While Japanese coin box toys feature sweet cats who kindly take your change for safekeeping, real cats like this prefer to do other things with your money!
Japanese Itazura Banks are cute little money box toys that look like cardboard boxes, each with an adorable animal like a cat hiding inside. Once a coin is placed on the side of the box, a paw reaches out to grab the money and slides it inside for safekeeping.
▼ This short clip shows just how adorable these little money boxes can be.
The coin boxes are so popular in Japan that the manufacturers have even released Hello Kitty and Godzilla versions. Inspired by the clever products, one cat owner in Japan decided to create the ultimate Itazura Bank – with a real, live cat. What could be cuter than a real kitten’s fluffy paw popping out to take a coin from its owner? That was the thought behind the creation of the homemade cardboard box toy, but in reality, things turned out to be a whole lot funnier than expected, as the cat does anything but take the coin from the owner. From grabbing at his hands to swiping the money away, there’ll be no savings in the house with a money box like this!
https://twitter.com/hiraemi_715/status/763571720259198977Since the cat’s owner, Twitter user @hiraemi_715, posted the funny video online, it’s received more than 40,000 likes and retweets. And if you’re worried about how the cat actually got into the box, this footage, taken from a different angle, shows the cat isn’t confined but is able to go in and out freely without assistance.
https://twitter.com/hiraemi_715/status/763681224137125889So how does the real-life version of the Itazura Bank work? First, you put the coin by the side of the box…
▼ And then the cat will reach out, claws extended, to scratch your hand!
▼ On other occasions, it will miss the coin entirely…
▼ Or simply swipe it far away! What a marvellous invention!
The funny video has been making Japanese Twitter users laugh out loud, with comments like:
“It’s more like a bloody piggy bank!”
“That looks like a painful way to try to save!”
“I can’t stop laughing at the huge difference between this and the cute toy box!”
“At least he retracted his claws for a handshake halfway through.”
“The ending was hilarious! How typical for a cat to swipe the money away.”
With a cat as funny as this, we’re sure its human won’t be able to resist continuing with the challenge to eventually get a coin in there one day. It might take forever to save anything, but the laughs generated in the process will be priceless!
Source: Hamusoku
Top Image: Twitter/@hiraemi_715
Screenshots: Twitter/@hiraemi_715




Pikachu money box is the cutest way to save money this year
Is this cute coin bank the ultimate expression of Hello Kitty’s true reason for existing?
Hatch dinosaurs by saving your money in new line of Japanese toy coin banks
Cute cat bank collects coins, makes fiscal responsibility adorable 【Videos】
New “All Night Cat Watch” toy series created in Japan to keep late sleepers company
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Tokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Stay in a Tokyo hotel with a train driver’s seat in the room
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
What’s so “Japan mind” about Häagen-Dazs’ new “Japan Mind” ice cream?
Ghibli background artist Naohisa Inoue’s painting technique is out of this world
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Fatal stabbing at Pokémon Center in Tokyo reignites concern over rising stalking cases in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Cute cat finds way to make humans bow down and worship him at Japanese shrine
Japanese vending machines now dispense cute cup clinging cats!
Cute cat stays cool in Japanese heat by snuggling up inside Dyson fan
Japanese cat sleeps so hard it flattens its head, scores a cuteness critical hit
Japanese Twitter falls in love with trash cat who jumps out of trash can【Video】
Cute cat shows us how to bow in apology, Japanese style【Video】