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.
[ Read in Japanese ]
Second-generation sumo burger coming to Burger King Japan with return of Baby Body Burger
How to order snacks on a Shinkansen bullet train in Japan
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
Expensive Japanese nail clippers: Are they worth it?
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
Second-generation sumo burger coming to Burger King Japan with return of Baby Body Burger
How to order snacks on a Shinkansen bullet train in Japan
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
Expensive Japanese nail clippers: Are they worth it?
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Enjoy a weekend trip to Thailand for less than $50? We show you how【Photos】
Japanese politicians working to promote plastic model culture as a cultural asset
Official Spirited Away cookbook teaches how to make food from the Ghibli anime classic
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Enjoy a weekend trip to Thailand for less than $50? We show you how【Photos】
Japanese politicians working to promote plastic model culture as a cultural asset
Official Spirited Away cookbook teaches how to make food from the Ghibli anime classic
Japanese business women who’ve beaten the system 【Women in Japan Series】
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Police in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
Japanese candy craftsman creates new line of lollipops with traditional summer themes
How to speak Japanese like a gyaru【2024 edition】
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo