In a world where reality often blurs with fantasy, one man’s dream of becoming a dog has now evolved into something even more surreal—a human zoo where people can pay to experience life as an animal.
From Collie Costume to a Full-Fledged Zoo
Meet Toco, a Japanese man who went viral in 2023 for spending £11,000 on a hyper-realistic collie suit. His goal? To live life as a dog, complete with walking on all fours, wagging his tail, and even rolling over for belly rubs. His bizarre transformation fascinated and confused the internet, with many mistaking his costume for a real canine.
But instead of stopping at his own doggy dreams, Toco has taken things a step further. He’s now launched a “zoo” where others can live out their animal fantasies too.
Welcome to Tocotoco Zoo
Officially opened on January 26, 2024, in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, Tocotoco Zoo is not your average wildlife park. Here, visitors don’t come to watch animals—they come to become them.
For ¥49,000 (around £250), animal enthusiasts can slip into a hyper-realistic Alaskan Malamute suit and spend up to three hours living as a dog. The experience is designed for humans ranging from 4’11 to 5’11 in height, ensuring they fit snugly inside the costume.
The zoo even offers a 10% discount if the wearer is unable to open or close the dog’s mouth—because apparently, articulation is part of the immersion.
A New Kind of Attraction or a Bizarre Spectacle?
Toco’s inspiration for the zoo comes from a childhood dream. In a YouTube video, he explained:
“I dreamed about becoming an animal since I was a child, and when I grew up, my dream came true in the form of a costume!”
He hopes that Tocotoco Zoo will help others who share his furry aspirations experience life from an animal’s perspective.
But let’s be real—this isn’t your typical family-friendly day out. Imagine walking through the zoo, watching a silverback gorilla pounding its chest, only for it to remove its head and ask a staff member for a McDonald’s breakfast.
What’s Next?
So far, Tocotoco Zoo has only launched with dog costumes, but Toco has ambitious plans to expand. He hopes to introduce pandas, but not cats or foxes because, in his own words, they’re “too small for humans to try”—and let’s face it, a human-sized cat would be terrifying.
For those interested in this surreal experience, reservations must be made 30 days in advance. And yes, you can bring your friends—group dog sessions are available. Imagine celebrating your birthday by rolling around on the floor with your pals in realistic dog suits.
