A very common scene in Asian dramas and movies is where the doting parent or significant other fetches an ear pick and starts poking away in the other person’s ears. This event is commonplace in Asian families for reasons ranging from “it’s a lover’s ritual” to simply “I need to get that earwax out of your ear” (BTW: The earwax of Europeans and Africans is apparently different to the earwax of Asians and Native Americans).
Typically, the person getting their ears cleaned has their head in the other person’s lap, their eyes closed, enjoying the ear pick getting to places a finger can never reach. And it turns out that our ever-curious furry feline friends have taken notice of this relaxing event and have decided that they too want their ears cleaned.
And what’s even stranger is, they seem to like it!

Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Fruits Basket and Ouran Host Club, two of the best reverse harem manga, going free-to-read online
Dove ad slams Japanese beauty ideals, backfires with complaints from public instead
History’s worst job? Japanese noblewomen used to hire servants to take the blame for their farts
Japanese paralympic athlete plays emotive violin piece using her prosthetic arm as the bow【Video】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Retro Japanese train is our new favourite office space
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
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
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
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
Dove ad slams Japanese beauty ideals, backfires with complaints from public instead
History’s worst job? Japanese noblewomen used to hire servants to take the blame for their farts
Japanese paralympic athlete plays emotive violin piece using her prosthetic arm as the bow【Video】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Retro Japanese train is our new favourite office space
How to get all-you-can eat doughnuts at Mister Donut for just 12 bucks!
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
This is what happens when you order US$80 of extra pickles on a Burger King Whopper
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Hey, 2020s kids! The ’90s have a sticker picture message waiting for you in Tokyo
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2025