I think we can all agree that rabbits are already pretty adorable, right? And they’re much beloved in Japan, where they’ve got their own cafes and even an island.
But still, bunnies’ popularity regularly lags behind that of cats and dogs, so we could understand if they felt the need to step up their cuteness game. As a matter of fact, right now one breed of Japanese rabbit is winning new fans by appearing to cosplay…as another rabit?!?
Visitors to the Morioka Animal Park, a zoo in Iwate Prefecture, have been charmed this month by this resident of the facility.
盛岡は朝晩かなり冷え込むようになり、日に日に近づく冬を実感。そんな中、トウホクノウサギの毛が少しずつ白くなり始めました。なんだか耳付きのカチューシャをつけているように見えます。可愛いですね。見に来てください。 pic.twitter.com/E0K6nmaAiM
— 盛岡市動物公園 ZOOMO (@moriokazoo) October 20, 2015
Drawing the eye to your best features is a fashion fundamental, but seriously buddy, everyone is already looking at your ears because you’re a rabbit. What, are you worried that the elephants are creeping up on your title of “Best Ears in the Animal Kingdom?”
It turns out, though, that what’s going on is the exact opposite of an attention ploy. This breed of rabbit is called a Tohoku hare, named for Japan’s northeastern Tohoku region, where Morioka is located.
Having passed the midpoint of autumn, Japan’s Tohoku hares are getting ready for winter. Like the North American snowshoe hare, though, Tohoku hares don’t hibernate, so they need to be camouflaged as they traverse the snowy winter landscape. But just like you don’t take all of your sweaters out of storage on the first day in October that you feel a chill in the air, the Tohoku hare gradually sheds its brown summer coat, in place of which a white one grows.
Morioka Animal Park’s Tohoku hare just happens to have shed around his ears first, resulting in a remarkably distinct two-tone look. Similar things sometimes happen at other zoos in Japan with the breed, such as Yokohama’s Zoorasia.
Give them a few more weeks, and they’ll compete the process, turning entirely white in December.
Given Japan’s love of cute animals and special seasonal versions of things, we expect these guys to be getting a lot more visitors over the coming weeks.
Related: Morioka Animal Park, Zoorasia
Sources: Togech, FM Yokohama
Insert images: Yokohama City Zoo




This Year of the Rabbit, visit some of the best Japanese sightseeing spots related to rabbits
Japan’s Rabbit Island – Yes, it really does exist
We visit Tokyo’s rabbit café to celebrate Easter in the cutest way possible 【Photos】
Adorable bunny pouches from Japan look like real, live rabbits!
Man kicks bunny to death on Japan’s Rabbit Island, may have killed as many as 77 others
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
This is possibly the coziest train in all Japan thanks to onboard hot spring footbaths【Pics】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Beautiful sightseeing boat is a floating tea ceremony venue in east Japan’s best hot spring town
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
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
Cute Japanese bunny bags store your items and keep you company at the same time!
Trial of man accused of kicking rabbits to death on Japan’s rabbit island comes to an end
Japan falls in love with plant that grows cute rabbits pulling peace-sign poses
Nintendo’s Kirby is trying to eat pet rabbits in Japan【Photos】
Tufts of shed polar bear fur among the gacha prizes at Japan’s newest crazy capsule toy machine
The fate of jack-o-lanterns in Japan: to be adorably devoured by a writhing mass of bunnies
“Rabbits are liquid?” Escape artist bunny breaks free of its cage in Japan【Video】
Guinea pigs in Tokyo zoo get pampered in the cutest video of 2020
Starbucks Japan releases cute new zodiac goods for Year of the Rabbit
Part of long lost 90-year-old Disney short film “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit” rediscovered in Japan
Teeny tiny giant panda baby born in Japan【Photos】
Japanese Twitter falls in love with the sexiest squirrel Tokyo has ever seen
Japanese pet creates adorable “Where’s Waldo?” game by napping in pile of soft animals
Adorably derpy bunny melts even the most frigid hearts on Japanese Twitter 【Pics】
That’s not a rabbit, that’s Mother Nature’s version of Pikachu (also known as Viscacha)【Photos】
Leave a Reply