Aug 30, 2007
Hello, Please!
If there’s a reason Japanese snack package design tends to be so popular with tourists, it’s probably because of the cute and colorful characters that are often prominently featured all over. This country’s love for cute mascots extends to pretty much everything that surrounds you, and that includes all manner of signs and instructions. Don’t believe me? Get a copy of Hello, Please! Very Helpful Super Kawaii Characters from Japan, by Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda, and see for yourself.
Itself a cute little book, the guide takes you on a tour of all those kawaii characters that try to make your life in Japan that much easier (and in a friendly way). It’s pretty much cover to cover photography, and very fun to read through.
Jean Snow is a contributor to 
He will be contributing to the upcoming fifth editions of 
What a coincidence!
I just saw Mr.Matt Alt this afternoon
and he showed us his interesting book,
this Kawaii yuru-chara!!
And now I looked up your blog and
I found Mr.Matt Alt book again!
This book is super-interesting.
He traveled all over Japan and searched
for those local “Kawaii” charactors.
I think his passion is great.
Yeah, it really is a nice book, and you can tell that a lot of research (traveling the country) went into it. It was even make a great segment for TOKYO EYE!
I must say that it was something that I found very funny when I first arrived in Tokyo. Specially the police sign with a little rabbit(?) flying. I loved the koban character. I had to take a picture or no one would have believe me ;)