Calico cat at Kurokawa Onsen, Japan. Photo: Mark Frauenfelder

When I was in Japan earlier this month, we visited the village of Kurokawa Onsen, which has over 25 Japanese hot-spring bathhouses you can walk to. It was an incredible experience.

You can read all about the spas at Kurokawa Onsen with a Google search, so I will instead tell you about the fantastic cat I met in the village. I first spotted it patiently waiting at the open door of a sweets shop. I was struck by its whimsical coloration. It had a white body, a striped orange tail, a black head, gold ears, and two black spots on its back. It was also very sweet and affectionate. And judging by its rotundness, it was well fed by the shopkeepers.

Photo: Mark Frauenfelder

Photo: Mark Frauenfelder

After I'd admired the cat for a few minutes, the shopkeeper came out with the Churu packet the cat was waiting for.

Photo: Mark Frauenfelder

Kurokawa Onsen is worth visiting just to meet the cat. I hope you can make it there.

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