Hard pressed to find good helping hands these days? Not bothered that these helping hands may not be human? Or you just want to pay peanuts to your waiters?

Then you may want to try hiring the same workers as used by the owners of the Japanese tavern Kayabukiya.

The local hangout just north of Tokyo employs a pair of Japanese monkeys called Yat-chan and Fuku-chan to serve their customers.

The younger of the two, Fuku-chan, usually begins the first shift and is quick to hand out customers a hot towel to help them clean their hands before they order their first drinks.

Both monkeys are well appreciated by customers who tip them with boiled soya-beans to enjoy during their down time.

tags: monkey, restaurant

In Japan, now back firmly in recession, the economic situation has taken a sharp turn for the worse in recent months. But the Japanese still like to use their money to have fun, as it turns out.

Those doggies are more relaxed in this Dog Cafe than the human customers.

While ago I wrote about cute “Cat Cafes” in Tokyo in “Rent-a-friend in Japan – Cat Cafes in Tokyo“.  If felines do not appeal, other establishments will rent you a rabbit, a ferret or even a beetle. Read more

tags: culture, dog cafe, rent-a-friend

In Japan, now back firmly in recession, the economic situation has taken a sharp turn for the worse in recent months. But the Japanese still like to use their money to have fun, as it turns out.

Japan's rent-a-pet business is booming despite the economic downturn.

tags: cat cafe, culture, rent-a-friend