Mister Donut: An American classic you’ve never heard of

Tokyo (Day 2)

So many choices… but he chose plain (the strawberry one is for me)

With not a care in the world, we spoiled our dinner with a trip to Mister Donut! This North American icon was quashed by Dunkin’ Donuts and barely exists in the U.S. anymore, but the Japanese know a good thing (or a cute name) when they hear it, and it is now the largest donut chain in Japan.

Though no one here spoke any English, donut is a universal language, and so with a point of the finger we had our snacks. Meandering through the Ikebukuro shopping district, we left a trail of light and not especially notable donuts crumbs between the store and our room.

Inviting, right!

Nekobukuro: Where the cats live!

Tokyo (Day 2)

Seriously, this is the biggest cat I’ve ever seen!

I wish you could also nap in human grocery stores!

On our way back to our hotel, we stopped at the Ikebukuro Tokyu Hands to visit the result one of Japan’s greatest ideas, the Nekobukuro! Cat houses and cafes have spring up all over Japan in response to some people’s inability (due to time/money/landlords) to own cat. In a culture that adores all things cute, lack of cat affection is simply unthinkable… so for 1000Y customers get unlimited access to free-roaming cats in a kitty playland.

The main event!

All the cats were rather sleepy… too much pampering?

The various nooks have classily quirky themes, like “Grocery Store” and “Dishwashing”, matched with a Hello Kitty television playing cat cartoons. People of all ages sit and pet the cats… some people even become strangely possessive… there was one little girl who claimed an entire corner (along with two cats) as hers alone.

This tough little girl wasn’t leting anyone touch “her cats”