Mascot
Tokyo International Anime Fair
I went to the 2010 Tokyo International Anime Fair (TAF2010) on Sunday and found many Idle Idols. The event was held in Tokyo Big site in Odaiba.
Japan’s Tower Mascots
Tawawa-chan awaits you inside Kyoto Tower and in Tokyo Tower there are the Noppon Brothers. Almost all the observation Towers in Japan have their own mascot. If they don’t have an Idle Idol they’ll almost certainly have a kigirumi (fur suit).
Bird Watching
Pictured here is one pelican from a pair guarding a gaudy love hotel in Ikebukuro. I like the fact the two kanji used for Ikebukuro are literally pond and bag it almost sounds like an insult and somehow alludes to the seedy repuatation of the area.
Colonel Sanders
In Japan KFC is an important place for Christmas. Many families visit the restaurant to eat the popular Christmas meal of deep fried chicken. So every year the colonel is dressed as Father Christmas to get people in the festive spirit. Throughout the year Colonel Sanders is dressed in other seasonal and unique outfits.
Sato-chan and Satoko-chan
Just off the main road in Ginza, the cosmopolitan shopping area of Tokyo lies Shimizu Pharmacy. Like most drug stores in Tokyo they sell the usual products but as soon as you step into the shop you’ll notice two characters almost everywhere you look.
Tokyo Park Animals
When it came to editing Idle Idol we ended up removing a whole section called Park attendants. They didn’t quite fit in with the rest of the mascots but it was really hard to remove such great characters. All over Japan these park animals brighten up small parks.
Higuchi-san
This is Higuchi-san the mascot for Higuchi Pharmacy. Like a lot of Idle Idols I’ve found he obviously decided his own image would make a great mascot. Its surprising how many fat middle aged company presidents have made the same choice.
Mario – Nintendo Superstar
In Naha, Okinawa’s capital you’ll find Kokusai-dori a long street lined with endless tourist shops and restaurants. This might be boring if it wasn’t for all the different mascots the shops have outside in an attempt to stand out from the rest. Walking along the street I spotted not one but two Marios.
Opticians
They didn’t make it into the book but I do like these great signs spotted around Tokyo. The eyes madly rotate round and round outside various opticians and glasses shops.
Ultraman
I first spotted Ultraman in Odaiba, in a retro themed arcade shown left. I then found him proudly standing outside the Bandai headquarters who make Ultraman figures and toys. All the mascots have the distinctive yellow eyes and the red and silver costume. They also have a blue half sphere on their chest.
Pipo-kun
You can’t miss the little guy in Tokyo, hovering above police cars on the sides of houses, saluting pedestrians from construction site signs and waving at fans from the St Patricks day parade. But to see an ‘Idle Idol’ Pipo-kun you have to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Police museum in Ginza.
Tanuki – Legendary racoon dog
Tanuki a raccoon dog and also a mythical creature from Japanese folklore. They are known for their mischief, magical powers and the ability to shapeshift. Statues of jolly tanuki can be found outside many bars and restaurants, beckoning at customers and welcoming guests.
Doraemon
If you’ve ever visited Japan you will have seen him, the unmistakable grinning robotic cat. Doraemon is from the 22nd century, he came to present day earth to help the young Nobita, a young boy who is always getting picked on by bullies and shouted at by his teachers and parents.
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