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!

1 8

BigfamJapan

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in 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!

1
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.

1
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!

0
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!

0
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.

1
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...

1
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.

0
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.

0

Awaiting More Answers

3 Answers

Which pronoun do you use in Japanese to refer to yourself?

Are you 私 either watashi or atashi? Or are you 僕 or 内? Do you vary depending on who you're interacting with?

TonetoEdo

on May 22

7 Answers

Pubs yay or nay?

Have you had great experiences at approximation of "your local"? Found a gem of a British or Irish pub that bridges cultures?

TonetoEdo

on May 20

2 Answers

Taking the bitterness out of Goya?

Today is "Goya Day" and as I wrote in my post about it, my MIL is growing some this year so no doubt we'll be given some to cook. I am not a big fan, because I find it unpleasantly bitter. So, following in the same vein as tonetoedo's mentaiko / karako question - what way do you serve goya? Have you any tips for taking the bitterness out of it?

BigfamJapan

on May 8

5 Answers

Your 2026 food omiyage / souvenir picks?

I know this question has probably been asked several times in the past, but it is also the kind of question to which the answer changes frequently! So, I am curious - what are your top food souvenir picks for 2026? I am going home again soon, and I want to get food omiyage for several people, including the school where my son is about to finish a one-year exchange. I would love to hear your thoughts on the BEST Japanese food omiyage around this year! And / or the food omiyage you buy each and every time you are going home because it's always a big hit? I just had the photo in this post to hand, and it is not a recommendation per se, it's not bad and fits well into a suitcase, but it's not the best strawberry daifuku I ever had.

BigfamJapan

on Apr 24

5 Answers

What's your favorite 'kushiyaki'?

Just for fun; what type of skewered food do you like best in Japan? Or, if you feel like sharing, what are your top 3?

BigfamJapan

on Apr 11

2 Answers

Movie locations near you worth visiting?

The live action version of テルマエ・ロマエ Thermae Romae (2012) was shot at Nokogiriyama, Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture. It's one of my favourite getaways for hiking, the temple complex, and catching sea breezes. The movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Which Japanese live-action movies do you recommend, and are the filming locations worth a visit? Tell us the original title, English title, the year, and the location.

TonetoEdo

on Mar 23

4 Answers

Recent vending machine discoveries?

I always get a little kick out of finding a vending machine that dispenses something other than drinks or ice-cream. I have been seeing an increase in vending machines that sell religious items lately. I also like finding vending machines with unusual or attractive wrapping. Have you come across any unusual vending machines lately? Either vending machines that sell something other than the norm or a vending machine with eye-catching wrapping?

BigfamJapan

on Mar 21

5 Answers

What are our consumer rights in Japan?

Do you know your consumer rights in Japan? And if so, would you be willing to share anything about them? For example, what is the policy on returns? I am very familiar with my consumer rights in my home country, and they are very widely publicized back home, but information doesn't seem to be as transparent or readily available here. Or is that just me?

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

For those of you who have colored grey hair, I'm curious about the hair color treatments available in most drugstores. They seem simpler to use than box dyes. It's been many years since I've colored my hair. It's a chestnut brown and my grey is more silver. I don't hate it but the grey is dry and making me feel like I look older than I am. I'm especially interested in the natural brands that are non-permanent. For example Rishiri Kombu sounds like a decent option. Looking forward to your recommendations and experience.

helloalissa

on Aug 3

Do you have a favorite mascot?

8 Answers

Awaiting More Answers

Share Your Experience