For the Noto Peninsula Earthquake Reconstruction…300 Decotrailers in Reiwa Gathered to Show Their Flamboyant and Passionate Attention!

The organizers insisted that I come. Thankfully, my deco-trucks are very popular among fans, and when I hear that children want to see the real thing, I can’t say no.”

Fujio Tanaka, 63, a resident of Nara Prefecture, said he came all the way 800 km, a distance of 13 hours, on a car ferry with his beloved machine (5th photo) with “Ebessan” painted on it.

On April 14, a large number of decorated trucks with colorful paintings and decorations gathered at Takahara Sports Park in Takahara Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. The number of trucks was as many as 300. The purpose of the event was to support the recovery from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. The participation fee of 2,000 yen collected from owners of decotrailers was donated to the cause, and the event was free of charge for spectators. In addition, participants pay for their own fuel, highway, and lodging. The organizer’s initial estimate was 200 vehicles, but the number of participants from all over Japan far exceeded expectations.

A 58-year-old man who participated in the event in a decotra decorated with children’s favorite cartoon characters (third photo) said, “I managed to make it because the purpose of the event was to support the recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake. His passionate thoughts were packed in every decotra.

Kazuhiro Fukumaru, 69, the owner of the decotra (first photo), which is decorated with vivid ukiyoe prints from the Edo period, reveals how he first met it.

I bought it from the previous owner in 1988. I can’t tell you the amount because it is a secret, but it took me 10 years to finish paying for it. It was painted by a famous artist, and I felt the painting had momentum, so I decided to buy it without asking about the price.

The picture was painted in 1985. It is an antique decotrailer from the Showa period. The decotra, which has been with Mr. Fukumaru for about 35 years, is still shining, both the car and the painting.

I don’t use this truck to transport goods. I usually cover it with a blanket and store it in a warehouse.

The “original,” flashy old type with glittering electric lights is still alive and well, and is said to be popular among children. The “original” old type with its flashy electric lights still exists and is popular among children,” said Shinya Nagahara, 44, president of Dream Hope, the organizer of the event.

Children are so influenced by this event that they even make their own “deco charis. There were even professional machines with car batteries mounted on the bicycles. When I saw a child pedaling his “overloaded” Deco-chari as hard as he could to the venue, my eyes lit up.

The children who came in contact with the owners’ passionately designed deco-trucks are sure to pass the circle of charity on to the next generation.

From the May 3, 2024 issue of FRIDAY