We know what you are thinking: “Really? There’s a Banana Day?” In Japan there is! It comes from the date “August 7” and the way you can pronounce “8” (ba) and “7” (nana) in Japanese. The two of them read together become Banana Day, an informal holiday where the amazing powers of bananas are reviewed and admired, which is mostly achieved through nutritional campaigns that teach you fun facts like “bananas are high in potassium” and “they are good for giving you a quick boost of energy”.
In fact, an elementary school in Kanagawa Prefecture took advantage of Banana Day to squeeze in a nutrition class and, surprisingly, the kids didn’t go bananas because they had to go to school during summer vacation. Instead, the students took the day to its most artistic and clever form yet by creating a stunning video that all banana lovers should watch.
Students at an elementary school in Yokohama, Japan had a special nutrition class on August 7, and were given the chance to work with thousands of bananas! Evidently, nutrition class did not include the old adage, “don’t play with your food”. The students were probably quite surprised when a large truck pulled up to their front gates and workers started unloading boxes and boxes of bananas.
And while some children might have wanted to eat the banana-y goodness immediately, they were given a task: make art with your banana! Not such an easy assignment, considering the students probably have never thought about drawing a picture on a banana before! Lucky that banana artist or bananartist, End Cape, was there.
▼Slide One: Bananartist, End Cape
▼This hairstyle is not recommended for elementary students.
▼Holy bananas…he’s good!
He’s a professional bananartist (among many other talents) and helped the kids with the exact technique needed to complete the bananart. Each student was taught how to prick the skin of a banana and allow it to darken so that the pricks could form a picture! With the help of some handy stencils they stuck onto the bananas, about 100 students set to work and the “drawn on” bananas were used for a video that utilized stop motion and turntable animation to show the journey of the bananas from the Philippines to Japan. The neat little animation showing the connection between the two countries will really warm your heart!
The video was only recently released so go get a banana and watch it below!
The people from the Philippines said:
▼“Through Bananart, with the people of Japan…”
▼“…and the people of the Philippines, a connection was born between us.”
▼“Thank you”
Aww, who knew playing with your food could induce such a warm and fuzzy feeling! Seems like a pretty awesome way to learn about nutrition and be a part of something really great! Now, when is Pizza Day? We want to see a pizza movie we can make with pizza art!
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
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
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 reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
McDonald’s Japan adds curry French fry flavor, regional-taste burgers to its menu with Gotochi Mac
7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
7-Eleven Japan adds macaroni cheese sandwiches to its convenience store food range
Pokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases