If you thought you’d have to travel to the African continent to rub ankles with a meerkat, you’ll be happy to know that they’re closer than you think. Just take a stroll down the Ginza boulevard on any given weekend and chances are you’ll run into three friendly meerkats soaking up the sun on the side of the street.
The meerkats have apparently been coming out to play for several years now, making their first appearance on the streets when they were just babies. We bumped into them last weekend so decided to take a few snaps for you at home!
The meerkats are happy to sit on their hind legs, lapping up attention from the growing crowd of onlookers. Quite why just one of them is dressed up, we’re not sure, but it doesn’t seem to mind too much!
They’re not alone though – they spend their time in the sun under the careful supervision of their owner, who sits near them on the side of the street, calming them with cuddles when they need a break from all the attention.
These two are the best of pals. Either that or the clothed meerkat was trying to cover up his naked friend for the cameras.
Although, surprisingly, the one on the left was unleashed and free to run amok, the babysitting instincts of the older meerkat kept everything under control.
The cheekier one of the three happily interacted with members of the crowd as they came in to take photos.
And then took his overalls off to pose for the cameras. Like a boss.
While we certainly don’t recommend owning exotic animals or taking them out in public spaces unleashed and dressed in cute pet clothes, it seems that pet owners in Japan are becoming a special breed of their own.
▼ Awwww.
Photos: RocketNews24
Japanese town’s Cat Street View lets you virtually tour its backstreets, meet feline residents
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
Studio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Are Japan’s room-temperature curry packets the boxed lunch heroes we’ve been looking for? [Taste test]
Studio Ghibli theme park announces new expansion saluting a previously off-limits anime
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Police ask Kumamoto residents to not get blackout drunk as much during earthquake relief efforts
Japanese convenience store food gets turned into hyper-realistic stationery you can peel open
Tokyo is getting a branch of famous Los Angeles hot dog chain Pink’s with Japan-exclusive items
Kumamoto earthquake may have created Japan’s newest hot spring inside flooded restaurant [Video]
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】