This year’s ranking, which began in 2015 and is now in its 10th year, was determined by more than 3,200 votes from Rakuten members. 34 signature cats from lodging facilities across Japan entered the competition. For the second year in a row, “Omochi” from “Beppu Onsen Niitama Ryokan” took first place.
Rakuten Travel, Inc. has launched a new cat travel service, “Cat Day” on February 22, 2012. I want to meet them!” Rakuten Travel announced the “Rakuten Travel 2024 Nationwide Inns’ Signboard Cat Ranking” to determine which inn’s signboard cat is the cutest and most desirable in Japan.
Rakuten Travel 2024 Nationwide Inns Proud of Their Signboard Cats Ranking” Top 5
No.1: Omochi, Shintama Ryokan, Beppu Onsen, Oita Prefecture
No. 2: Amanatsu, Kannawa Onsen Kannawa Yunokou, Oita Prefecture
No.2: Shousuke, Kiriya Ryokan, Nozawa Onsen, Nagano Prefecture
No.4: Yufuin Laughing Cat Inn “Fuku”, Oita Prefecture
No.5：Kinako, a guest house at the Usami hot spring resort, Shizuoka-ken, Japan
Omochi” from “Beppu Onsen Shintama Ryokan” in Oita Prefecture, who won first place, is popular for his friendly personality that makes him want to get on his knees immediately, and for his hospitality in welcoming and seeing off guests in front of their rooms. Recently, he has learned to open the door to the facility by himself, which he is showing off to guests as a new skill.
The facility is home to about 80 cats, including shelter cats, and the cats, full of personality, are streamed live online 24 hours a day. Voters commented, “I love Omochi-kun’s boldness and the way he praises other cats in the live broadcast,” and “Omochi-kun takes the initiative to get on my lap and come over to me as if he is aware that he is a signature cat.
In second place were “Amanatsu” from “Kannawa Onsen Kannawa Yunokawa” and “Shousuke” from “Nozawa Onsen Kiriya Ryokan”, which received the same number of votes.
Amanatsu, a bee-whiskered kitten at Kannawa Onsen Kannawa Yunoka, was sheltered at Kannawa Onsen Kannawa Yunoka in September 2023 when he was one month old. The cats living at the facility are named after citrus fruits, a specialty of Oita Prefecture, and “Amanatsu” is the fifth signboard cat and greets guests while learning from the older cats. Voters have commented that they were healed by Amanatsu, who is still small but has a great deal of affection and is not afraid to be shy. 2023 will see the opening of a new room within the facility where visitors can interact with the cats, allowing them to enjoy their time with the cats, including Amanatsu, even more.
Shousuke” at “Nozawa Onsen Kiriya Ryokan” serves as the signboard cat for nine cats, including “Mugi,” who won second place in this year’s ranking in 2023, and “Kinako,” who won first place in 2022. Although he has a dignified appearance, his shy personality, such as actively going to guest rooms to play with them, has also won the hearts of guests. Voters commented, “I have very good memories of taking naps with him while he rumbled around. There are not many cats like him.
© Source travel watch
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