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Friday, September 30, 2016

Owls

The Takeshita Dori in Harajuku, Tokyo is one the crowded streets in Japan especially on weekends. It is filled with fashion shops , souvenir stores, crepe stands and cafes. Talking about café, there is a newly opened one - Owl Cafe and Bar Owl Village right in the heart of this busy street. This doesn’t surprise me at all since theme cafes are very popular in the country.

owl

pleas of once-caged owls
freed in a man-made forest 
plastic autumn leaves 

 /totomai

We went to the "owl village" one rainy Saturday. As we are only interested in owls, we purchased the Owl Forest Pass (with no time limit) for 680 yen. There’s a Bengal Cat Forest Pass too for 780 yen but it’s only good for 30 minutes. At the entrance, the shop explains some rules and how they take care of the owls. The place is suitable to give the owls a comfortable surroundings, closer to their natural home.

owlowl
owl

I always find owls mystical. And this is the closest encounter I had with them other than in fairy tales and movies. We were allowed to touch the back side of the owls. Some of the owls were sleeping. The shop is quite small but enough to accommodate 10 people at the same time. Since owls are nocturnal animals, the lights are kind of dim.

owlowl
owl

There were more than 10 species of owls at the village. Among them are Barn Owl, Indian Eagle Owl, Western Siberian Eagle Owl, Western Screech Owl. Perhaps we were drawn to owls’ mysticism that is why we forgot to record all of the species. I will not talk about environmental concerns and issues but I can sincerely feel that the shop is indeed taking good care of these owls.

owlowlowl

Photography is allowed but flash photography is prohibited. These owls are great models, always ready for head shots. Just don't allow yourself to be hypnotized by them. 

owl

The staff can speak English so it won’t be a problem for tourists. As I mentioned earlier, you can stay as long as you want at the Owl Forest Café. We may return back for more photos.


PS

Sherry, you may like these owl photos :-)

/totomai 
 2016/09/06 

Photos taken with Nikon D7000, 
 lens: Nikkor 105 mm 2.8f

33 comments:

  1. I enjoyed these owls very Much! They are very mystical. It would be amazing to see them so close up....I am happy to hear they are well cared for. Thanks for these beauties, Totomai!

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    1. This post is for you Sherry, I know how much you love owls. :) Wish I was able to take a picture of the rules / guidelines of the cafe.

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  2. What a hoot indeed as Cosmo Newbery says!!! Would have loved to visit this cafe!!!

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  3. Looking in their eyes you can see why they are considered wise. Great photography (without flash) as usual Totomai. It is always a delight to visit your blog.

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    1. Thanks Robin. They stare intently at the cameras haha

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  4. I thought of Sherry too! What a wonderful theme for a cafe..as ever stunning photography and sense of adventure

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    1. But I worry if I will disturb them. Fortunately they were great models

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  5. Gosh, such majestic creatures :D thank you for sharing, Totomai

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  6. Wonderful photos... those owl can gaze for sure...

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  7. I hope that these owls enjoy their man-made forest, despite the plastic leaves. Beautiful photos. I enjoyed the opportunity to look these owls into the eyes through the lenses of your camera!

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    1. I loved them Mary. Too bad some of them were sleeping

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  8. Nice owl shots Totomai, thanks for sharing. I like the little bit of sarcasm in Line 3 of your haiku also

    I'm happy you dropped by my Sunday Standard today 😍

    Much love...

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    1. I still think they are longing for the real forest

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  9. Beautiful... thanks...and the Haiku too :)
    ZQ

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  10. so informative.
    love the photos and the writing.
    also, i'd love a chance to check out that owl cafe. :)

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  11. O! To be promised freedom and then be stufffed instead! I couldn't drink coffee there, no matter how beautiful the plastic. Your Haiku knocked me out! I'll have to come back to read your commentary later.

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    1. Thanks Susan, maybe I'll go back again and check the cats as well

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  12. I love owls; I find them mystical too. These photios are wonderful, and so is the haiku.

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  13. Enjoyed the haiku. I am a fan of owls, and these photos are compelling. Thanks.

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  14. i too, find owls mystical. gracias for sharing such wonderful selfies of them

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any thoughts to distill?

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