2024.04.01

April Fool’s Day in Japan ・ 10 Memorable Pranks From April 1, 2024

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April Fool’s Day in Japan is a real wild card, and you never know exactly what to expect. Check out some of the best and worst April Fool’s pranks from Japan this year!

April Fool's Day has been around in one form or another across the English-speaking world and parts of Europe for hundreds of years, but in Japan, the tradition of pranks and deception on April 1st has only become popular in recent years, with corporate advertising on the forefront of April Fool's adoption. While the more recent arrival of the holiday in Japan means that not everyone around the country seems to quite be on board with the unusual traditions, Japanese social media is just as packed with April Fool's posts on April 1st as anywhere else. Check out a few of the most entertaining and mystifying April Fool's "pranks" from Japan in 2024.

The Inexplicable

／
#ソニーのロゴの
大きさが変わります！
＼

今日からSONYのロゴの
“NY”が少し小さくなりました。

よろしくお願いします！#エイプリルフール #エイプリルフールにあえて本当のことを言ってみる pic.twitter.com/KQGGEvFQPt

— Xperia(Japan) (@xperia_japan) April 1, 2024

If you've spent enough time on the internet, you might have some idea of Japan's unique sense of humor, which often takes turns that foreign audiences have a hard time grasping. Of course, when a joke-focused holiday rolls around, that strange comedic streak really shines. This year, Sony Xperia's April Fool's post took the form of a major announcement that they hoped their customers would take kindly: the N and Y in the SONY logo would officially be getting a slight downgrade.

わんわん、わんわーーん、おはよう♪ そろそろ起きる時間だよ？ pic.twitter.com/LGqPvkflkZ

— シナモン【公式】 (@cinnamon_sanrio) March 31, 2024

Over in the world of Sanrio's cute characters, the official Cinnamoroll account freaked people out by inferring that the cute puppy character and his whole puppy crew would be getting a makeover and a whole new art style, with frankly eerie eyes that look like glass marbles.

ライバルは、
食べちゃうよ。

#エイプリルフール pic.twitter.com/6tD0jNLX5L

— えふたん (@Ftan_official) April 1, 2024

On the account of the bear cub mascot character F-tan, a character connected with Japan's popular baseball team the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, the normally cutesy little bear pulled a similar move and took on a serious new look. F-tan then made the statement "I eat rivals." The fish in his mouth is in fact another mascot character for the same team.

ミス焼き芋コンテストで優勝🏆
焼き芋PR大使に任命されました〜🙌#エイプリルフール pic.twitter.com/DjccF5Ju3g

— たぬきのお母さん (@Tanuki_Mum) April 1, 2024

Some smaller organizations got in on the fun too, like the tanuki (raccoon dog) rehabilitation center who claimed that one of their rescues had been officially named "Miss Roast Sweet Potato," and made an official sweet potato ambassador.

“速達”でお肌に潤いを届ける「ゆうぱっく」
全国の郵便局で一斉販売で～す#エイプリルフール

— JP 日本郵政株式会社 (@JapanPostHD_PR) March 31, 2024

But in the end, many of the pranks found around Japan are just little pun, like this one from the Japanese Postal Service. One of their most popular services is their Yu-Pack parcel delivery, so it only makes sense for them to offer a Yu-Pack… for your face, which promises "to moisture to your skin… express." (The pun works a little better in Japanese, forgive us.) Very nice, postal workers.

Obviously Just Testing the Waters

【悲報】
亀田製菓から「つらターン」が発売
辛いのにとまらなくてつらたん(´・ω・｀ )#エイプリルフール #つらターンの対義語はハッピーターン pic.twitter.com/bYpMZqn0Kk

— ハッピーターン【公式】 (@happyturnkameda) March 31, 2024

As with other parts of the world, Japan has seen a rash of April Fool's product proposals that seem a little too… realistic to really count as a prank. After the stunning success of the fake-turned-real Kinoko no Yama (Chocoroom) wireless earphones that sold out in under ten minutes, companies have unfortunately caught on to the low-risk high-reward concept of introducing an unlikely new product as a "prank." Examples include the "Tsuratan" rice crackers from the makers of popular cracker brand Happitan (sometimes written Happy Turn in English). The joke here is that these crackers are supposedly extra spicy, and Tsuratan is a silly Japanese slang word for difficult or painful… but is it really so unlikely that they've been thinking about releasing a spicy version of the salty-sweet crackers?

