Daiso releases tote bags series for every prefecture in Japan

Adorable and attractive patterns and designs teach us which prefecture of Japan grows the most bonsai trees and which has the most Shinto shrines.

Every prefecture in Japan has a Daiso branch, the most well-known 100 yen store in the country. Additionally, as of this month, Daiso carries products from all of Japan's prefectures.

On November 4, Daiso began selling a series of 47 shoulder tote bags, one for each of Japan’s prefectures. Each features a charming illustration by artist Yutanpo Shirane that represents the region, but quite possibly not for the reason most people expect.

For example, yes, Hokkaido and Okinawa are, respectively, Japan’s coldest and warmest parts, which is why the people on their bags are dressed the way they are. But what the drawings are really meant to illustrate is that Hokkaido is where you’ll find Japan’s largest uninhabited island (Ashima Oshima), and that Okinawa has the country’s highest birth rate.

Likewise, sure, Akita Prefecture is where the Akita dog breed comes from, but the reason this pooch is sleeping isn’t just because it’s cute, but because residents of Akita statistically sleep longer than anyone else in Japan.

Some of the trivia is pretty common knowledge, like how Gifu, which used to be a center for swordsmiths, now makes the largest share of Japan’s cooking knives.. …but did you know that Miyazaki is where the largest amount of bokuto, wooden martial arts practice swords, are crafted?

Similarly, Osaka topping the nation in takoyaki (octopus dumpling) consumption isn’t a surprise.

…but how about Saitama, Tokyo’s neighbor to the north that’s often saddled with a reputation as a dull, nondescript place, being Japan’s biggest ice cream producer?

Speaking of Tokyo, because Tokyo includes the sparsely populated Ogasawara Islands, which are the southernmost parts of Japan, it has the distinction of being the first prefecture to formally open its beaches for swimming.

Other noteworthy facts include the existence of Japan's oldest living sakura cherry blossom tree in Yamanashi, the number of Shinto temples in Niigata, the largest bonsai tree production in Kagawa, and the largest jungle gym in Hiroshima.

The bags cost only 100 yen and are comprised of 56% recycled materials. Each bag may only be purchased within the prefecture it symbolizes, and each client is only allowed to make three purchases. This gives us all an added reason to travel to the following prefecture and learn more about the different part of Japan.

TLPPACKAGING FOR SHOPPING BAGS