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
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Mr. Sato shares his own secret Ministop hack to help save the ailing convenience store
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Japanese schoolgirl talks foreigner out of suicide attempt on her way to class【Video】
Studio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
Honda Fit and Weekly Shonen Jump magazine create stunning Japanese itasha manga car【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 strangest kanji ever 【Weird Top Five】
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
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】
Forget the panda—this otter playing in the snow is the cutest thing you’ll see today【Video】
Chiitan, the self-injuring otter mascot, to get own animated series
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】
Stylish pup walks the street in China, rocks full outfit complete with hat and backpack 【Video】