Part-time job cat “Miku-chan” and store owner Koichi Genda who kindly watches over her (6th, Osaka city)
Instead of being a signboard cat or a mascot character that heals customers just by being there, a cat that works as a proper “employee” has appeared in Osaka. It surprises passers-by with its appearance.
A pudding specialty store that is open in an event space where people come and go in front of the Osaka Metro Nishi-Umeda Station ticket gates. “Eh!?” “The cat is burnt!” He made a cute cat voice (?) and was normally serving customers, asking, “Do you want a spoon?”
If you observe for a while, you will be able to smoothly handle everything from customer service to cash register. What is worrisome is the realistic visuals that even make you feel a little fear. I immediately hit Koichi Genda, the owner of this shop “Saka no Ue Neko” (Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture).
“I’m confident in the taste, but what should I do with the large amount of pudding in the world?” The opening of the store at the special event has become a hot topic, and following being able to enter as the world’s first “employee cat who can sell cash registers” at a department store with strict rules, requests from all over the country are flooding in.
Miku-chan says she won’t become a full-time employee because she’s a whim. When I asked her regarding her impressions of her part-time job, she said, “Well, you’re a very kind person, and it’s really fun♪ Sometimes people say I’m cute, and sometimes I’m scared. There are tough times, but it’s better when it’s fun☆” he told me.
Miku-chan, who is good at piano and recently started playing golf, is also active on YouTube and TikTok.
“Even though I’m an idol, I can talk and work normally, so I feel a sense of closeness and have become fans. Many people say I’m cute, but there is a child who bursts into tears once a week. (laughs)” said Mr. Genda. She says that she is actively traveling around the country, hoping that her cat rescue activities will spread.
The pudding that Miku-chan sells is characterized by its light sweetness and smoothness. Popular flavors such as plain and cheese, as well as unusual flavors such as rooibos tea, mulberry leaves, and sake lees are available (from 486 yen). Additive-free and low in calories, the container is cute, so everyone from children to adults can enjoy it.
Osaka Metro “Nishi Umeda Station” next to the north ticket gate will open until October 10th, and business hours will be from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Currently, there is no permanent store, and the focus is on special events and online sales, and store opening information is announced on the official website and SNS.
