Some friendly sorts met during my travels...

Some colorful ninjas hanging out at the toll road rest stop in Kusatsu, Shiga...

Nana-chan ningyo at the Meitetsu Bus Center in Nagoya...

Some tanuki ninjas at the toll road rest stop in Tsuchiyama, Shiga...

P.S. If you haven't been to a toll road rest stop in Japan, you are missing out (as they are nothing like the smelly, dirty, dangerous rest stops you might find on American highways)...