It’s a common sight to see hot dog stands in America. In Singapore, ice cream stands are a lifesaver in the sweltering hot weather. In Japan, however, you’re more likely to find a yaki-imo (roasted sweet potato) stand on the streets, especially during winter. If you’re lucky enough, you might even meet the legendary cat that sells stone roasted sweet potatoes in Kurayoshi City, Tottori Prefecture!
Yaki-imo is a popular Japanese snack, especially during autumn and winter when the weather is cold. There are several ways of preparing yaki-imo; roasting them under a heap of fallen leaves in autumn, grilling them in a over charcoal, or even taking the short way out by cooking it in a microwave, but the method most commonly used by yaki-imo trucks is ishiyaki, which involves roasting the satsumaimo (sweet potato) among heated little stones.
In Kurayoshi City of Tottori Prefecture, there is a ishiyaki-imo seller who is famous for running the business in a furry cat mascot suit. Known as Mikeneko Yamada, this ishiyaki-imo stand is particularly popular among children, for very a obvious reason! It’s a cat selling roasted sweet potatoes! Prices start from 200 yen (US$2) for a small one, to 300 yen (US$3) for a medium-sized sweet potato, and 400 yen (US$4) for a large one.
▼ Mikeneko in business.
▼ Mikeneko on the road.
Mikeneko doesn’t always operate his stand at a fixed location so it might be a little tricky to hunt him down, but he occasionally tweets his location before starting the day, so if you’re determined to meet him, checking his Twitter or Facebook page is your best bet!
Source: Zhaizhai News
Images: Zhaizhai News, Ushi to Kuroneko Kusuribako, Daragyaru Biyori
The cat returns! Giant cat sells sweet potatoes from a pussy wagon in Japan 【Pics & Video】
Japan has a special foil for roasting sweet potatoes at home, and it’s like having a time machine
Hiyashi yaki-imo vending machine changes the whole way we think about roasted sweet potatoes
Enjoy the taste of fire-roasted sweet potatoes in a bottle with new “You Yaki-imo” liquor
Japanese arcades now have crane games where you can win sweet potatoes then roast them in-store
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s dedicated Nintendo store finally begins offering its exclusive items online
Busty Digimon anime figure not child-friendly enough for the West, now barred from sale overseas
Japanese-style accommodation at the new Premium Dormy Inn hotel in Asakusa will blow your mind
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Anime isn’t like reality: Big-breasted fighting edition
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in Kanto
Giant new nine-floor arcade opens in Tokyo, wants to welcome new and old games fans alike
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
Sweet potato donuts arriving at Mister Donut to let yaki imo fans get off to an early start
Starbucks unveils new Roasted Sweet Potato Frappuccino in Japan
Sign of autumn – Japanese sweet potatoes Frappuccino appears at Starbucks Japan【Taste test】
Weird Japanese vending machine find: Roasted potatoes in both hot and cold varieties
Back in Japan by popular demand: Ice cream that looks exactly like a roasted sweet potato
How to make your own hoshi-imo Japanese dried sweet potato snacks【SoraKitchen】
We try roasted sweet potatoes from a Japanese vending machine
Sweet! Mister Donut’s sweet potato donuts are here to get us into the autumn dessert mood ASAP
Can our writers tell which grilled sweet potato is 12 times more expensive?
Honey and butter-flavored purple sweet potato snacks sound too good to be true, but they’re here!
Japan’s super easy sweet potato spread lets you make sweet potato bread thanks to Don Quijote
Tokyo cafe serves up the artsiest version of a drinkable roasted sweet potato that we’ve seen yet
Comparing Japanese sweet potato ice creams that unite both summer and fall in one cup【Taste test】
Nothing to see here — just a giant cat selling puddings in Japan
Sweet potato sweets season arrives at convenience store Family Mart, so let’s go taste-test-crazy
Leave a Reply