Tokyo station hires goats to eat weeds

Two goats have become a local attraction in central Tokyo after rail staff brought them in to eat overgrown grass on an empty lot near JR Yotsuya Station.

The goats, one-year-old male Nagi and two-year-old female Pokke, arrived last month at the 900-square-metre site in Shinjuku. East Japan Railway, known as JR East, described the trial as an eco-friendly way to remove weeds.

JR East said the project began on October 9 and would last until around December, unless the grass on the site is completely eaten first. The company said goat grazing can provide continuous weed control and reduce environmental impact compared with grass cutters and herbicides.

The goats have drawn schoolchildren, office workers and commuters, with visitors taking photos during lunch breaks. JR East has run similar trials elsewhere, but said this is its first inside Tokyo's circular Yamanote line.