Japanese Aquarium Animal Keeper Goes Viral For His Looks; Visitors Can Now Track Him In Real-Time While He's At Work
This animal keeper's movie-star looks is winning hearts and drawing crowds. And now, the aquarium has even introduced a real-time staff tracker so visitors know which tours he's leading for the day.
Who knew the hottest attraction at a Japanese aquarium would be one of its keepers?
Katsurahama Aquarium in Japan's Kochi Prefecture has recently gone viral after photos of one of its animal keepers interacting with a baby otter set the internet buzzing.
The reason? His movie-star good looks.
According to netizens, the young keeper bears a striking resemblance to Japanese actor Ryusei Yokohama, a popular heartthrob known for both his acting and his looks.
In the photos, the newcomer, dressed in the aquarium's uniform, was seen feeding an otter named Sakura and gently interacting with it.
Unsurprisingly, the combination of a handsome caretaker and an adorable otter proved irresistible to thirsty netizens.
“I thought this was about an idol’s workplace experience,” commented one netizen. Another gushed: “I don’t even know whether to look at the animals or at him. He’s such a feast for the eyes.”
Others also pointed out the scratches on his arms, saying they were a sign of his dedication to caring for the animals and that seeing them “made their hearts break”.
One commenter even declared: “I want to be that otter getting fed.”
According to reports, the viral heartthrob is Moeko Mukai, a Gen Z animal keeper who joined Katsurahama Aquarium in 2025.
Despite being a newcomer, Mukai has already become one of the aquarium's most popular staff members thanks to his warm personality, friendly interactions with visitors, and genuine passion for caring for the animals.
The aquarium has totally leaned into his popularity too, introducing a real-time staff tracker for Mukai and several other young animal keepers so visitors can find them for guided tours and interactive experiences.
As one of the aquarium’s most popular personalities, Mukai has also taken part in various interviews to promote the aquarium. Many netizens said that while his looks may have caught their attention, it is his hard work and dedication that truly won them over.
Would you visit the aquarium just to get a look at Mukai?
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