13. Stunning Rice Paddy Art
“Yuru-kyara”are Japanese mascots used topromote towns, regions, tourist attractions, products, and more. Ranging fromcute and funny to downright bizarre, these characters can be found inevery corner of the country, adding a playful touch to marketing and community engagement.
Two of the most iconic Yuru-kyara areNHK’s Domo-kunandKumamon from Kumamoto Prefecture(pictured above), both of whom have gainedworldwide recognition. While some mascots are hits and others misses, theinfluence and economic powerbehind them is impressive—Kumamon alone generated 124.4 billion extra yenfor Kumamoto in just two years!
