
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
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Nissin Donbei to sell Classic line of instant udon and soba noodles for its 50th anniversary
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Starbucks Japan adds exclusive limited-edition Frappuccino drinks to the menu for spring
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Hokkaido park’s “sakura on the ground” are a breathtaking reason to venture beyond Sapporo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
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