Say what you will about ‘yuru-kyara‘ – the marketing idea that can be basically summed up as Japan’s “let’s have a cartoon mascot for EVERYTHING!” philosophy – but the vast majority of those funny characters adopted by prefecture and town tourism boards across the nation are nothing if not cute!
Take Princess Miyako, character mascot of Miyako-machi in Fukuoka Prefecture. Designed by illustrator Shiitake, Princess Miyako is the picture of youthful elegance: her fresh purple and green tones are even modelled after the town’s iris flowers.
It’s one thing to design a beautiful anime character in two dimensions. But when that mascot gets transformed into a three-dimensional character costume, bad things can happen. Bad, bad things…
▼ Here’s Princess Miyako, as designed by talented artist Shiitake in 2012.
▼ And here she is today!
Two years, it seems, is a long time in show business.
In case we were in any doubt as to the identity of the mascot before us (seeing as she’s dressed – right down to the bow in her hair – in pink, and is for some unknown reason carrying a basket of stuffed cats), someone has helpfully written “Princess Miyako’s Donation Box” on that cardboard box next to her.
Perhaps Shiitake’s graceful, anime design was part of Princess Miyako’s three-dimensional downfall: it’s easier to make plush adult costumes out of rotund cartoon characters than it is svelte anime princesses, after all.
You can check out more of Shiitake’s beautiful work on her deviantART page or website. Just don’t make any more ‘yuru-kyara’ costumes out of them. Please.
Sources: Hamusoku, Shiitake website
Images: Shiitake via Miyako-machi, Miyako-machi
Featured image: Shiitake via Miyako-machi
Hard Ku**mon is here to put lazy mascots out of work with his creepy latex hugs
This year’s contest to choose Japan’s greatest mascot attracting some shady characters
Kawaguchi’s mascot Cupolan doesn’t mind that you think it looks like a turd
Teruhiko stirs up controversy on the net and makes a mean yakisoba
Japanese mascots endangered by effects of coronavirus
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 500 million yen【Vid】
Things get heavy with the Gold Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
This quiet forest cafe in Japan lets you read all day in the house of a famous author
Here’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Fewer Japanese people traveling domestically, government blames birth rate, others blame foreign crowds, costs
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
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 considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Gunma-chan is named the champion of the 2014 mascot character contest
Last Week Tonight tackles Japan’s mascot craze and the results are glorious【Video】
Otter mascot character Shinjo-kun kicks butt at Street Fighter tournament in full costume【Video】
Leave a Reply