Stores Front Full Size Figures

The life-size mechanical clown mascot in front of the landmark Cui-daore restaurant in Osaka since 1950 retired July 8 when the business closed it’s doors for the final time.

The restaurant had been popular with tourists because of Cui-daore Taro, the bespectacled drum-beating clown, and its novel menu.

Taro is not the only life-size figure for Japan storefronts.

This celebrity, Tatsuo Umemiya, created a plastic replica of himself for placement in front of his pickled vegetable (tsukemono) stores, probably because a giant pickled eggplant did not appear inviting.

Orange and pink Sato-chan’s guard drug stores.

Colonel Sanders in Japan has a large wardrobe. This outlet in Akihabara has the colonel dressed up for cosplay.

Peko-chan (kimono), Kero-chan (green). Lifelike goods are also available for home use.

photos: Taro; Umemiya; Big Boy; Sato-chan; KFC cosplay; KFC yukata; KFC white; Peko-chan; Kero-chan; blow-up doll; foam doll.

Huge eggplant photo illustration by LetsJapan.

companies: Sato-chan, Sato; Kero-chan, Kowa; KFC; Peko-chan, Fujiya confectioner; Big Boy; Umemiya.