Last Saturday, Shofuso welcomed a very special visitor—Mrs. Yuko Kishida, wife of Japan’s Prime Minister. While the spotlight was on her, the behind-the-scenes work was just as captivating, including an unexpected star: a police bomb detection dog… in socks!

Our hard-working bomb detection dog sporting his stylish socks, trying to make peace with his new footwear on Shofuso’s tatami mats.

Yes, you read that right. Because Shofuso is a traditional Japanese house with delicate tatami mats, the dog had to swap his usual gear for some protective socks. His officer, also sock-clad, led the way as they carefully checked the premises. It was quite the challenge keeping those socks on—our furry friend wasn’t too keen on the new footwear, managing to shake them off a few times. But with a little persistence (and some re-socking on my part), the mission was a success!

Aside from our sock saga, our incredible staff worked magic to prepare for Mrs. Kishida’s visit. We created a temporary guest meeting room, complete with stunning lantern decorations and soft lighting—none of which we typically have at Shofuso. And here’s the kicker: We didn’t even have those meeting chairs until the day of the visit! Thanks to Please Touch Museum’s generosity, we had beautiful chairs delivered just in time, after a quick morning phone call.

A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in, from the meticulous cleaning and decorating to the last-minute furniture arrangements. And of course, a special shoutout to our dedicated four-legged officer, who truly stole the show with his sock-covered paws!

Taking a break from his sock-adjusting duties, this good boy is ready to continue his inspection—with or without the socks