Yuta Yasumoto 
Uzuki the Shiba Inu on March 26. (©Sankei by Yuta Yasumoto)
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Tucked away in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward is a bar called Mokuren — Japanese for "magnolia." Step inside, and you'll find shelves lined with over 500 bottles of whisky, mostly Scotch. But what truly sets the place apart is Uzuki, an irresistibly cute female Shiba Inu who quietly lounges nearby.
"She's the perfect three-in-one — she doesn't get angry, doesn't bark, and doesn't bite," says Masashi Fukuzaki, the 47-year-old owner and bartender.
Uzuki the Friendly Shiba
Mokuren opened in 2019. Fukuzaki says Uzuki has been "in charge of customer service" for the past three and a half years.
Among Shiba Inu fans, a quirky trend known as "shibasui," enjoying a Shiba's scent, has been gaining popularity.
"It's a non-smoking bar," Fukuzaki notes with a smile, "but you're welcome to come and sniff Uzuki."
I gave it a try myself. The scent of her sun-kissed fur was surprisingly delightful.
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Author: Yuta Yasumoto, The Sankei Shimbun
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