While the Internet may run on cats, they’re certainly not the only cute creatures on the planet. (We’ll leave it up to you to decide if they’re the cutest or not…)
One of the underdog challengers to the Internet Cuteness Throne is the otter.
And this otter, named Piisu-kun, is bringing more than cuteness—he’s helpful, too!!
Residing at Tsukumi Dolphin Island in Oita Prefecture, Piisu-kun is an Asian small-clawed otter with a trick up his sleeve. (In his whiskers? We’re not sure where otters keep their tricks.) When you buy a drink from the vending machine, he’ll get it for you!
And if you think that sounds like quite possibly the cutest thing you’ve ever seen, well, you’re probably right!
After nearly leaping into the machine with the enthusiasm of a sugar-fueled child diving for presents on Christmas morning, the little guy digs the drink out for the thirsty customer. Then, gripping it tightly to his chest, he waddles back and presents it with a dead serious (and adorable) expression.
Japanese Netizens had this to say:
It’s cute, yes, but it doesn’t seem very hygienic…
Why does he check the change slot first??
That’s a level of cuteness lethal to humans.
That guy seems like he just keeps pounding coins into the machine!
It’s not enough that he’s just cute—that bird-like cry is just too much!!
His hands and nose and voice and nose are just too cuuuuuute!
It really made us wish we had an otter here at the office to help out with our daily fetching chores. He could dash around the office getting pens, paper, and bottles of ice to slap across our foreheads! Think of how much more productive we’d be!
We mentioned it to the boss, but he just shook his head and pointed out that we’d just spend all day gasping and sighing, “Kawaiiiiiiiiii!” He’s probably not wrong.
If you happen to find yourself in Oita Prefecture, be sure to stop by Tsukumi Dolphin Island, where you can swim with dolphins and meet lot of other adorable aquatic creatures!
Source: Kotaro

Marine park offers chance to shake hands with a loveable otter
Otterly adorable otters are here to make your day【Photos】
Five of the cutest otter videos from Japan
Meet Japan’s adorable otter YouTuber, Chiitan!【Video】
Want to shake hands with an adorable otter? You can right now at this Tokyo aquarium
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
This is possibly the coziest train in all Japan thanks to onboard hot spring footbaths【Pics】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
J-horror classic Ring 2 airing on Japanese TV with Zen monk offering prayers every time someone dies
Real Buddhist monk plays Super Mario Bros., recites prayers every time he kills an enemy【Video】
Who shall I be today? The amazing makeup skills of Zawachin
Japanese schoolgirls’ hemlines are still up, but socklines are way down
Mister Donut Japan to Change Product Ingredients for First Time in 42 Years
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Adorable napping otters in Mie Prefecture school humanity in how to relax
We go to shake hands with an otter, it’s like that scene in E.T. but way cuter!
What’s furry and wet and irresistibly cute? Otters … in your bath! [Video]
Hirakawa Zoo’s Twitter feed packed with baby otters, extreme levels of cuteness
Move over character bentos, we’re creating adorable otter doughnut holes!
Japanese otter full of personality winning hearts over Twitter
Seven “frogging” adorable kids belting out the F word!【Videos】
Devastatingly cute otters strike again — this time they’re just little babies!【Pics and videos】
Chiitan, the self-injuring otter mascot, to get own animated series
Forget the panda—this otter playing in the snow is the cutest thing you’ll see today【Video】
Chiitan the otter rejected as mascot character for Japan’s Susaki City due to reckless behavior
Pata the Otter celebrates her 20th birthday with a photo exhibit!
Pikachu, I choose you… to take over vending machines in Japan!【Video】
Pizza Hut in Japan is now run by four bossy felines in new adorable campaign
Leave a Reply