Jan 17, 2026

Do you have a favorite mascot?

The other day, on "Strawberry Day" I wrote about "Yoshimin", the strawberry mascot of Yoshimi. I thought it might be fun to introduce a few others, so I've just written about "Tokimo" the mascot of Kawagoe. And I plan to introduce a couple of my favorites. It begs the question, do you have a favorite mascot? And how about writing a post on City-cost about your favorite or a local mascot? Pictured "Umerin" who I plan to write about next!

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BigfamJapan

Irish, Mom of 4, currently also living beside the In-Laws. 25+ years back and forth between Ireland and Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

8 Answers

genkidesu

on Jan 17

When I first moved here, Funassyi and Kumamon were popular, and I think I have a soft spot for them. A bit closer to Niigata, I'm also a fan of Gunma-chan! Our Niigata mascot is a bit of a goofy one (Lerch-san, inspired by the guy who introduced skiing to Japan) and I do wish they'd change it!

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TonetoEdo

on Jan 17

I'm crazy for ふなっしー!!!! Funassyi or Funashi is the work of a Funabashi City resident. The mascot is unofficial but has become a symbol for Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture. The pear-shaped mascot is ridiculous, wiggly, and screamy. Funassyi is meta, fitting both the "yuru kyara" category and also parodying the promotional regional character convention. Funassyi headbangs to heavy metal, by the way.

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BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

@genkidesu same! Particularly Funassyi. Remember when he was all over the TV, it was hard not to fall for him with his bubbly character! We even have some Funassyi paraphernalia from the era!

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BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

@TonetoEdo I love the way he used to spring up and his whole body extended. Did I hear he had to stop because it was dangerous? Or maybe that was just a commentators opinion! I still have a soft spot for Funassyi!

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TonetoEdo

on Jan 18

@BigfamJapan Some news items say Funassyi found TV appearances gruelling. The most recent tie-up was the Funassyi-go, a bus run by the Keisei transport company in 2025.

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genkidesuka

on Feb 2

I don't have a favorite yuru-kyara, but I will never forget when I first saw "Fukuppy." The unfortunately named mascot was launched in 2013 by none other than Fukushima industries, just two years after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear disaster...

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TonetoEdo

on Feb 6

@genkidesuka Yeah, Fukkupy drew endless attention, right?! The interesting part is that it was commercial - a character created for Fukushima Industries based in Osaka, not Fukushima Prefecture, which bore the brunt of Daishinsai.

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TonetoEdo

on Feb 6

Another doozy is the unofficial Nebaaru-kun, the natto fairy, who represents Mito, Ibaraki. Um, he looks like South Park's Mr. Hankey.

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7 Answers

Favorite Japanese artists, past or present

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genkidesu

on Aug 27

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Shizuoka?

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BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

10 Answers

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BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

6 Answers

What do you MOST associate with Fukushima Prefecture?

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BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

5 Answers

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BigfamJapan

on Aug 3

12 Answers

Favorite Noodles

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helloalissa

on Jul 30

5 Answers

Which movie will you see this summer?

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BigfamJapan

on Jul 30

5 Answers

What are our consumer rights in Japan?

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BigfamJapan

on Mar 15

18 Answers

What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture?

Today, February 20th, is Ehime Prefecture Day. What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture, what is the very first thing that comes to mind when I say "Ehime Prefecture"!?

BigfamJapan

on Feb 20

8 Answers

Do you have a favorite mascot?

BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

7 Answers

Growing Mushrooms

Here's for a weird hobby. I just saw a video by an American Youtuber that I plan to watch about growing shiitake mushrooms. From what I've seen, it probably needs a bit of space. There was a local market in Fukuoka Prefecture that had a "mushroom room" where they grew and sold mushrooms like maitake and eringi. I also saw a video of a couple in Paris that built a mushroom growing shower room! The local hardware store sells "seeded" logs and shiitake mushroom growing kits. I have seen the logs around people's homes on occasion. It seems like a very odd, but sustainable hobby. Has anyone tried it, or is anyone interested to try this? I wonder how involved or beginner friendly it is.

helloalissa

on Dec 29

6 Answers

Hair Color Treatments for Greying Hair

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helloalissa

on Aug 3

Do you have a favorite mascot?

8 Answers

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