
Following in the footsteps of Kobayashi City in Miyazaki Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture’s Seki City has recently released its own quirky PR video. This ad, however, focuses on the city’s contribution to daily life with an important product that the city is famous for rather than emphasizing any local accent. Judging by the bizarre scene in the photo above, can you guess what Seki City is famous for producing? Here’s a hint: This video is shear madness!
Give the video a watch yourself, or scroll down for our brief description and screenshots.
The advertisement begins with a rather loving scene set to touching music of a mother preparing a meal in the kitchen. However, something’s not quite right as she raises her hand to begin chopping a carrot…minus a knife!
▼ Props to her for managing to keep a face of serious determination, however.
This bizarre spectacle is followed by even more surreal scenes, including the following:
▼ A middle-aged man is standing in front of his bathroom mirror–apparently about to rip off his stubble with tape!
▼ What on earth is this stylist doing biting a client’s hair with his teeth…?
▼ Idol handshake events have never looked this creepy.
▼ But this wedding scene looks kind of fun, actually.
Finally, we get a glimpse of each person going about their business with the following short message overlaid:
Have you figured out what Seki City is famous for making yet? According to this ad, Seki is Japan’s No. 1 City of Blades! Seki was famous for its swordsmiths during Japan’s feudal era, and while we’re not entirely clear if it’s still the largest producer of bladed objects in Japan by volume or what, but apparently it’s associated enough with all manner of sharp, pointy things that it warrants this title.
Despite the odd manner in which the city went about its PR mission, we’ve got to say, the ad is a bit endearing in its strangeness. Be sure to think about Seki the next time you use any type of product with a blade!
Source/images: YouTube/Seki Koshiki Channel
[ Read in Japanese ]










Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Ninja theme park suddenly closes in Japan, shadow warriors undone by shady real estate deals
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Ninja theme park suddenly closes in Japan, shadow warriors undone by shady real estate deals
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Masturbatory aid maker Tenga releases officially licensed anime versions in Japan and U.S.
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
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]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Masturbatory aid maker Tenga releases officially licensed anime versions in Japan and U.S.
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Why do foreign tourists queue up to eat at Tokyo Little House?
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Kyoto’s Meiji-era mansion opens a private tearoom with stained glass for just one day
Pokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
Burger King Japan brings back its insane all-you-can-eat One Pounder Challenge
Japanese man arrested after pretending to be foreigner while trying to rob convenience store
You can send your suitcase from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Shinkansen for same-day delivery… but it’ll cost you
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji