This cool cat has been seen regularly taking the train in Tokyo by himself, and has become a hit with the human passengers.
The seasoned traveller, who reportedly rides the city’s Seibu Ikebukuro train line by himself on a regular basis, has apparently led some animal lovers to catch the train just so they can meet him.
The Seibu Ikebukuro line isn’t particularly cool, traditionally — it’s not even run by Japan Railway (JR) — but Rocket News 24 reports that’s all started to change since this kitty commuter started frequenting the train way back in 2013.
Here are a few of the sightings…
どうやら池袋で遊んだ帰り路の
ネコらしいよ pic.twitter.com/sgv8bvYzeZ— 【BENちゃん®】 (@manpukuoya) January 17, 2016
池袋西武線改札に猫おった。かわいかったฅ^•ω•^ฅ pic.twitter.com/PhMzBEhqLT
— けいもんど@悪魔城HD (@fu_matu) August 30, 2013
西武線に猫乗ってた。 pic.twitter.com/UohNXLNFpn
— hama_bot (@hmmtkntr) August 24, 2014
あれ??自分も西武池袋線内で猫乗ってるの見つけたんだけどどう見ても同じ猫だwww<rt pic.twitter.com/Lti1tddmKH
— iro (@irohamu) March 12, 2016
西武線に猫ナウ
箱座り、電車慣れしてる☻ pic.twitter.com/osamTkDZuw— kumikoy (@kumikoya2737) July 12, 2015
The free-wheeling feline is something of a felon — pets are meant to be placed in animal carriers before boarding trains, for the protection of passengers with allergies (and those simply wanting to keep their clothes free of furballs).
For now, though, the Seibu Ikebukuro line is turning a blind eye to its most popular passenger.
It’s unclear where, exactly, the clever cat is going, but it’s worth noting that Akanasu — an izakaya (bar / restaurant) famously frequented by a number of cats — is located near Ekoda Station, which is on the Seibu Ikebukuro line.
Maybe he’s just on his way to after-work drinks?
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on public transport? Have your say in the comments below!
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