In the streets of Tokyo's Tsukishima district, a four-legged reptile stomped its way slowly yet dynamically through the neighbourhood for its daily afternoon walk.
The sight might be bewildering to some, but the African spurred tortoise named Bon-chan is an endearing presence in the neighbourhood.
Since videos of the tortoise went viral in 2015, more people have made their way to Tsukishima district just to get a glimpse of Bon-chan during his daily walk with his owner, Hisao Mitani.
"I'll never forget the day I met Bon-chan," Instagram account @lisainjapan wrote as she shared a reel of her encounter with the giant tortoise.
"Name a better duo I’ll wait," she added.
Dressed different
Adding more to the charm are the different accessories and outfits Bon-chan dons on his daily walk.
月島もんじゃストリートにて。
月島のアイドル☆亀（ケヅメリクガメ）のボンちゃんが、新入生をお祝い🌸🐢💕#月島 #カメ #亀 pic.twitter.com/1IyKxJbDEh
— 月島長屋 (@tukishimanagaya) April 16, 2021
ボンちゃんの #ハロウィン
お菓子はいらないから、かわりに果物と野菜を下さい。#ケヅメリクガメ #カメ pic.twitter.com/qvtMqVd0PB
— 木間かもめ (@kimakamo) October 31, 2019
@alexamittman Low key star struck running into Bon-Chan and Mitani-San while in Tokyo 🤩🐢 The 28-year-old African Spurred Tortoise and his owner go on afternoon walks daily near Tsukishima Monja Street - a grear place to try the Japanese monjayaki dish! #japan #tokyo #japanlife #japantiktok #travel #tortoise #creatorsearchinsights ♬ original sound - summer songs<333
Love at first sight
Bon-chan became an addition to the Mitani household some 20 years ago, according to a 2015 article published by South China Morning Post article, citing AFP.
Mitani's wife first saw him at a pet shop, "fell in love" with the tortoise, and brought him home, Mitani said.
Back then, Bon-chan was small enough to fit into the palm of her hand. Now 26, Bon-chan is about one metre long and is tall enough to reach Mitani's knee.
Mitani said that he knew Bon-chan would become a good-sized tortoise, but did not think that he would become "this big".
A baby-sized version of Bon-chan has been placed on his shell, a reminder of how much he has grown.
"People smile when they see him"
Bon-chan lives in a pen at a funeral home which Mitani runs.
Image via chuo9.tokyo.
While many questioned the idea of keeping a big tortoise at the entrance of a funeral home, Mitani believes it isn't a bad idea to have him around as "people smile when they see him" in their time of sadness.
It's just Bon-chan
Today, Bon-chan continues to have his daily walk with Mitani along Tsukishima district.
The tortoise is often seen munching on vegetables that passers-by gave to him.
So next time you pass by Tsukishima district, don't be surprised to see the giant tortoise donning unique hats pass you by.
It's just Bon-chan.
@koheinagphoto♬ オリジナル楽曲 - Kohei - kohei
Top image via @lisainjapan/Instagram and @_diana_pina/TikTok.