
Every country has their fair share of crazy fans dressed in garb ranging from carrot headdresses to scarves with the power of 1000% elephants, but the Japanese supporters are by far our all-around favorite. During their first match against Côte d’Ivoire last Saturday, they showed up with plenty of white paint on their faces and bowling pins on their heads. With Japan’s second match currently underway, we couldn’t help but notice a strange new addition to the cheer gear of Samurai Blue supporters; an item we’ve all seen before being used for its intended purpose.
We doubt you forgot about the costumes Japanese fans were wearing last Saturday, but just in case…
But despite the attention they’ve received due to their choice in attire, Samurai Blue supporters in Brazil are perhaps best known for their actions after the game. Despite a disappointing loss on Saturday, Japanese fans were spotted cleaning up after themselves before going home, shoving any refuse in blue garbage bags they thought ahead to bring along. Although they received a small amount of criticism, their impeccable manners were applauded by news sources the world over.
And now, at today’s match against Greece, those same fans are waving around blue garbage bags as they cheer on their boys in blue.
We can’t help but think this might be a small nod to all the press they received just a few days earlier.
https://twitter.com/WorIdCupProbs/statuses/478250315657920513
Whether intentional or not (who knows, fans may have simply brought along too many trash bags and not enough pom-poms), we can’t get enough of Japan’s soccer fans and their wild costumes, enthusiastic cheering, and astoundingly courteous post-game actions.

YouTube
Otsukare-sama deshita: A look back at Team Japan’s time at the World Cup
Samurai Blue fans putting their best foot forward with cute girls in uniform!【Photos】
Japanese soccer fans remember their manners in Brazil, clean up before going home
Kyoto yakiniku restaurants offer up blue meat and drinks for Japan’s World Cup fever
World Cup players swap shorts after match
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Pokémon store character meet-and-greet events to resume in May
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Mr. Sato discovers his inner beaver with a 16-inch chocolate “twig” at Tokyo Station
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Japanese soccer fans’ awesome manners are spreading to another country at World Cup
Japanese soccer fans celebrate the World Cup with Samurai Blue curry
Japan’s Samurai Blue soccer team sends autographed jerseys to survivors of Thai cave ordeal
“The beer is my friend”: Watch the World Cup in style at this Captain Tsubasa Cafe
Now even countries that aren’t playing against Japan are cleaning their stadiums at the World Cup
German fans dance across Shibuya scramble in post-World Cup match celebration
How do you explain Japan’s historic World Cup win against Germany to the common man?
A hilarious compilation of 12 problems people encounter while watching the World Cup
Rugby World Cup fans perform lineout on floor of a Japanese train