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 ]
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Capsule machine found in Nara with mystery edible insects
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Capsule machine found in Nara with mystery edible insects
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
The day our male reporter used a women’s restroom with other dudes and they learned about otohime
How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
The day our male reporter used a women’s restroom with other dudes and they learned about otohime
How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
Japan’s life-size moving Gundam is closing soon, and the last tickets are about to go on sale
Ghibli glow-in-the-dark T-shirt lights up your style with Princess Mononoke’s cutest character
In the kitchen with Kiki – We whip up some Ghibli-inspired rice porridge