Lala the Penguin With a Backpack and a Job

Lala the penguin from Japan with a backpack and a job

September 29, 2025

Lala the Penguin With a Backpack and a Job

How a rescued king penguin became Japan’s most beloved grocery shopper.

Most pets dream of treats and naps, but Lala loved running errands.

In the 1990s, in a quiet fishing village in Japan, locals would see an unusual commuter waddling through town each morning: a king penguin wearing a tiny blue backpack. He wasn’t lost or anything. He was just on his way to work.

This little guy's name was Lala, and every day, he made his way to the local fish market to pick up groceries for his family.

Lala’s story began in 1986, when he was found tangled in a fishing net off the coast of Japan. A local fisherman, Mr. Nishimoto, rescued the injured chick and brought him home to recover.

The plan was to help him heal, then release him back into the wild, but Lala had other ideas.

He became very close with the family dog and even got his own room. He was really serious about needing the air conditioning on. He couldn't sleep unless someone directed the AC right at him, almost like having a personal breeze machine. Eventually, the Nishimoto family simply accepted reality: "guess we have a penguin now."

To keep Lala entertained, the family began taking him on walks through town. Soon, he memorized the route to the local fish market. Then, somehow, he took over the job entirely.

Every morning, Lala would leave the house wearing his custom-made penguin backpack. He’d waddle past the neighbors who greeted him like he was their friendly mailman, stop by the market, and wait patiently while the fishmonger filled his bag with sardines and mackerel.

He was super polite and always reliable. He never forgot his order. After grabbing a quick snack, he’d head straight home with the groceries, just like any good member of the household.

News crews eventually picked up on Lala’s daily routine, and he turned into a national sensation. Clips of his commute played on Japanese TV, and even years later, they still pop up online, bringing smiles to anyone who secretly wishes their pet could contribute more than shedding.

Lala passed away in 1998, but people still remember him for more than those viral clips. He’s a sweet reminder that the love you shared with a pet no one planned to keep can become habits, routines, and responsibilities that feel as natural as family. Not many pets are remembered as neighbors, but Lala definitely was.

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