaijin come and entertain the locals.

Anyway, somehow we get talking about tattoos and the roommate is showing his off. He then says that he got the kanji for “friendship” (友) and “peace” (和) tattooed on his back and lifts his shirt to show everyone. There’s a bit of silence, broken by someone asking, “Who’s Tomokazu?”

What Roommate didn’t know, of course, was that those two kanji in that order was a man’s name.

He reacted well, though, taking a beat and then announcing, “I’M TOMOKAZU!” which became a running joke while he was there.”

14. Hahaha, that’s good.

“40+ year old bald white guy with Chinese characters that translated as “I’m a cute little princess” on the length of his forearm.

Had a good laugh the rest of that day.”

15. Didn’t have the heart to tell him…

“I met a guy in the air port when I came back from living in Tokyo for 2 years who had just visited Japan. He had 2 symbols on his shoulder I noticed that were “off”. I stopped him and asked him what his tattoo said. He said ” It means strong will bro.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him….. his two symbols he picked in order were “dog poop”.

If you find this online…. im truly sorry bro. Ha ha.”

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Microsoft Japan Adopted a 4-Day Work Week and It Boosted Productivity by 40 Percent

Might this be a sign of things to come on this side of the Pacific Ocean? Let’s hope so.

Microsoft Japan recently trialed a 4-day work week and announced the results from the experiment.

Two big takeaways: the employees enjoyed the four-day week very much and productivity increased by 40%. Shorter, more efficient meetings were noted as one factor for the boost in productivity (DUH).

Microsoft called the experiment the “Work-Life Choice Challenge Summer 2019,” and it lasted for five weeks for the company’s 2,300 employees in Japan. Microsoft Japan president and CEO Takuya Hirano said, “Work a short time, rest well and learn a lot. It’s necessary to have an environment that allows you to feel your purpose in life and make a greater impact at work. I want employees to think about and experience how they can achieve the same results with 20 percent less working time.”

The employees of the company had to be more efficient with their time, which meant shorter meetings or remote meetings. That in turn led to more productivity. In addition to that good news, electricity use by the company dropped 23.1%, and employees printed 58.7% fewer pages of paper.

A whopping 92% of Microsoft Japan’s employees said that they enjoyed the shorter work week (surprise surprise). The company said it plans on repeating the 4-day work week trial next summer and might expand the experiment to other times as well.

I, for one, think this is a great idea if you work in an office or another job where people have to be present in order for things to be accomplished. I know that I would’ve preferred working four 10-hour days in my old office jobs as opposed to five 8-hour days.

What do you think? Share your ideas about this topic in the comments.

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15 Photos That Prove Japan Is Living in the Future

I haven’t had the opportunity to travel to Japan, but it is definitely at the top of my travel list. Why, you ask?

Well, all you really need to do is look at these photos. Not only are the people incredibly gracious, the food is great, and there are amazing sights to see, but the Japanese are really ahead of the curve as far as integrating technology into the day-to-day.

And these photos prove it. Take a look and start dreaming about your next overseas trip…

1. A robot restaurant!

2. That looks like a great dining experience.

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Just came to get sushi in Japan ?

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3. Coming right up!

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If all food was served like this… ??

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4. Or delivered by train.

5. Heated toilet seats.

6. Photobooths are on point.

7. Look at that vending machine.

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이건 뭐.. 거의 누들로드?: Afuri 라면편

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8. Tiny sleeping capsules.

9. Sparkling subway.

10. That’s gas station food in Japan.

11. Really nice desserts.

12. Food on the train is darn good, too.

13. That’s what you can get at a baseball game.

14. Fish for your dinner!

15. Museum design is fantastic.

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Borderless between art and science

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What year is it again? See what I’m talking about?

Like I said, way ahead of the curve…

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Take a Look at This Cat Shrine with a Cat Monk in Japan

If you love cats, you know that our fuzzy feline friends have a lot of personality and they like to play by their own rules. Well, in Japan, there’s a shrine where the cats are in charge and us mere humans are just there to admire them…and pet them, if they are so inclined.

I have a feeling that if more people knew about a place, called Nyan Nyan Ji, they’d go there in a heartbeat. Nyan Nyan Ji actually translates to “Meow Meow Shrine,” so you already know the place is amazing. It’s a shrine in Northern Kyoto with a cat monk and cat assistants…and no I’m not messing with you.

Cats are meant to be worshipped, so this makes total sense. The shrine was opened by Toru Kaya, a shrine and temple painter. The head cat monk is named Koyuki, and by all accounts, he loves to mingle with visitors. There are other cat priests and cat assistants, as well.

