
Have you been wondering what Japan’s favorite mascot has been up to lately? Who, you say? Why, Funasshi, of course, Japan’s squiggly wiggly pear mascot from Funabashi City in Chiba! After rocketing to fame and winning Japan’s top mascot honors in 2013, Funasshi has been touring Japan and the world! Its latest trip was to report for Fuji TV’s “World’s Best Of Picture Show: Top Research“. Find out all the American locations a gyrating pear looks out of place in after the jump.
Where’s the first place you wouldn’t expect to see a human-sized, dancing pear? If you said “under the sea,” that’s what we thought too! But our expectations aren’t one to stop the tour de force that is Funasshi, as a promotional video for the Fuji TV program shows Funasshi on its first ever diving experience!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88GsjTyipek
That’s the Neptune Memorial Reef off the coast of Florida, which is an underwater cremation memorial site. It’s a very popular diving area and the world’s greatest man-made reef. This is certainly a perfect spot for Funasshi to experience the wonders of sea life.
▼Funasshi doesn’t need any SCUBA gear.
Known as one of the only mascot characters who talks in Japan, it had much to say about sinking to the ocean floor. “When I first dove in, I was very scared that I was going to be washed away because I couldn’t see anything. However, the Atlantic Ocean is very beautiful and it’s like a totally different world!”
▼Busting a move, 40 feet under.
Not only did Funasshi get all wet for Fuji TV, but it also attempted a whole bunch of other activities while in the United States and we are sure it will make for some pretty exciting television!
▼Attempting some plane acrobatics in a Cessna.
▼Learning to pitch to kick off at a Miami Marlins’ Major League Baseball game.
Awesome teaching my new buddy @funassyi how to pitch like @srSHREK31! #VoteHitsMcGehee pic.twitter.com/2FsZNHzwor
— Billy The Marlin (@BillyTheMarlin) August 15, 2014
For those in Japan, don’t miss these crazy antics from our favorite pear mascot airing on Tuesday, September 23 at 7pm on Fuji TV’s “World’s Best Of Picture Show: Top Research”. Otherwise stay tuned in to RocketNews24 for all your fantastic Funasshi fun!
Images: PR Times, YouTube
[ Read in Japanese ]






Japan’s favorite city mascot goes on talk show, says it’s tired, wants to go back to Pear Land
Funasshi’s unofficial mascot Satosshi grabs a pear burger and risks getting beaten up
American newscaster can’t stop laughing at crazy Japanese mascot
Regional mascot/hyper pear Funasshi’s new album hits number four on Japanese charts【Videos】
Japanese Penis Festival shrine distances itself from penis mascot
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
These 7-Elevens are gettin’ fancy! We try their pate and terrine【Taste Test】
Japanese woman stumbles on the power of the infamous “gaijin seat” phenomenon during flight
Nicolas Cage meets Gachapin and a world record is broken at Osaka Comic Con 2025
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Discover some of the best snacks in Atami, a wonderland of Japanese street food
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
We recall the times when a famous Japanese mascot tried its hand at winter sports 【Video】
Last Week Tonight tackles Japan’s mascot craze and the results are glorious【Video】
Japanese mascots endangered by effects of coronavirus
Leave a Reply