【お知らせ】

今回はエイプリルフールの企画のため、実際の店舗での開催は予定されておりませんが、
今後もみなさまに喜んでいただけるような企画を検討してまいります。#KFC #エイプリルフール https://t.co/hPM0vMH5DN

— ケンタッキーフライドチキン🍗 (@KFC_jp) April 1, 2024

Another example of this strange trend comes from KFC, which first made an announcement saying they would be offering customers a chance to pile as much chicken as they could into a bucket for the incredibly low flat price of 401 yen (approximately 2.65 USD). Within six hours, the brand came back saying that thanks to the positive feedback given on the original post, they would seriously consider offering all-you-can-stuff buckets in the future.

Unappetizing Creations

【新商品のお知らせ✨】

期間限定で、「たこ焼きフレーバー」作っちゃいました！！🐙

甘辛いソースがとろ~り。
ネギと紅生姜がアクセント❗

食べたいと思ったらリポストしてね🎵#エイプリルフール pic.twitter.com/uMeLp41xZx

— サーティワンアイスクリーム (@BR31_Icecream) March 31, 2024

Gross-outs and weird food creations are an April Fool's classic, and this year there were certainly a few to go around. Baskin Robbins (an American ice cream brand that has seen inexplicable success and popularity in Japan) started out strong with their mildly revolting takoyaki-flavored ice cream, supposedly using Osaka's famous octopus balls as inspiration for the perfect round scoop of ice cream. The flavor supposedly comes with a ripple of sweet and spicy takoyaki sauce and accents of green onion and pickled ginger. No word on whether or not this fake ice cream includes octopus bits or not.

＼4月1日発売開始／
【エバラ食品新商品のお知らせ】

ポーションがバケツサイズに！？

1プチッと1,000人前！
1,000人分の鍋が作れる「プチッと鍋」の
大容量タイプが新登場✨

その名も……

＿人人人人人人人＿
＞　ドカッと鍋　＜
￣Y^Y^Y^Y^Y^Y￣#エイプリルフール pic.twitter.com/baHaQ9LPt4

— エバラ食品【公式】🍖 (@_ebarafoods) March 31, 2024

While the hotpot specialists at Ebara Foods seemed think "wouldn't it be hilarious if our small hotpot flavoring packs were just really really big?" and went ahead and dreamed up a bucket-sized version that would provide enough flavor for 1,000 servings of hotpot, McDonalds Japan at least thought up a pun for their April Fool's offering – a supremely unappealing fake "Makku-nouchi" bento box full of cold McDonalds delicacies.

最高のおひる「マックの内弁当」販売決定！#エイプリルフール pic.twitter.com/CQRtjaHTSZ

— マクドナルド (@McDonaldsJapan) March 31, 2024

In Japan, McDonalds is generally nicknamed "Makku," while "makunouchi" is a classic variety of bento box. At least they tried.

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!

Details

NAME:April Fool's Day (エイプリルフール)

CULTURE

Sophia Appelbaum

Half a lifetime ago I came to Japan for a semester abroad... and I never left. I guess I really like the place! I spent my first few years in Japan living in the middle of nowhere, so I'd love to hear your Tokyo recommendations via Japankuru's social media accounts!

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- NAGOYA
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  Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.
- NIIGATA
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  Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.
- SHIZUOKA
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  Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.
- KANSAI
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  Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
- KYOTO
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  Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
- NARA
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  Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
- OSAKA
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  Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
- CHUGOKU
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  The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
- HIROSHIMA
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  Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
- SHIKOKU
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  On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
- KAGAWA
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  Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
- KYUSHU
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  Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
- FUKUOKA
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  Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
- KAGOSHIMA
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  Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
- OKINAWA
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  The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.