Japanese Zoo Uses Capybara Plushies For Safe Distancing, They’re Super Cute Dining Buddies

Japan’s Izu Shabonten Zoo Is Well-Known For Cute Capybaras, Now We Can Dine With Them

As many countries cautiously reopen from Covid-19 lockdowns in June, various food and beverage establishments are brainstorming over innovative tactics to ensure people are safely apart.

Izu Shabonten Zoo in Japan has thought up of way to make safe distancing fun — by placing adorable plushies on seats in its Forest Animal Restaurant to block them off so customers remember to keep a safe distance from others.

In fact, it seems that customers are all too happy to practice safe distancing if it means they can share a table with these cuties.

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If you’re eager to dine with friends again, then read on to find out more about this new trend.

An adorable way to practise safe distancing while dining out

The pandemic is officially changing the way people eat at restaurants. This might be for the better, though.

We’re falling in love with Izu Shabonten Zoo’s adorable tactic of strategically positioning stuffed animals – especially capybaras – at tables, and if other restaurants follow suit, this safe distancing thing might be for the best.

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Even if you’re a solo diner, you won’t ever feel lonely because these kawaii plushies will keep you company.

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We’re looking forward to the future of dining out if it means we’ll dine with adorable merch. Now, we’ll always have a friend to eat with.

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Kids will also be happy to share their meals with a buddy that’s their constant companion.

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Zoo famous for its capybaras

Numerous capybara plushies can be found at Izu Shabonten Zoo because it’s home to a flock of the real-life giant rodents, which are the largest living rodents in the world.

As the zoo is well-know for its capybaras, it has a plaza where kids can meet them up close.

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The zoo also has numerous capybara-themed activities.

For example, as a part of the “Izu winter tradition”, capybaras gather in a small hot pool for a yuzu bath.

We hope our daily lives can be as chill as these relaxed animals.

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Meanwhile, this squad is eager to soak in a hotpot-style hot spring and simultaneously munch on fresh goodies.

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Shortly after viewing this calming sight, we bet that you’ll be itching to have the same experience at an onsen.

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The future of dining?

Dining out with friends and family has been ingrained into our daily lives, but due to the Covid-19 outbreak, we won’t be allowed to do so for awhile in Singapore, at least until community transmission stays low.

And while the ‘Circuit Breaker’ is ending soon, we still have to maintain a distance when we hang out with our loved ones.

When dining out finally resumes, our local restaurants may want to adopt Izu Shabonten Zoo’s idea so diners will remember to keep our distance, and perhaps even feel less lonely with these adorable animals for company.

Keep the zoo in mind for the future

Currently, non-essential travel to Japan is not advised due to the coronavirus. So until it’s safe to travel again, keep this destination on your bucket list.

Here’s a map of the zoo’s location:

Izu Shabonten Zoo
Address: 1317-13 Futo, Itō, Shizuoka 413-0231, Japan
Opening Hours: 9am-5pm

Have you visited this capybara haven before? Do share your experience in the comments if you have.

Featured image adapted from Twitter.