
Passersby were treated to the jazzy refrain of Kenshi Yonezu’s Lemon, as played by a gigantic mop-headed monster.
Vocaloid-producer-turned-pop-sensation Kenshi Yonezu won hearts all over Japan with his 2018 song “Lemon”, a bittersweet tune about the loss of a loved one. Though the lyrics are poignant and poetic, the melody is jazzy and bright; kind of like how a lemon itself has that sunshine color but a sour, acidic taste.
The tune is so catchy it’s even recognizable when played on a calculator. The fact it was used in a popular drama, Unnatural, means it’s even more likely for your average person to know it, and many would be happy to hear that same sweet melody during their train commute, no matter who was playing it.
▼ Even if it was a huge, shaggy looking monster.
The character in the video is Mukku, a yeti who appears in the children’s television show Hirake! Ponkikki. Usually to be found with his green dinosaur pal, Gachapin, Mukku gets up to plenty of antics in the public eye. This time was no different: he was clearly intending to draw a crowd, and he was going to use the public-use piano at Kannai Station in Yokohama to do it.
▼ “No one’s showing up…”
But once Mukku settled down to try his basic scales, faltering and stumbling with every note, people began to crowd around.
▼ He doesn’t play too badly, for a gigantic yeti monster.
When Mukku finished his shaky run-through of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”, he’d amassed quite the respectable crowd. All the better to surprise them with what was hidden up his furry sleeve: Mukku is actually an accomplished pianist, capable of performing a beautiful rendition of “Lemon”!
▼ Several young women gasped “It’s ‘Lemon’!” as he tapped out the opening bars.
By the time he finished his performance, he had won the crowd over enough to earn a rousing round of applause!
▼ “Thanks for watching, everyone!”
As you can see in the video, many of Mukku’s adoring fans snapped footage of the performance on their smartphones. Social media quickly filled with tales of users’ personal Yonezu yeti yarns, like these:
▼ “I was out shopping and Mukku was there playing Kenshi Yonezu’s ‘Lemon’! He was really good, please check it out!”
お買い物行ったらムックが米津玄師さんのLemon弾いててとっても上手だったのでぜひ見てくださーーーい!!!!! pic.twitter.com/nM3mNmRSgH
— ま お (@kmym__23) February 16, 2019
▼ “Mukku was playing piano at Kannai…”
関内でムックがピアノ引いてた... pic.twitter.com/JgQmU8Df2H
— かなた (@kanata9029) February 16, 2019
▼ “Mukku, playing ‘Lemon’ by Kenshi Yonezu in the Kannai underground subway…hahaha he was really good”
Apparently his musical stylings don’t end there, as there’s also video of Mukku serenading us with the very same song with his beautiful voice.
Of course, we know that there’s no shortage of musically talented mascots in Japan. Head to Aomori to check out the most amazing drummer we’ve ever seen (sorry, Yoshiki) and pear fairy Funassyi is no slouch, either.
And if you’re a mascot with no musical talent, you could always just wait for a star like Mukku to tickle the ivories so you can focus on getting your groove on.
Sources: YouTube/ガチャピンちゃんねる【公式】, Otakomu
Top image: YouTube/ガチャピンちゃんねる





New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Beautiful exclusive Totoro tenugui towel is a gift from Disney to Ghibli physical media buyers
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Beautiful exclusive Totoro tenugui towel is a gift from Disney to Ghibli physical media buyers
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Yakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
Cup Noodle and Columbia team up for a weird and wonderful T-shirt that’s very Japanese
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Starbucks Japan releases exclusive new Bearista collection…with beary cute details
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
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
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
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Yakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
Cup Noodle and Columbia team up for a weird and wonderful T-shirt that’s very Japanese
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Sanrio eco-friendly plushies are here for the earth-conscious lovers of all things kawaii
Japanese government sets up new group to deal with trading card boom
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
If you love Pokémon and cats, you’ll love Japan’s cat Pokémon cat toys and feeding dishes[Photos]
Hatsune Miku, VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi perform opening pitch at pro baseball game in Japan [Video]
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
McDonald’s Japan reveals new Pokémon collaboration range, covering McNuggets and lucky bags
Giant Snorlax, other snoozing Pokémon appear in Yokohama for Pokémon Sleeping Faces Research [Pics]