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This Roast Potato Store In Japan Is Managed By A Shiba
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This Roast Potato Store In Japan Is Managed By A Shiba

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Meet Ken-kun, the smart and hard-working business boi who has taken Twitter by storm in Japan after he was filmed diligently serving one of his many customers at his very own sweet potato stall. Now, there are many dogs with jobs in the world; leading the blind, chasing down criminals and sniffing out drugs and explosive just to name a few.  But it’s not often you’ll find one manning (dogging?) a food stall and greeting the customers.

Image credits: hina_shii_ver2

Image credits: tabelog.com

The 3-year-old Shiba Inu works in Sapporo City on the island of Hokkaido and has it pretty easy, really. Customers have to simply choose the roasted sweet potato that they would like from the white box, and leave 100yen ($1 USD) as payment. Think of Ken-kun as a kind of store greeter.

Image credits: hina_shii_ver2

When somebody approaches, Ken-kun pops up his sweet little face to say hello and make sure the transaction goes smoothly. That being said, it is a trust-based system, so he’s not gonna jump out and chase you if you don’t pay up.

Image credits: hobby_space_jun

The stall is covered in colorful and artistic signage, with one sign explaining: “Because I am a dog, I can’t give you change.” Tips are appreciated though, with all proceeds going toward extra treats for the canine customer care worker.

Image credits: hobby_space_jun

Image credits: tabelog.com

Image credits: tabelog.com

The roasted sweet potatoes are known as yaki imo, in Japan and are the ultimate winter street food. You will see these stalls popped up all over the place, much like we have roast chestnuts in Europe or the U.S. I think I’d prefer one of these to be honest!

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Image credits: tabelog.com

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The sweet potato is an extremely popular food in general and can be found served in a variety of ways, much like Bubba from Forest Gump with his shrimp. There are: sweet potato chips, sweet potato pastries, sweet potato cakes, sweet potato candies, sweet potato breads, sweet potato caramel corn, sweet potato KitKats…You could even try sweet potato ice cream!

Image credits: tabelog.com

Image credits: hiroki99837

Image credits: tabelog.com

Watch the video of Ken-kun in action below

Image credits: Youtube

Here’s what people had to say about the polite pupper

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lucasrose avatar
A Rose Among Thorns
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was so wholesome. Potatoes and Shibas what more could you ask for?

rhyanlumilay avatar
rhyan lumilay
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they can't out a kitty in there it'll just sleep on job and chase the doggo.

Load More Replies...
alexacwei avatar
Clematis
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a cute dog! This reminds me of my Japanese uncle (very kind old man) who spoke no English but one word: potato. He LOVED potatoes & used the word in reference to everything. Eating dinner? "Potato potato potato." Saw an extra-pretty pigeon in the park? "Potato potato potato." Made me laugh every time :D

kathinka avatar
Katinka Min
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The dog sounds lonely. I hope it's only in that box for a couple of pics and the video and not all damn day.

ffarao1 avatar
MidnightFury
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!! It's just, well, THE POOR DOGGO!! Being locked up in that little wooden stool with no food, watter, toys... plus dogs need to have a large space to be active, and need to be taken out several times a day to relieve themselves. The Poor Doggo! ;-;

thestarlingbird avatar
Kururi.Orihara
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only in Japan can you do stuff like this on a complete trust-based system! I swear, that country is so wholesome. (I'm not saying it's perfect, it does have it's flaws like everywhere else, but as an American Japan seems so much like a paradise!)

fkspwkdkfk avatar
Stcejbo Era Nemow
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

In Japan women constantly get raped and groped. It does sound like a paradise though

Load More Replies...
kispettyes avatar
Agnes Pethes
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So this is basically a dog that was captured in a small place and who - based on the video - really wants to go out. Great job.

fkspwkdkfk avatar
hamiltontrash36 avatar
Lizzie the Crayon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hadnt even read the article get, i was just scrolling through my feed and automatically upvoted it lol

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mssilvia8 avatar
boi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i will fly to japan just to buy some potatoes from this doggo

jem3 avatar
Lingon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I suddenly feel the urge to go to Japan for some sweet potatoes.

bluebellforawhile avatar
Bluebell Rizzi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dog would eat all the potatoes, and run off to pick a fight with another dog. Oh, and he'd knock everything over with his tail XD

euniceprobert avatar
Eunice Probert
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a village in England called Lacock, where a lot of the houses have honesty stalls outside them in the summer. There is one, selling homemade cakes, jams etc. that is manned, or "dogged" by a very nice dog shopkeeper. He looks at you sternly to make sure you put money in the box for the items you take.

patriciaross avatar
tuzdayschild
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our street food is corn dogs. Their street food is sweet potatoes. Pay attention belly, this is important.

ariabellafrancesconi avatar
I dunno lmao
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can someone translate this for me? -w- but that doge is suppah smart

hamiltontrash36 avatar
Lizzie the Crayon
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

10 outta 10. Anyone have any yen I will trade you a couple £s... Also, anyone have a couple hundred £s I need to book a flight to Sapporo City and buy a potato and take a dog... *thinks of Thomas Sanders vines where he takes all the doggos...*

brigittedufresne23 avatar
Brigitte Murphy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so awful. I have a shiba, and she only cries like that when she's sad. This dog is not happy. It's locked in a little plywood box as a novelty. He has no comfort items inside, no blankets, no toys. Shiba's smile when they are happy, this dog is not happy at all. Poor thing.

shibas1 avatar
Laura Perkinson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a bit of a problem wanting to click the up button. The Shiba has no water, is thin, no blanket nothing to lay on and I suspect stuck in there for hours a day. Not trying to be a naysayer, but I have shibas an they need more then this shown.

