Why do the Japanese line their streets and fences with water bottles?

If one ever visits Japan or curiously watches videos of the Japanese streets, one might notice something unusual about the quiet backstreets of those neighborhoods. Their lanes are often lined with rows of clear plastic water bottles neatly placed along fences, in corners of gardens, near potted plants, or at the edges of walls.
At first glance, they may look like someone forgot to clean up after a picnic, but they’re actually there for a purpose, surprisingly, it’s not what you’d expect. These bottles are known locally as “Nekoyoke”, which means “cat repellent.”
The practice might look puzzling to outsiders, but it has become a familiar part of Japanese urban places. It’s a quirky mix of everyday logic, old beliefs, and practicality. While the bottles don’t harm animals, the belief is that they prevent stray cats from entering those spaces and causing a mess. Though the logic behind this has been questioned many times, the ritual still continues and has been passed on from generation to generation out of tradition and hope despite there is no scientific proof. But the question remains, how did this peculiar habit start and does it even work?

The idea of using water bottles to repel animals didn’t actually originate in Japan. It began in the West, possibly as early as the 1980s in parts of Europe and the United States, where plastic bottles filled with water were placed on lawns to deter dogs. Over time, this practice made its way to Japan, but for the case of cats. Since Japan doesn’t have a large stray dog population, people started using the method specifically to keep stray cats away from their gardens, walls, and doorsteps.

There are several popular theories about why water bottles supposedly repel cats. One belief is that the sunlight or even streetlight at night shines through the bottle, and reflects sudden flashes of light that scare the cats. Another theory is that cats see their distorted reflection in the water and are startled by it. Some even say the bottles confuse the cat’s depth perception. While none of these theories have been scientifically proven, this still continues to be practiced.

The truth is, not really. Studies and animal behaviour experts have found little to no evidence that water bottles can actually keep cats away. Though the method is harmless, it doesn’t really keep the cats away. On cloudy days or in shaded areas, the anticipated light reflection trick doesn’t work at all. Still, people use them in hopes they might help or simply out of habit.

Nowadays, placing water bottles has become more of a cultural thing than actually preventing cats. While it might not stop a curious cat, it’s a harmless practice that shows Japan’s neat, creative, and simple yet creative ways of solving everyday problems. Even if the logic doesn’t fully hold up, it’s one of those little things that make walking through a Japanese neighborhood just a bit more interesting.
Photo Credits: Japanesegasm