On this episode of Ichimon Japan we cover what the top Japanese mascots (yurukyara) of 2023 plus a few other ones! Topics Discussed What the Yuruverse Grand Prix is (ゆるバースグランプリ２０２３年・Yurubāsu Grand Prix 2023) Who won the Yuruverse Grand Prix 20203 competition About the transition from the Yurukyara Grand Prix to the Yuruverse Grand Prix What the top 5 Japanese mascots …

The cutest way to help combat the spread of COVID19 Just like in other countries, the COVID19 pandemic has had a huge negative impact on businesses in Japan. Almost overnight many companies were left unable to operate due to restrictions and fears of spreading the virus. For one such company in Japan this resulted in the creation of an adorable …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What are Japan’s most famous dogs? Topics Discussed Who Japan’s most famous dogs are About Yukimaru, Prince Shotoku Taishi’s beloved dog About Prince Shotoku Taishi Yukimaru’s supposed ability to talk to Shotoku Taishi and chant Buddhist sutras The drone Nara made based on Yukimaru Sakhalin huskies/Karafuto-ken The story of Taro and Jiro …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Do students in Saga Prefecture still have to wear white underwear? Topics Discussed The decision by Saga Prefecture’s Board of Education to get rid of an existing rule in some of its schools that made it mandatory for students to wear white underwear under their school uniforms The possibility that some school …

On This Episode of Japan Station On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, localizer and author Matt Alt stops by to discuss the influence Japanese pop culture has had on the world. About Matt Alt Matt Alt is a localizer of Japanese games and manga. Together with Hiroko Yoda he founded the localization company AltJapan and has authored multiple …

Oh, bear fairies. They grow up so quickly. It’s no secret that Japan has a lot of mascots. Just about every town, city, and prefecture in Japan has spent quite a bit of money creating some kind of cute and/or attention-grabbing creature to promote itself. However, only a tiny percentage of these mascots ever reach anything close to the fame …

Not the face you’d like to see coming after you in a dark alley. The city of Nabari in Mie Prefecture is not particularly famous, especially among people not from the area. However, over the past few years, more and more people have started to become aware of this relatively small city. This is thanks in no small part to …

 Episode seven of the Japan Station podcast is here and this time we’re taking a deep dive into the crazy world of Japanese mascots. Chris Carlier runs the blog Mondo Mascots and the very popular Twitter and Instagram accounts of the same name. On Mondo Mascots Chris documents Japan’s many, many, many mascots. From the bizarre to the cute, …

Way better than watching a bunch of human children run around. Every year in October schools across Japan hold what in English tends to be called “Sports Day.” Known as undōkai or taiikukai in Japanese, this is a day on which students participate in all sorts of athletic events in order to win glory for their respective teams. However, for …

Time to add one more thing to Kumamon’s already lengthy resume. Since his creation in 2010 Kumamoto Prefecture’s Kumamon has managed to become one of Japan’s most well-known and beloved mascots. From TV, to in-person appearances, to souvenir stands, it seems like everywhere you turn Kumamon’s somewhat frightening but oddly cute face is there to greet you. And as of …

Guaranteed to make you sweat and lose your costume deposit. Although Rajio Taisō is best known as that radio calisthenics program that old people in Japan love to do every morning, it is also something that pretty much anybody who has attended public school in Japan has had to do at some point as part of the physical education curriculum. …

The most adorable wrestling match you’ll ever see. On May 8, Differ Ariake, an indoor sporting arena in Tokyo, erupted into chaos as several Japanese costumed characters climbed into a wrestling ring and duked it out in an intense battle royale-style showdown. This ridiculous event was held to promote the upcoming May 18 release of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s latest …