
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!









A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
Famous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
Famous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
Potato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
How to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
Tokyo’s giant Pokémon Stamp Rally is back for 2026 with exclusive prizes up for grabs
Japan announces plans for twenty-fold increase in permanent residency fees, alongside higher visa costs
Kirby Cafe gets even cuter with new summer menu and dishware you can take home[Photos]
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]