Who can clean up the neighborhood and look good doing it? The garbage man can!
If you are a fan of offbeat Japanese culture, then you are familiar with the phenomenon that is “deko tora”, which means decorated truck. Truck drivers will pimp out their rides so that they are impressive to look, with a small caveat being that they are kind of distracting, or rather, very distracting, on the road.
Another common truck has also been getting decorated, however the results are less “Las Vegas” and more “friendly neighborhood suburb”. You may not have noticed them before as they rumble along, picking up bags of trash as they go about their business. But you might not be able to ignore them when they look like this.
https://twitter.com/keifairy45/status/549421409638678528https://twitter.com/nonmatuazu/status/747946852222283776イーオ、とっても可愛い!!
— 成田友絵 (@NaritaTomoe) August 29, 2016
ヨコハマ3R夢!のごみ収集車もとっても可愛いですよね〜(*^^*) pic.twitter.com/HJxjNZB9uw
The colorful trucks are part of a public relations campaign that will hopefully make them popular with children. If you feel a little bit happier during your day because you came across one of these fun-looking trucks, then mission accomplished!
ゴミ回収車が可愛い pic.twitter.com/uizOCNdOYg
— 犬乃しゅらむ (@syuramu) March 10, 2014
https://twitter.com/may55bear/status/778522599626158080ちょうどVファーレン長崎のゴミ回収車😌
— ノブ (@nmem10) June 5, 2016
ヴィヴィくん~~♪ pic.twitter.com/ItTIoDgXaE
▼ We wonder if the tiger was chosen because the word for “tiger” in Japanese (tora) sounds like the word for “truck” (torakku).
虎のゴミ収集車 pic.twitter.com/LA45IvVRbH
— ぁんどう (@ando_improv) July 18, 2016
Since this is Japan we are talking about, there are bound to be a few trucks with an anime theme, right?
https://twitter.com/wakawaka243724/status/511541759432589312ア゙ア゙ア゙ア゙ア゙エヴァ収拾車ッ pic.twitter.com/DftPSstkgB
— たいのり (@marchen_nero) August 31, 2015
今日見たゴミ収集車。すげーな pic.twitter.com/Updhyq9bPm
— ゲボ(苦)ちゃん🤮 (@posyare08) July 26, 2016
▼ Sometimes they might feature a local celebrity, even if that celebrity is a historical figure.
https://twitter.com/suzaku2san/status/731053233624383488 https://twitter.com/Thoma0087/status/337506253314068480地元の名物は歴史に残ってる有名人が描かれたゴミ収集車がゴミを回収すること pic.twitter.com/GezlxGH7Db
— 峰ドラ✈︎🎮 (@baby_object) July 12, 2016
▼ The writing on this truck appears to be manga-style sound effects that describe what the truck is doing (the writing at the rear reads “go go go go”)…or the sounds of disbelief uttered by people who are seeing the truck for the first time.
小田原のゴミ収集車……? pic.twitter.com/VNAWvguGRp
— mohno (@mohno) May 25, 2016
We’d love to see this sort of thing get popular all over the world. Although, it isn’t likely to happen in the U.S. as the garbage trucks there are probably bound by strict government regulations, and governing is serious business (just ask Japanese Donald Trump).
Source: Naver Matome
Featured image: Twitter/Mohno

1,000 boxes of disposable chopsticks dumped on Tokyo freeway following delivery truck fire【Video】
Half-destroyed truck seen driving down Japanese highway, astounds drivers【Video】
How to dispose of pizza boxes: Life hack from Japanese garbage man goes viral online 【Video】
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Here’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
Adorable New “Pokemomo” Brand Goods Coming to Pokemon Center Stores Across Japan
What makes a good boss in Japan? Workers sound off in survey
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
End-of-the-Line Exploring in Japan: Tokyo’s Mita Line can give you all the nothing you want【Pics】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
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
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
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
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Tsukiji fish market vendors move to Toyosu in huge fleet of turret trucks【Pics & Video】
Tokyo to crack down on hostess/host bar advertising trucks by closing loophole
“Tail scarves” are the latest cute cat trend to warm our hearts this winter【Pics】
Japanese driver in traffic jam gets the worst possible vehicle stuck behind him【Video】
Tokyo Metropolitan Police shows us how to make garbage bags out of newspaper
Japanese city changes “burnable trash” bags to “the only option is to burn this trash” bags
Fujisawa Enoshima Fireworks Festival results in one ton of garbage strewn on the beach
Shibuya Halloween event turns ugly with toppled truck, perverts, and upskirt photography
Japan’s top sakura cherry blossom viewing spots littered with trash after hanami picnics
Toyosu fish market opens with tuna auction, traffic jams, accidents, and turret truck fire
Animals, cars, and anime: Japanese salons give kids the VIP treatment
Train in Japan evacuated after colliding with truck and derailing【Photos, video】
Volunteers cleaned up 45 tons of garbage from Manila Bay beach, restored it to its former glory
Leave a Reply