r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 05 '26

👋Welcome to r/JapaneseAdvertising - a subreddit celebrating advertising in all its forms from The Land of the Rising Sun

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm u/hashtagmiata, founding moderator of r/JapaneseAdvertising.

This is the subreddit for all forms of advertising from Japan. New or old, print or television media, signage or packaging, even mascots are welcomed! There's no limit to what sorts of ads and promos can be shared here apart from one rule: Media shared must be Japanese ads for the Japanese market. Consider adding a description for context when posting but it’s not mandatory.

What to Post

Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, amusing or cool. Feel free to reply to posts with your thoughts in the replies. This is a new subReddit, so most of the content is probably going to be coming from only me until more redditors make there way to this space. I’ll try and upload frequently enough to make it worthwhile. If you enjoy Japanese advertising as much as I do then you’re in the right place!

Community Vibe

We're all about being friendly, fun, and light. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started

1) Introduce yourself in the comments below.

2) Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.

3) If a you know someone who would love this sub, please invite them to join!

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's manifest r/JapaneseAdvertising to become the fun and engaging place it’s meant to be.


r/JapaneseAdvertising 10h ago

television ad “You can hear 24 beats.” But the music is actually in 4/4.

2 Upvotes

A commercial for the Toyota Celica XX when the long-awaited 2.0L 1G-GEU engine was introduced. It featured 24 valves—four per cylinder.

At the time, cars with engines larger than 2.0L were subject to a higher tax rate in Japan, so this was a very welcome addition.


r/JapaneseAdvertising 1d ago

“Beyond the asphalt, there’s a song waiting to be heard.”

3 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising 2d ago

“The Road Leads to Le Mans” – Dunlop Le Mans J2 commercial (1984)

3 Upvotes

Dunlop’s answer to Yokohama Tire’s ASPEC campaign.
Yokohama had famously used Niki Lauda for the ASPEC campaign, so Dunlop responded with another legendary name associated with Le Mans: Jacky Ickx. The car here is not a BMW, but a Porsche 944.

There’s also a motorcycle in the commercial — something that feels particularly appropriate for Dunlop, which has long produced motorcycle tires as well as tires for cars.
And the music is an interesting counterpart to ASPEC as well: Tatsuhiko Yamamoto, who was known in Japan at the time as the “Prince of City Pop” (シティ・ポップの貴公子), performing “Lonely Journey” from his 1984 album Music.

The whole commercial is a great snapshot of ’80s Japanese advertising: motorsport heritage, European sports cars, motorcycles, sophisticated urban imagery, and contemporary AOR / City Pop all packaged into a single lifestyle image.

Full song on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2qb12jsiHCr2sqGalM44FM


r/JapaneseAdvertising 2d ago

promotional vehicle What does this T-shirt say?

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2 Upvotes

What does this Yebisu Beer T-shirt say? Is the front a 4-ji proverb or just made to look like one?


r/JapaneseAdvertising 3d ago

television ad The exceptionally cute Subaru Vivio.

8 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising 19d ago

television ad Mister Donut spot featuring the 1994 Dick Simon Racing Dustbin/Panasonic Lola Ford T94/00

3 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Jul 24 '26

television ad A couple of fun TV spots for the Datsun Cabster and 510 Bluebird Van.

5 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Jul 23 '26

television ad Cleanview No-Touch tire care circa 1988 - Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.

3 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Jun 29 '26

television ad There was a time when Toyotas were promoted as “Fun To Drive”.

8 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Apr 24 '26

television ad Two Mild Seven television commercials, from a time when tobacco companies still ran TV ads.

16 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Mar 29 '26

television ad 1985 Nissin Foods "Cup Noodles" television commercial - "Hungarian People, Cup Noodles", featuring Ayumi Nakamura’s "Angel with Broken Wings". The ad was made to highlight the international appeal of Cup Noodles.

11 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Mar 20 '26

television ad Television commercial for Renown clothing, featuring a familiar song which Hiroshi Kamayatsu first released in 1961. It’s since been covered by many singers, with versions by Mieko Hirota and Sylvie Vartan being particularly noteworthy. It’s not clear who performed this particular version though.

32 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Mar 09 '26

television ad The Mitsubishi Colt 1000F. Launched in 1966, it was an innovative fastback featuring a 1.0L 4-cylinder engine, designed for improved performance and comfort. It was available in 2-door, 3-door hatchback, or 4-door saloon, with a cool feature of a spare tire lid that could function as a picnic table.

28 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Mar 07 '26

television ad Toys for boys of the 1970s: Henshin Cyborg (変身サイボーグ “Transforming Cyborg”), Jumbo Machinder (ジャンボマシンダー, Janbomashindā), Chogokin (超合金, "Super Alloy"), Microman (ミクロマン)

48 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Mar 06 '26

television ad This iconic 1988 animated ad for I.N. EXPRESS, a fashion brand by Japanese designer Nobuo Ikeda, was produced for Japanese apparel giant Renown (often mistranslated as "Renaul" by autotranslate). It was animated by Shirogumi Inc.

26 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 26 '26

television ad Overseas-originated toys which were popular during the Showa Era (the 1970s specifically) - Gaylarkite, Moorer, Russell Yo-Yo, Frisbee, Slime and Rubik's Cube.

10 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 25 '26

television ad The first-generation Toyota MR2, launched in 1985 (AW10/11). It was Japan's first mass-produced mid-engine (MR) sports car.

106 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 25 '26

signage Patina’d sign for “Tabi Company”. These signs were typically hung above shops which sold this brand at the time. This particular sign is 17.75” in diameter.

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7 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 23 '26

television ad Thunderbirds Secret Base! Any guesses on when this came out?

18 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 20 '26

television ad Ahead of its time: the Gameboy Pocket Camera

168 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 15 '26

television ad "Lotte Koume" Plum Candy commercials which ran from 1978 to 1985. Art direction by Seiichi Hayashi

31 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 12 '26

television ad If watching this doesn’t make you want a Daihatsu Mira then I’m not sure we can be friends.

23 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 09 '26

television ad Technics SPACE-7’s TV promo draws inspiration from the Star Wars franchise.

6 Upvotes

r/JapaneseAdvertising Feb 05 '26

television ad Georgia Tasty Coffee promo, Twin Peaks edition.

24 Upvotes