Our northern Kanto reporters team up and head to Gunma for a look at this part of Japan that gets overlooked by tourists.
Tanuki
Wild animal’s surprise appearance makes people wonder if this was a shapeshifting salaryman on his way home from work.
Japanese raccoon dogs are known for their large…ahem, appendages. But which one is the largest of them all?
Because nothing says “delicious cooking” like huge, saggy pig balls, right?
The people have made it clear that they want the shrine to stay, but will that be enough to save it?
They may look similar at first glance, but the two separate species of forest critters have a handful of key differences.
See this tanuki? Aren’t his balls cute? Welcome to Japan, where raccoon-dog genitals are universally admired.
During these crisp, cool days of autumn, the leaves are changing color to vibrant reds and yellows. Along with that change in the scenery comes a shift in fashion, as people step out in sweaters, coats, and other cold-weather attire.
But while you or I can put on a heavy jacket to help ward off the chill, that’s not an option for Japan’s woodland animals. Don’t worry, though because while these tanuki can’t put on additional layers of clothing to keep warm, they can add additional layers of tanuki by sleeping in an adorable bunch.
Japanese raccoon dogs, or tanuki as they’re known over here, are animals with great significance in Japanese folk-lore. Among their many supernatural attributes such as giant scrota and swift speeds, the tanuki are also known for their purported shapeshifting abilities.
And though the above picture clearly dispels the size of their manhood, there appears to be some truth to their art of disguise. As the Twitter user who posted the photo explains, this little guy is actually pretending to be a stray cat so he can get some of the food laid out for him.
Tanuki, also known as Japanese raccoon dogs, hold a special place in Japanese culture. Often the center of folktales for their large testicles, magical abilities, and easygoing attitude, you can see them depicted in works of art all over the country.
However, now the tanuki is threatened. Not the actual animal, but a cake created in its image known as the tanuki cake. For many middle-aged Japanese people the mention of such a treat would awaken fond childhood memories. Despite this, the tanuki cake population in Japan has plummeted in recent years to the point of being critically endangered.
That’s why the website Tanuki Cake No Aru Toko Meguri has established the National Tanuki Cake Habitat Map, so that we may monitor and perhaps conserve these noble animal-shaped cakes.
MOST POPULAR
Now
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Japanese restaurant serves meals to diners via a moving steam locomotive train
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Resol Poshtel: Cheap capsule hotel in Tokyo is a hit with overseas visitors, and we find out why
Is Japan’s new Asahi Super Dry beer better or worse than the original formula?
Weekly
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Monthly
- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
- 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
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Resol Poshtel: Cheap capsule hotel in Tokyo is a hit with overseas visitors, and we find out why
Is Japan’s new Asahi Super Dry beer better or worse than the original formula?
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
New Era combines with old eras for amazing hat collection based on Japanese painting masterpieces
Sailor Moon’s Comic Heart Compact will transform your cheeks as a gorgeous blush container
The mystery destination of the SoraNews24 end-of-year party left us speechless
Akihabara’s new capsule hotel has a bar with craft beer and sake, hot spring-style mineral bath
Buddhist priest at Japanese temple lodging goes viral for rude responses to tourist’s bad reviews
-
