Japanimals (日本動物)
Most of these are live animals. There may be a repeat shot here or there. I know the eels are also in the Tsukiji Gallery, but the opportunity was just too good.
Friend with kitty cat at Shinshogokuraku-ji (Shinnyo-Do) temple. Kyoto. 2009.
.
Tiger. Hitachi’s Kamine Zoo. 2008.
.
Deer. Nara Park, just in from of ToDai-ji. Nara. 2001.
.
Kyoto City Gov’t sign. Doggy’s saying: “You forgot some poo.” In red it says, “Take your poo home!” 2008.
.
Some guy with a snake. Hitachi. 2008.
.
Tanuki. “Lucky Badgers.” Kyoto. 2008.
.
Ikebukuro, Tokyo. August 2011.
.
Fish. Tsukiji Market. Tokyo. 2009.
.
Rain Dogs. Kyoto. 2009.
.
Sign for restaurant on the back of a Kyoto City Bus for “The Astonished Donkey” restaurant. Above, it says simply: “Hamburger Restaurant.” You decided why the donkey’s so astonished.
.
Paper mache (or something like it) kitties. Corner of Jingu-michi and San-jo. Kyoto. 2009.
.
Eels. Tsukiji Market. Tokyo. 2009.
.
LetsJapan 
Big snake!!!
The deer is beautiful. Is the cart advertising deer cookies?
Yes, deer cookies. A little pack of rice/millet/something you can buy for 100 yen to feed to the deer. The Buddha taught his firs sermon in a deer park, so having one in Japan (the one in Nara goes back hundreds – a thousand? – years; Todai-ji temple was established in 728) seemed like a good idea.
Yes, big snake. Just as Hawaiians put leis around the necks of visitors, right when they step off the plane, so too do Japanese put huge snakes around the necks of all visitors upon arrival in Japan. It’s a little known custom.
mmmmm unagi…. 😉 – I like the eels. are those little enough to be called elvers?
I’m glad you enjoy eels. I figured I should juxtapose The Fluffy with the Not So Fluffy.
.
More please!
How are dogs and cats treated in Japan? Are they kept as pets? Do you know what they are fed?
Do they have an overpopulation problem?
Are they allowed in public places as in Europe?
I see they wear raincoats so perhaps are not as waterproof as some American dogs. 😉
Dear Tracy,
First of all thanks for your excellent comment and questions (back to those in a second).
Second, I apologize for it taking several hours for me to get to this to “moderate & approve” it. I’m pretty sure that now you can post comments and questions without waiting for my moderating “seal of approval.”
Third, the reason it took me so long is because I’m a Board Member/Volunteer with Birmingham’s Magic City Art Connection (Festival) and we had our Big Day today in Downtown B’ham and I’ve been there all day; a day as beautiful as yesterday’s was stormy here in the Southeast.
And, finally, spurred-on by your excellent questions (each of which is dissertation-worthy, mind you), I will update this post within 48 hours and answer you based on my experience(s) in Japan. I’ve got to run for now, though, and take my patient doggy for a well-deserved walk.
All kind things,
Richard