21blackm avatar
Panda Bae
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Putting this on my list of 'Places In Japan To Visit'. Top of the list.

sokching77 avatar
Desiré Yen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope he isn't cooped up that shed the shed the whole day 🤔

rebeccamcchesney avatar
Randomcthulu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mmmmm, now I want one of those potatoes, I can't stand yams, but those are so good

douglas_spence avatar
Pi Spence
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what is so cute about a dog being locked up in a box all day by himself?

kathrynstretton avatar
kathryn stretton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That dog is crying. It feels trapped, which it is. Not cute at all. Sorry.

cynserely-yours avatar
Char Char
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree! Very sad. If the real "owner" was there also, it would not seem so bad. I do not like this dog labor!

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derrongrantjr_ avatar
Derron Grant Jr.
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

derrongrantjr_ avatar
Derron Grant Jr.
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

cynserely-yours avatar
Char Char
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is far from being cute. The dog seems to want OUT of there and is not "greeting" customers or soliciting pets at all. He is a very sad doggo.

lucasrose avatar
A Rose Among Thorns
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was so wholesome. Potatoes and Shibas what more could you ask for?

rhyanlumilay avatar
rhyan lumilay
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they can't out a kitty in there it'll just sleep on job and chase the doggo.

Load More Replies...
alexacwei avatar
Clematis
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a cute dog! This reminds me of my Japanese uncle (very kind old man) who spoke no English but one word: potato. He LOVED potatoes & used the word in reference to everything. Eating dinner? "Potato potato potato." Saw an extra-pretty pigeon in the park? "Potato potato potato." Made me laugh every time :D

kathinka avatar
Katinka Min
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The dog sounds lonely. I hope it's only in that box for a couple of pics and the video and not all damn day.

ffarao1 avatar
MidnightFury
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!! It's just, well, THE POOR DOGGO!! Being locked up in that little wooden stool with no food, watter, toys... plus dogs need to have a large space to be active, and need to be taken out several times a day to relieve themselves. The Poor Doggo! ;-;

thestarlingbird avatar
Kururi.Orihara
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only in Japan can you do stuff like this on a complete trust-based system! I swear, that country is so wholesome. (I'm not saying it's perfect, it does have it's flaws like everywhere else, but as an American Japan seems so much like a paradise!)

fkspwkdkfk avatar
Stcejbo Era Nemow
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

In Japan women constantly get raped and groped. It does sound like a paradise though

Load More Replies...
kispettyes avatar
Agnes Pethes
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So this is basically a dog that was captured in a small place and who - based on the video - really wants to go out. Great job.

fkspwkdkfk avatar
hamiltontrash36 avatar
Lizzie the Crayon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hadnt even read the article get, i was just scrolling through my feed and automatically upvoted it lol

Load More Replies...
mssilvia8 avatar
boi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i will fly to japan just to buy some potatoes from this doggo

jem3 avatar
Lingon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I suddenly feel the urge to go to Japan for some sweet potatoes.

bluebellforawhile avatar
Bluebell Rizzi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dog would eat all the potatoes, and run off to pick a fight with another dog. Oh, and he'd knock everything over with his tail XD

euniceprobert avatar
Eunice Probert
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a village in England called Lacock, where a lot of the houses have honesty stalls outside them in the summer. There is one, selling homemade cakes, jams etc. that is manned, or "dogged" by a very nice dog shopkeeper. He looks at you sternly to make sure you put money in the box for the items you take.

patriciaross avatar
tuzdayschild
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our street food is corn dogs. Their street food is sweet potatoes. Pay attention belly, this is important.

ariabellafrancesconi avatar
I dunno lmao
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can someone translate this for me? -w- but that doge is suppah smart

hamiltontrash36 avatar
Lizzie the Crayon
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

10 outta 10. Anyone have any yen I will trade you a couple £s... Also, anyone have a couple hundred £s I need to book a flight to Sapporo City and buy a potato and take a dog... *thinks of Thomas Sanders vines where he takes all the doggos...*

brigittedufresne23 avatar
Brigitte Murphy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so awful. I have a shiba, and she only cries like that when she's sad. This dog is not happy. It's locked in a little plywood box as a novelty. He has no comfort items inside, no blankets, no toys. Shiba's smile when they are happy, this dog is not happy at all. Poor thing.

shibas1 avatar
Laura Perkinson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a bit of a problem wanting to click the up button. The Shiba has no water, is thin, no blanket nothing to lay on and I suspect stuck in there for hours a day. Not trying to be a naysayer, but I have shibas an they need more then this shown.

21blackm avatar
Panda Bae
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Putting this on my list of 'Places In Japan To Visit'. Top of the list.

sokching77 avatar
Desiré Yen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope he isn't cooped up that shed the shed the whole day 🤔

rebeccamcchesney avatar
Randomcthulu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mmmmm, now I want one of those potatoes, I can't stand yams, but those are so good

douglas_spence avatar
Pi Spence
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what is so cute about a dog being locked up in a box all day by himself?

kathrynstretton avatar
kathryn stretton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That dog is crying. It feels trapped, which it is. Not cute at all. Sorry.

cynserely-yours avatar
Char Char
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree! Very sad. If the real "owner" was there also, it would not seem so bad. I do not like this dog labor!

Load More Replies...
derrongrantjr_ avatar
Derron Grant Jr.
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

derrongrantjr_ avatar
Derron Grant Jr.
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

cynserely-yours avatar
Char Char
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is far from being cute. The dog seems to want OUT of there and is not "greeting" customers or soliciting pets at all. He is a very sad doggo.

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