There’s a cat cafe on the grounds where visitors can even enjoy cat-themed food. And, of course, there is also a gift shop where guests can purchase cat-related items. I’d call this a very spiritual destination, wouldn’t you?

Here are some of the reviews, in case you need a little convincing:

“Super adorable with a relaxing and fantastic atmosphere.”

“A cute cat is a chief priest. I’m healed.”

Be sure to follow Koyuki on Instagram and follow the shrine on Facebook.

Am I dreaming? This sounds like paradise!

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An Airline Now Features a Booking System That Shows Where All Babies Are Seated on Its Flights

I don’t get super frustrated and freak out when a baby by me is crying hysterically on a plane. That’s why you always bring earplugs AND headphones when you travel, so you don’t really have to hear anything at all except the music you’re listening to. (Pro tip: this means you also don’t have to talk to anyone, which is always nice).

But let’s get to the point of the story. Some people really do get upset about screaming, fussy kids on their flights. So leave it to the innovative Japanese to come up with this idea.

Japan Airlines unveiled a booking system that allows customers to see exactly where babies are seated on flights. Genius!

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Spot the difference on this particular seating chart. @japanairlines_jal and Korean Air are now showing where infants are sitting so you can choose your seat accordingly ?. . . Whats your take on this, is this a helpful perk, parent shamer? Or do you think they’re going to charge more for seats in the long run.. “bidding for seats, far away from babies” . . —- #fatmentravelling #bigandtallfashion #plussizemenswear #instago #instavacation #menofsize #passportready #travelblogger #fatgirlstraveling #travelblog #babyonboard #babyonflight #travelhustler #travelisthenewclub #flyfluffyandfabolous #bearsofinstagram #cubsofinstagram #pointsandmiles #travelholic #bigguys #fatgirlstraveling #bodyposivity #plussizetravel #fatgirlstraveltoo #instatravel @british_airways @lufthansa @virginatlantic @easyjet @ryanair @thomascookairlinesuk #travelnoire #effyourbeautystandards #baby #iamsizesexy #travelgoals2018 @bbc_travel @theellenshow @travelnoire @holidaypirates @travel_con @blacktraveljourney @travelandleisure @travelchannel

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Once you’ve booked a flight on Japan Airlines and it’s time to check in, you’ll see a seating chart of the plane with baby icons showing where little ones are seated on that particular flight. The airline’s website says: “Passengers traveling with children between eight days and two years old who select their seats on the JAL website will have a child icon displayed on their seats on the seat selection screen. This lets other passengers know a child may be sitting there.”

That means you need to select your seats as early as possible to avoid sitting next to screaming, puking children, if that kind of thing bothers you.

One other thing to keep in mind: sometimes the baby icon might not appear on seating charts. Examples include if a block of seats is booked for a tour or with award tickets, if tickets were selected in places other than the Japan Airlines website, or if for some reason the aircraft was changed at the last minute.

Still, that’s progress, right?

I have a feeling this feature will become very popular and other airlines will start doing this and they’ll make it even more streamlined. Hooray for innovation!

And remember: don’t forget your earplugs and headphones.

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Check out These Hats for Cats Made out of Their Shed Fur

If you’re a kitty owner, you know that you spend a lot of time cleaning up after them as they shed. You’ll find mounds of fur in the corners, under the beds—basically everywhere and anywhere.

Japanese photographer Ryo Yamazaki and his wife Hiromi have come up with an inventive way to use all that fur shed from their three cats, Nyaa, Mar, and Mugi: they take the fur and make  little hats for their kitties to wear around the house.

I love it! And I think you will, too…

1. From high on the perch.

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なんと!? ? サントリー「GREEN DA・KA・RA」( @suntory_greendakara )のCMでお馴染みのダカラちゃんが遊びに来てくれたよ♪??✨ 実は、我が家の三男坊ムギの名前は「やさしい麦茶」のムギちゃん（ダカラちゃんの妹ちゃんです?）からいただいたので、何だか感慨深いものがあります?✨ せっかくなので、ムギちゃんのオカッパヘア＆帽子でコスプレして、ダカラちゃんと御対面〜?‍❤️‍? 一緒に写真を撮ったり、猫じゃらしで遊んでもらいました? ダカラちゃん、ありがと〜? ． ちっちゃい頃からTVCMで見ていたので、随分大きくなったね〜と親戚のおじさんの様な気持ちで思わず嬉しくなってしまいました♪?? クリクリおめめのダカラちゃん、とっても可愛かった?? ． ニャア兄貴は、ダカラちゃんに水滴とちゅ〜るまでもらって終始ご満悦? そしてマル兄貴はというと…案の定ソファ下から1度も出て来ず??‍♂️? . OMG!? Japanese cutest TVCM actress "Green Dakara-chan" came to my home!? . #? #サントリー #グリーンダカラ #やさしい麦茶 #ダカラちゃん #ムギちゃん #抜け毛貯金 #抜け毛貯金 #抜け毛帽子 #抜け毛アート #帽子屋NUKEGE #ねこかぶり #水滴ソムリエ #cat #scottishfold #catstagram #catsofinstagram #instacat #猫 #ねこ #ねこ部 #ふわもこ部 #ペコねこ部 #スコティッシュフォールド #サバトラ #茶トラ #しろねこ #白猫

