Japanese Culture: Animal Cafés

It is common knowledge that the Japanese are a bit crazy about animals, especially cats (4k: I'm already hearing a Japanese scream "Kaawaaaaiiiiiiiiiii!!!" in my head). Since Japanese flats are very small, it is often not possible to have a pet - or the landlord doesn't allow it. This is how animals cafés came into being. Especially the cat cafés are pretty well known in all the world and this concept has been copied by people in many other countries - even in Berlin there is at least one cat café.

Today, there are other kinds of animal cafés, too, for example dog cafés or bird cafés. 4k really wanted to see such a café, but not a "normal" animal café like for cats. It should be something that wouldn't be possible in Germany (there are really, really high constraints when animals, people and food come together). But 4k was really lucky since right now the latest "hoot" (4k: I was really looking forward to write this all day! *g*) in Japan are owl cafés. Right, a café with owls (Again, 4k can hear a Japanese scream this typical "Äääääääääeäeäeäeeeeeeeehh.....?" in her head). Since 4k loves all kinds of birds of prey, she definitely had to check out an owl café. By chance she found out that there is one quite close to the Kansai Ki-in (maybe 15 minutes to walk there), so after going there that morning with many other camp participants, 4k set off to フクロウのみせ (Fukurou no mise).

Outside the café

4k arrived quite early, about 1 hour before the shop opened and was actually the first one to sign up for the first group of the day - together with a group of very nice Australian women. After passing the remaining time until the shop would open by eating Takoyaki (dough balls with octopus inside - really, really hot but very nice!) and walking around in the streets near Fukurou no mise, the shop finally opened and we were allowed in.

Inside the café

At first I'll explain how this concept works:
Before you can enter, you have to make a reservation. Reservations can only be made on the spot and only for the same day (so you can't call in advance and make a reservation for Friday next week). Each person gets a time slot of one hour in the café - you can stay longer but you're not allowed to pet the owls again or to take pictures of them. Each time slot begins exactly on the hour. You actually are allowed to bring your own owl, too, (keep in mind that this is Japan, so... why shouldn't someone have a pet owl? XD ) if you contact the staff in advance - and probably can meet a few conditions.

After entering and taking your seat the first you'll do is order your drink (in the overall fee 1 drink is included). You are also asked to clean your hands with a hand sanitiser (provided at the café). Then you'll get to hear an explanation of about 10 minutes how to interact safely with the owls. This is 99% in Japanese but they're using a hand doll so it isn't a problem at all to follow the rules (when in doubt you can still ask, of course). During this time you get the drink you ordered when you enter - but actually no one drinks now because everyone rushes over to the owls as soon as possible. You then have a bit more than 30 minutes to interact with the owl before you are asked to drink up and to pay (1.500¥ for an adult, which is about 11€).

The time with the owls is really enjoyable even though one owl seemed to have a bad day and tried to eat my left thumb. Luckily, it wasn't Shi-chan the Siberian Owl, who was the biggest hoot in town (and also very calm and nice). Her talons were about as long as my thumb so.. lucky for us that Shin-chan (the only owl that is not tied in the whole café) is so friendly. When I touched the owls, I was really surprised how soft their feathers were - and how little "real" bird there is since most of it seams to be feathers! XD

Even though I came alone, I have quite a few pictures of me with the owls since the nice Australian women offered several times to take a picture of me and the owls. Here are a few:

Interacting with the owls

I really enjoyed my time at the owl café (even though one owl's droppings missed my foot (sandals, hello!) be the skin of my teeth - but well... it's animals). I'm saying this although I have to admit that I'm a bit torn between enjoyment and a bad conscience since keeping owls like this is just a pretty... weird and unnatural thing. However, I really love owls and this is probably the closest you might ever get... so... make up your mind for yourself if you'd want to go or not if you get the chance. If another camp participant wanted to go, I'd definitely offer to lead the way... and come again. Maybe then I can carry this EXTREMELY KAWAIII ultra small owl on my shoulder.. ^^;

Extremly kawaii

Osaka Go Camp - Day 10 (Kansai Ki-in, Osaka Castle)

On Wednesday of the second week we did some sightseeing in Osaka, organized by the camp.

The first stop was the Kansai Ki-in, where we could watch the professionals play their games. Most of the participants were waiting in the Kansai Ki-in Go Salon on the first floor, while a small group was upstairs visiting the pros. The groups rotated so everybody got a chance to see the pros playing.

A funny thing I noticed was a professional sitting in his chair in the traditional Seiza. I always thought it was a formal posture when sitting on the ground (which is common in traditional Japanese settings). I tried sitting in Seiza once during the Himeji-trip - but only for several seconds. For me (and for 4k), it's really uncomfortable, but then I might have been doing it wrong or are just not used to it. This pro seemed to find it a really comfortable posture (or maybe it helps him concentrate?)

Pros playing

After lunch, a part of the group (not 4k since the weather didn't look very good for taking pictures) went to the main sightseeing spot in Osaka - the Osaka Castle. The current castle is actually a reconstruction (one of many), not the original building like the castle in Himeji, with the Osaka Castle Museum located inside. Thankfully this meant not so much stairs (Elevator desu!). The view from the top (8th floor) was great, similar to the view in Himeji (but compare for yourself).

Osaka Castle

View from Osaka Castle

The castle has an interesting history, conquering the castle was part of several important wars in Japanese history. Not much is known about the original building, which was constructed in the 16th century. Nearly all information uncovered about the old castle seem to be from the first reconstruction at the beginning of the 17th century, after it was conquered by another family and changed the owner.

In the 19th century, the castle was completely destroyed in a fire after being struck by lightening. It must have been an enourmous fire, since some of the damage is still visible on several of the castle walls today. Another interesting fact about the castle walls is that it contains some really big stones, with the biggest stone having a surface area that is bigger than a small single-room flat.

Biggest stone in the castle walls