
It’s enough to make you quit your job and take up grass munching full time!
Now, we don’t know what your workplace is like, but most jobs have quite a few rules. For better or worse, bosses tend to have pretty strict ideas about what they want you to be doing while they’re paying you. We suppose we can understand why, but it doesn’t mean we have to like it!
So, when you see the employment contract these adorable sheep have with the Otaru Aquarium, there’s a good chance you’ll feel more than just a pang of envy. Especially that bit about basically taking a break whenever you want!
家族サービスで小樽水族館に行ったら羊が草食っててさ
— ぱらきんa.k.a 買収 (@baisyuu03) May 5, 2016
見たら労働条件が掲載されててコーヒー噴いた pic.twitter.com/GymKnYTGYu
Fixed-term contract employees — Terms of Employment
Mr. Sheep
Contract Period: April 20, 2016 to maybe the middle of October
Place of work: All the grassy fields around the aquarium
Contents of work to be attended to: Eat the grass that has grown long so we don’t have to use a lawnmower.
Work start time: Roughly 9:00 a.m.
Work end time: Until about 5 p.m.
*During Golden Week and Obon, work may start early or end late.
Break time: Take a break for however long you want, whenever your want
For example: When you’re feeling full / When you’re feeling tired / When you want to rest in the shade because it’s hot
Remuneration: As much of the growing grass as you want
(Due to the salty breeze, you’ll get an appropriate amount of salt, so you needn’t lick a salt block. You can drink water from the bucket whenever you want.)
Other: In addition to eating the soft spouts, please also eat the harder stalks.
Obviously, the “employment contract” is meant as a joke — but even so, it looks like the sheep are doing their best to honor it!
▼ Look at the little fluff balls hard at work!
労働条件通知書#契約社員 #ヒツジ殿#おたる水族館 pic.twitter.com/BRn0IJBKck
— 伊藤はるか (@itou_haruka) May 5, 2016
As you might imagine, quite a few Twitter users expressed a certain jealously of the sheep and their lax working conditions.
▼ “I want to be a sheep.”
https://twitter.com/kojijokr/status/728461130549460994But we have to say, we’re pretty sure not many people would actually be happy sitting around and eating grass all day. Now, if the aquarium had an ice cream field that needed regular mowing, we’d be the first in line!
▼ Apparently the sheep earned praise for their good work last year.
今年もえこりん村の羊が、おたる水族館の臨時職員として重要な任務を帯びてきょう旅立ちました。
— えこりん村【公式】 (@ecorinvillage) April 20, 2016
重要な任務とは、水族館敷地内の草刈り作業です。
昨年も「いい仕事をする」と評判でした。 pic.twitter.com/hPK3DVOYBQ
▼ Heck, even their commute looks better than packing into a Tokyo subway!
▼ They even have servants to help them get around.
And we’re glad to see these sheep aren’t causing trouble with their farts or trying to escape like certain “animals” in Tokyo. But still, this might not be the easiest job any sheep has ever had, since we suspect that claim to fame belongs the sheep staffing this cafe in South Korea!
Sources: BuzzMag, Twitter/baisyuu03
Featured image: Twitter/itou_haruka
Images: Twitter/ecorinvillage



New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
What’s white and sweet and smells like your first love? This tart made from white strawberries!
New Totoro carabiner pouches are ready to clip/tag along with you on all your adventures[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
What’s white and sweet and smells like your first love? This tart made from white strawberries!
New Totoro carabiner pouches are ready to clip/tag along with you on all your adventures[Photos]
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Not a fan of dishwashing? Get yourself an electric, plate-scrubbing robot appendage
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
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
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
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
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Not a fan of dishwashing? Get yourself an electric, plate-scrubbing robot appendage
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
Downtown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
50 different Hello Kitties from across kawaii history appear in McDonald’s Japan Happy Meals【Pics】
The dream of riding Final Fantasy Chocobos is coming to Tokyo VR centers
Death Spray from Japan causes buzz online for powerful ability to cut ties with bad energy
Japan’s craziest gadget maker made this gadget that was too crazy to succeed, but what is it?
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
All-you-can-drink deal for US$4 in Shinjuku is one of the best finds in Tokyo