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2. Sunflower cat in the hat.

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「ねこ休み展 夏 2019 in Gallery AaMo」? 本日をもって無事会期を終えました? 開催中は多くの方にご来場頂き、抜け毛三兄弟より厚く御礼申し上げます??? そして主催のベーコン様、ギャラリーAamoスタッフの方々、出展者の皆様、暑い中長期間に渡って本当にお疲れ様でした?? かつてない程の大きな展示会に参加させて頂き、素敵な夏の思い出となりました? 重ねて感謝申しあげます♪??‍♂️ . Neko break Exhibition in Tokyodomecity just finished.? Thank you for your attendance. I look forward to seeing you again.??? . #抜け毛貯金 #抜け毛貯金 #抜け毛帽子 #抜け毛アート #帽子屋NUKEGE #ねこかぶり #抜け毛ジャビット #東京ドームシティ #GalleryAamo #ねこ休み展 #cat #scottishfold #catstagram #catsofinstagram #instacat #猫 #ねこ #ねこ部 #ふわもこ部 #ペコねこ部 #スコティッシュフォールド #サバトラ #茶トラ #白猫 #しろねこ

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3. Looks very studious.

4. Is there a fire?

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9月1日は防災の日??‍? 近所で大規模な東京都と多摩市の合同総合防災訓練があったので見学してきた? 我が家も猫3匹連れて逃げる時の為に日頃からイメージと備えをしておかねば? . 9.1. Disaster Prevention Day??‍?? . #umatan先生の新作2つ #抜け毛消防ヘルメット #抜け毛ピーポくん #防災訓練 #防災の日 #多摩センター #抜け毛貯金 #抜け毛貯金 #抜け毛帽子 #抜け毛アート #帽子屋NUKEGE #ねこかぶり #cat #scottishfold #catstagram #catsofinstagram #instacat #猫 #ねこ #猫部 #ねこ部 #ふわもこ部 #ペコねこ部 #みんねこ #NEKOくらぶ #もふもふ #スコティッシュフォールド #サバトラ #茶トラ

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5. Kind of looks like a wig. Boris Johnson?

6. A very solid entry. Let’s play ball!

7. Now that is impressive.

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『ねこ休み展 夏 2019 in Gallery AaMo』追加情報⚾ 読売ジャイアンツの人気マスコットキャラクタージャビットくんを三兄弟の抜け毛で再現した「抜け毛ジャビットくん帽子」が東京ドームシティのアーモギャラリー会場に実物展示されます⚾(※オフィシャル公認) 更にrojimanブースでは過去の人気帽子パネルに加え、抜け毛で出来た動物達をテーマにした「抜け毛動物園(Zoo)」を展開します。????? 夏休みのちびっ子達も是非遊びに来てね〜? #読売ジャイアンツ #巨人 #ジャイアンツ #ジャビットくん #抜け毛ジャビット . 開催日時:7/12(金)〜8/25(日) 場所:東京ドームシティ Galley AaMo . The Cat Holiday Exhibition summer 2019 in Tokyo dome City starts soon⚾ . #ねこ休み展 #galleryaamo #抜け毛サロン #抜け毛貯金 #抜け毛帽子 #抜け毛アート #帽子屋NUKEGE #ねこかぶり #cat #scottishfold #catstagram #catsofinstagram #instacat #猫 #ねこ #猫部 #ねこ部 #ふわもこ部 #もふもふ #スコティッシュフォールド #サバトラ #白猫 #しろねこ #茶トラ

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8. Ready to listen to some yacht rock.

9. About to get beamed up to space, perhaps?

10. Emperor of the house.

Adorable, don’t you think? And very creative.

Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram.

Do your pets wear any hats or clothes? Share some pics in the comments!

The post Check out These Hats for Cats Made out of Their Shed Fur appeared first on UberFacts.