One of these puppies isn’t interested in fitting in, and Japan is more than OK with that.
Japanese society places a great value on harmony, which can sometimes manifest itself as intense pressure to fit in. Kids wear uniforms at school, and companies have strict dress codes. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities with their classmates, and for many professionals their work unit is also the core of their social circle, so with so many compounded interpersonal connections, not rocking the boat becomes, in the eyes of many, an important life skill.
But not everyone bows to the perceived expectations of conformity. Kids, for example, are often much less inhibited in expressing their individuality, and it looks like that goes for other species as well, as demonstrated by these seven puppies owned by Japanese high school student and Twitter user @taka1237zo.
いや、お前も寝ろよwwwww pic.twitter.com/wxssaWf95h
— とか (@TKKN1237) February 3, 2016
At first it looks like all of the pups are taking a communal nap, which would be cute enough if it were the case.
But while the whole litter is stretched out on the tatami reed floor, one little guy isn’t ready to hit the sack just yet.
“Hey buddy, it’s bedtime for you too!” chuckles @taka1237zo, but if the tens of thousands of retweets he’s gotten are any indication, people across Japan are willing to give this little iconoclast a pass. Maybe in this case, the old Japanese proverb of “The nail that sticks up gets hammered down” isn’t as appropriate as “The nail that sticks up gets hammered-d’awwwwwwww!”
Source: Hamster Sokuho, Twitter/@taka1237zo

Emoti-pup! Twitter users’ hearts melt at photo of puppy with natural “frowny face” markings
Man finds adorable lost “puppy” on roadside in Japan, turns out to be adorable something else
Japan has too many adorable Akita dog license plate designs, needs help picking just one
Japan’s Kawakami Dogs: Descended from wolves, adorable as puppies 【Video】
Japan’s “Dog Mountain Castle” gets adorably invaded by cats【Photos】
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Man in Japan falls into hole with a bear in it
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Is this Japan’s most extreme cherry blossom viewing? Leap, cycle and climb through 2,500 sakura
Giant pipe mysteriously rises up through street in downtown Osaka
Japan’s lap-pillow ear-cleaning salons aren’t just for pervy guys, we find out
Japan’s kimono-style bra and panties bring traditional motif to modern lingerie design【Photos】
Our visit to the coolest Book Off used Japanese book store that we’ve ever seen
Our lonely reporter goes searching for Japan’s search-for-a-spouse vending machine
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
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
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