In Japan, Hokto is to mushrooms what Chiquita is to bananas: a household name that people know but aren’t overly excited by – until now!
The mushroom growers have been releasing an increasingly sexy line of commercials that seem to get pulled from the airwaves soon after debuting. The latest one, titled “Splendid Mushroom Kinkatsu,” depicts a love affair between actors Jun Kaname in the role of the spirit of mushrooms and Sawa Suzuki as the middle-aged woman he continuously haunts and seductively whispers about mushrooms to. As far as mushrooms go, this is pretty hot.
In this commercial, Suzuki is perusing the produce section of her local supermarket. Suddenly, the spirit of mushroom appears behind her and whispers to her as he presses his mushroom-decorated body behind hers.
He whispers the ways of mushrooms to her, and asks if she truly wants a “regular mushroom” or his “splendid mushroom.”
Suzuki begins to feel lightheaded at Kaname’s forceful yet delicate mushroom lecturing. Overwhelmed, she desperately tries to escape and plunges her hand into the bin of regular mushrooms. The spirit of mushrooms passionately reaches for her arm and pulls it towards his own bulging package…
…of mushrooms.
He then vanishes, leaving Suzuki to do the rest of her shopping all in a tizzy, and some poor schmoe to mop up after these two fungal themed love-birds.
It’s said but unconfirmed that these commercials were quickly taken off the air after receiving complaints from viewers. However, it’s entirely possible this was all a clever viral marketing campaign to build hype.
Knowing how crafty those mushroom farmers can be I wouldn’t put it past them. My brother used to run an investment banking firm out in the countryside. Then one day a consortium of fungi cultivators bought out his company replaced his once-majestic office complex with a bleak mushroom house.
Source: Livedoor News via My Game News Flash (Japanese)
Hokto: Official Website (Japanese)
Videos: YouTube: autoxp038, douga sukiyo
▼ All installments of the Suzuki/Kaname mushroom romance to date.
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
How lucky are the themed retro video game lucky bags from this shop in the Tokyo boonies?
Japan’s most mysterious vending machine sells fukubako, boxes filled with…something【Photos】
Taste-testing Japan’s three biggest convenience stores store-brand cup ramen【Taste test】
American-Japanese model Kiko designs “morning cleavage” bra for lingerie brand Wacoal 【Video】
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
How lucky are the themed retro video game lucky bags from this shop in the Tokyo boonies?
Japan’s most mysterious vending machine sells fukubako, boxes filled with…something【Photos】
Taste-testing Japan’s three biggest convenience stores store-brand cup ramen【Taste test】
American-Japanese model Kiko designs “morning cleavage” bra for lingerie brand Wacoal 【Video】
His name is Balse and he looks like Colonel Muska: Japanese netizens go wild for new French PM
7-Eleven combines two Japanese convenience store sweets into one for an epic treat
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Gross out your natto-hating friends with this incredibly realistic, sticky-looking train pass case
Foreign tourists blasted for chasing maiko and geisha on streets of Kyoto【Video】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Beware the rise of overpriced “Inbound Don” at tourist spots in Japan
Samurai hoodies are a Bushido blend of old-school style and modern fashion 【Photos】
Leave a Reply