One day, if you’re lucky, maybe someone will remember you at Obon like this.
So imagine you’re dead, which is definitely a bummer. On the plus side, though, you’re Japanese-style dead, which means your spirit gets to come back to your home town in the world of the living every year as part of the Obon festival, which most of Japan celebrates in August.
Your surviving family members will even help you out by setting up traditional kyuri uma (“cucumber horses”) decorations, which are supposed to ensure a swift, smooth trip home.
▼ A cucumber horse next to an eggplant ox, another common Obon decoration.
いい感じな顔と耳がある私が作ったナス牛となぜかルンルンで片脚がハミングしてる姉のきゅうり馬 pic.twitter.com/RDWnJZPc9I
— 〆子持ちししゃも (@sisyamo327) August 14, 2019
Really, a nicely made cucumber horse is a sign that you had a full life, and are remembered fondly by your family. But you know what’s a sign that you really lived a good life? When your descendants care so much about you that instead of a horse, they prepare a Legendary Pokémon for you!
お盆にご先祖様が爆速で帰って来られるようにレックウザを用意しました。#お盆 #精霊馬 #レックウザ pic.twitter.com/HZGzL2uYiJ
— アメノミ (@amenomi1366) August 15, 2019
Pictured above is the handiwork of Japanese Twitter user @amenomi1366. A fan of both anime and model-building, @amenomi1366 honored his ancestors this Obon by skipping the horse and instead crafting a cucumber Rayquaza, the rare and powerful Dragon/Flyting-type Pocket Monster that made its video game debut in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
▼ Rayquaza in Pokémon GO
9 100% rayquaza’s still no shundo pic.twitter.com/Stdl8H1w6F
— Casey Leonard TL40X💫 (@85pokemaster) August 18, 2019
Not only does the cucumber Rayquaza look awesome in still photos, @amenomi1366 has set it up on a rotating stand so that we can gaze upon its majesty from all angles.
回転動画です pic.twitter.com/J1IZEsxltS
— アメノミ (@amenomi1366) August 15, 2019
Really, the only room for criticism is that for Obon, the cucumber horse symbolizes spirits’ journey to visit their family, while the eggplant ox is supposed to be for their trip back to the realm beyond. As such, @amenomi1366’s ancestors might be disappointed after arriving in style on the back of a Rayquaza and later finding out they’ll be leaving on a plain old eggplant ox, so maybe eggplant conveyance with a little more flare would increase their overall travel satisfaction.
Source: Twitter/@amenomi1366 via Hachima Kiko
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Pokémon kimono outfits will have you wanting to wear ‘em all【Photos】
A whole new batch of Pokémon can now be part of your legal signature in Japan with Gen III hanko
The best Pokémon music video of all time is here, thanks to Bump of Chicken and Bones【Video】
Huge life-size Slowpoke Pokémon plushie wants to hang out in your home, but you have to act fast
This Japanese theme park just made a real-world Pokémon forest for you to go Pokémon spotting in
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
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
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
The massive Pokémon card public art display going on in Japan right now is a thing of beauty【Pics】
Pokémon popcorn buckets coming to Japan’s first-ever permanent Pokémon theme park zone
150 Pokémon will be hiding in major Japanese train stations this fall, waiting for fans to find them
Japanese town’s Pikachu, Eevee mailboxes are awesome, and there’s another Pokémon to see too【Pics】
Pettable Pokémon, transforming Mario ghost latte art made by amazing Japanese artist【Videos】