Local gas companies occasionally add a touch of character to the giant spherical gas containers that dot the landscape of Japan. Here are a few examples.

Nicotan (mascot of Shibata Gas) -- Shibata, Niigata prefecture [via]

Watermelon -- Tomisato, Chiba prefecture [via]

Hikari-chan and Gatto-kun -- Niigata [via]

Zen monk-poet Ryōkan -- Tsubame, Niigata prefecture [via]

Soccer ball -- Kiryū, Gunma prefecture [via]

Tokkikki (Niigata prefectural mascots) -- Niigata [via]

Ōnyūdō -- Yokkaichi, Mie prefecture

Peach -- Akaiwa, Okayama prefecture [via]

Ouchi dolls -- Yamaguchi prefecture [via]

Welcome to Isesaki -- Gunma prefecture [via]

"Taisha" wheeled fish toy -- Niigata [via]

Morioka Gas character dancing the Sansa Odori -- Morioka, Iwate prefecture [via]

Bunbuku Chagama tanuki -- Gunma prefecture [via] // Origami cranes -- Mie prefecture [via]

Japanese irises -- Niigata [via]

Watermelon -- Takizawa, Iwate prefecture [via]

Godai-chan (tourism mascot for the city of Kashihara) -- Nara prefecture [via]

Kōfu, Yamanashi prefecture [via]

Kintarō -- Saitama [via]

Flowers and butterflies -- Niigata prefecture [via]

Artist's conception of Nintendo Kirby tanks [via]

Norek
These are awesome^^
[]GK
I wish the Kirby ones were out there!
[]Mr. S.
Tanuki-no-kintama-wa? Umm... soba!
[]Adrian Schüller
Very nice designs, kirby-tank is the best! :)
[]Terratag
With all the terrible images coming from Japan, it is great to see something positive. Illustrating the energy, creativity, humour and vision that stands this great nation apart.
[]Long Live Japan!
Worried
Pink Tentacle guy, are you alright? I noticed there have been no posts since the earthquake. I understand that maybe there is no power and that there are more important things to do in an emergency than blogging, but I am worried about you.
[]HOMO(sap)IENS
Very cool
[]I like Watermelon tank gas :D
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No Death Star? Laaame
[]Kevin
No pokeballs? or did I miss it.
[]hollowsham
Totally off the head,I love it !
[]