Just because cats don’t like to work doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy watching other people work.
You can find cat cafes all across Japan, but Yuzu no Ie, in the town of Yurihonjo, Akita Prefecture, is special. That’s because, according to its owners, it’s the only cat cafe in Japan that’s right next to a rice paddy.
What, you’re saying that doesn’t motivate you to visit Yuzu no Ie more than any other cat cafe? Oh, sorry, I should have been clearer. See, being next to a rice paddy makes Yuzu no Ie special for the cats, because the cafe’s feline staff absolutely love the view, as this adorable video shows.
▼ The video was also sent out through the cafe’s official Twitter account (@yuzu_kitty16).
With spring here, the snows have melted and it’s time to start planting the rice for next fall’s harvest. But what’s work for the farmer who owns the field is the highest form of entertainment for Yuzu no Ie’s cats, with over a dozen kitties crowding the windows that face the paddy as the tractor goes by. “It’s like they’re fans at a concert,” remarked one online commenter, while another said “They’re giving the farmer a standing ovation at the end.”
The cute congregation even inspired a bit of fan art…
田植え最接近時 pic.twitter.com/UhLxMVey8C
— やまがたしょうへい/絵本『なんのかげ?どうぶつ?』発売中 (@yamagatasyohei) May 9, 2019
…which prompted the cafe to share an additional photo, as well as a second video, of the scene, showing things from the tractor driver’s point of view.
ありがとうございます🐾
— Cat house 柚の家 (@yuzu_kitty16) May 9, 2019
いい線行ってます😺💕 pic.twitter.com/ePfMUSWoSO
Cats aren’t normally thought of as particularly industrious creatures, so it’s unclear exactly what it is they find so fascinating about the field work going on right outside their home/workplace. Still, there’s no mistaking how much they enjoy watching the tractor go back and forth, so should your cat go missing, you might want to consider telling the local strays not only that you’re searching for your pet, but that you’ll let him watch some farming videos online if he comes home.
Meanwhile, if that farmer doesn’t rebrand his crops as “Akita Kawaii Kitty Rice,” he’s missing out on the best grain-based marketing opportunity since Japan’s Self-Defense Force fighter plane-raised rice.
Cafe information
Yuzu no Ie / 柚の家
Address: Akita-ken, Yurihonjo, Ichibanzeki 34-13
秋田県由利本荘市一番堰34−13
Open 1 p.m.-7 p.m. (Monday-Friday), 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday)
Official Twitter account
Source: YouTube/猫カフェ 柚の家 via Twitter/@yuzu_kitty16 via Japaaan
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where it’s impossible for him to write about Akita without craving some of the prefecture’s regional Hinaidori chicken.


Internet falls in love with cat’s first-ever encounter with carpet
Cute cat’s curiosity kills the Japanese sliding paper door 【Video】
Cute cat rescues sister from cardboard box 【Video】
Felines flee when Ed Sheeran plays “Thinking Out Loud” at cat cafe in Japan【Video】
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Date handsome cockroaches in a new dating sim from one of Japan’s leading pest control companies
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
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
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japanese Twitter falls in love with trash cat who jumps out of trash can【Video】
These cats “knead” you to show them some love【Video】
Japanese cat enjoys walks in the rain with his adorable tiny umbrella【Photos】
Japan now has a traffic safety video for cats to watch to help keep them safe on the streets
Cats in Japan still unable to resist destroying sliding paper doors in most dramatic way possible
Watch as these Japanese cats treat their brand new, giant cushion with extreme suspicion
Adorable video shows a bunch of cats tracking a stink bug flying back and forth across the room
Japanese cat and dog clocks with swishing tails make clock-watching more adorable than ever
Japanese cat gets in on trick-or-treating fun without saying a word thanks to clever idea【Video】
The cute cat that loves to ride to school on her hooman’s randoseru backpack every day 【Videos】