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

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!

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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

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15 Answers

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BigfamJapan

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Do you have a favorite mascot?

BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

4 Answers

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6 Answers

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helloalissa

on Aug 3

7 Answers

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on Feb 17

13 Answers

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on Jun 15

9 Answers

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on May 5

8 Answers

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on Dec 30

2 Answers

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smallbigjapan

on Dec 8

Do you have a favorite mascot?

8 Answers

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