This Tokyo area is now being nicknamed “Rat Land” by people in Japan.
Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in Japan last night, after a day of heavy, consistent rainfall that caused rivers to break their banks, creating floods that overtook streets and residences in a number of areas.
It turns out that humans weren’t the only ones battling the elements, though, as the rats in Tokyo were also doing it tough after the typhoon dumped over a month’s worth of rainfall on the city in just one day.
This video — filmed in Shibuya and posted to Twitter by @okamura_0207 around midnight, shortly after the rain from Typhoon Hagibis cleared — gives us an idea of just how many rats were affected by yesterday’s adverse weather conditions. And when they came out after the downpour in search of food and dry land, it was an unnerving sight to watch.
渋谷にネズミ展開してる pic.twitter.com/pkUkRkA7T3
— オカムラ (@okamura_0207) October 12, 2019
The above clip shows not just one, not just two, heck, not just even a dozen rodents scurrying around a quiet street in Shibuya. With the city resembling a ghost town as people bunkered down indoors during the typhoon, it was a free-for-all for Shibuya’s furry residents, who were able to scurry around without any fear of getting in the path of human traffic.
▼ The video was filmed on this street in Shibuya, which is home to a number of well-known restaurants like ramen store Ippudo and sushi train restaurant Genki Sushi.
If that video above wasn’t enough for you, @okamura_0207 was kind enough to provide one more, giving us another angle from which to enjoy the rodent excursion.
— オカムラ (@okamura_0207) October 12, 2019
With rats of all shapes and sizes coming out to play, netizens were both disgusted and amused at the same time.
“I’d heard that rats come out and move around after disasters, and now I see it’s really true.”
“Escaping the flooded sewerage drains, I suspect.”
“This looks like a group of rats from the country out and about sightseeing in Tokyo!”
“Someone needs to call in the cats!”
“It’s like Tokyo Disneyland for rats.”
“Shibuya is Nezumiland [Rat Land]“
Humans may have Tokyo Disneyland, but the rats of Japan now appear to have an amusement park of their very own: Nezumiland. With a number of recent rat sightings in the area, including these videos showing the rodents partying at a konbini and browsing the racks at fashion retail chainstore H&M, Shibuya now runs the risk of having its Rat Land moniker stick for good.
Perhaps it’s time for the city to call on the Cat Man from Kyushu to come to the rescue with his pram full of felines in tow.
Source, featured image: Twitter/@okamura_0207
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Shibuya rats appear on streets as people stay home during coronavirus outbreak【Pics, Video】
Typhoon Hagibis turns Tokyo into an eerie ghost town【Pics, Video】
Flood victims send SOS tweets on Twitter in wake of Typhoon Hagibis
Shibuya convenience store overrun with rats 【Videos】
Typhoon Hagibis turns skies in Japan purply pink, makes people fear the end is nigh
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Can instant TKG from Don Quijote really recreate Japan’s beloved raw-egg-on-rice dish?
Studio Ghibli releases huge new wooden clip collection featuring 25 anime movies
Shinkansen trial of moderately air conditioned cars draws mixed reactions from travellers
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Tokyo’s Giga Mart lets visitors “steal” from a convenience store… if cameras don’t catch you
Studio Ghibli releases new Totoro coin purses…but who’s the blue character?
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji twice in five days for very dumb reason
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Two Americans decide to hike Mt. Fuji before trails open, both need rescues on back-to-back days
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
Three new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Solid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Japanese Internet thanks the “Underground Temple” that siphoned off Typhoon Hagibis’ torrent
Wild boars leap from river, run across rice fields like a scene from a Ghibli anime film【Video】
Typhoon Trami batters Japan, hits close to Tokyo with fierce winds 【Photos & Videos】
Typhoon Jebi hits Japan, blows away cars, roofs, and building facades 【Pics & Videos】
Man crosses Shibuya scramble crossing in inflatable ball
Astro Boy by street artist Invader disappears from Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward
Street footage from Hollywood movie “Tokyo Joe” shows post-war Shibuya colourised by AI 【Video】
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Shibuya Burger King releases tongue-in-cheek poster to announce it will be closed on Halloween
Shibuya capsule hotel comes with free beers, unusual beds and unique soundless wake-up system
Man shoots fireworks through crowd at Shibuya Scramble Crossing 【Video】
Japanese YouTuber sleeps on a bed in the middle of Shibuya Scramble Crossing【Video】
Foreign woman walks into bus, suffers injuries at Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble intersection【Video】
Japanese YouTuber fights on the streets of Shibuya in new real-life video game episode【Video】
Starbucks at Shibuya Scramble Crossing reopens, but is it really bigger and better than before?
World’s first Ikea veggie dog specialty store opens in Shibuya