A real life Mario Kart gang unexpectedly appears. Riding mini-carts, they've become a hot topic in Sapporo.

Translated from the original article at: http://sapporo.keizai.biz/headline/1403/

August 1, 2012

A scene of the costumed Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Kinopio (Toad) driving in the city. (Photo taken by Takuya Ejiri)

A group known by such titles as the "Mario Kart Gang that appeared out of nowhere" has become a hot topic. Dressing up as characters from the popular game Mario Kart and boarding sport karts, they ride through the city of Sapporo.

The Mario Kart Gang, waiting at a traffic light.

At the end of April, "Mario Eyewitness" reports have become a topic on sites such as Twitter. Gradually, they came to involve not just Mario. Reports of Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad joining Mario to race amongst each other also came in.

The Mario Kart Gang ride X-Karts (Japanese site), which are lawful on Japan's public roads. The originator of the gang is an independent business owner identifying himself as Mr. H: "My motivation came from previously watching (Mario Kart) on the TV, and thinking of how I wanted to do it myself. Within the city, I searched for and bought a suitable X-Kart." From there, the rumor of the "Real Mario Kart" gradually caught fire.

"Aren't the public roads good for driving on?" inquired Mr. Taniguchi, owner of Auto Whop Believe, a cart store in Kawashimo of Sapporo City's Shiroishi Ward. "With an ordinary driver's license, one can drive a 50CC class cart, weighing up to 60 kilograms (132 pounds)," he explained. Not being required to use helmets, Mr. H and "Luigi" opted to wear their signature caps instead.

The gang mainly goes riding during weekends with favorable weather and weekday evenings. Those passing by react with yells of surprise and laughter, many taking pictures to remember the event.

"We wish to deliver energy and laughs to Hokkaido," said Mr. H. "When taking pictures of us, please be aware of the traffic lights and surrounding cars," he warned and urged.

Original text:
札幌でリアル「マリオカート」集団話題に－ミニカートに乗り神出鬼没
（2012年08月01日）

マリオ・ルイージ・ピーチ姫・キノピオのコスチュームで市内を走る様子（撮影＝江尻拓也）

スポーツカートに乗り、人気ゲームソフト「マリオカート」のコスチュームで札幌市内を走る「神出鬼没」の「マリオカート軍団」が話題を呼んでいる。

【画像】横断歩道で信号待ちするマリオカート軍団

今年4月末、ツイッターなどで「マリオ目撃」情報が話題となり、次第にマリオだけでなく、ルイージ、ピーチ姫、キノピオらと4人で走る情報も飛び交うようになった。

「軍団」が乗るのは、合法的にも公道を走ることができる「X-Kart」。最初にマリオのコスチュームで走り始めた自営業を営む「H」さんは、「以前テレビで見かけて自分もやってみたいと思ったことがきっかけ。市内で販売店を探し『X-KART』を購入した」といい、徐々に「リアルマリオカート」のうわさに火が付いた。

「公道を走っても良いのか」という意見も寄せられるが、市内の同カート販売店「オートショップ ビリーブ」（札幌市白石区川下）の店長・谷口さんは「普通免許で運転できる50ccの乗用車で、最大60キロで走行できる」と説明する。ヘルメット着用義務もないため、Hさんらのようにマリオやルイージの特徴的な帽子姿も披露できる。

主に天気の良い週末、平日の夕方に走行し、通行人・通行者からは驚きの声と笑い声が上がり、記念撮影を求める人も多い。

「北海道に元気と笑いを届けたい」とHさん。「撮影する際は信号や周りの車に気を付けていただければ」と注意も促す。

In the intense heat, Japanese Macaques of the Sarugashima Fukuchiyama Zoo are given an icy present.

Translated from the original article: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120728-00000303-rtn-l26

Sent out on July 28, 6:07PM by the Ryoutan Daily Shinbun

Japanese macaques enjoy the cold ice.

During the hot, late days of summer, 26 Japanese Macaques were given a frozen present. The Macaques are being raised at the Sandanike Zoo (Director: Toshikuni Nihonmatsu), near Sarugashima in Izaki, Fukuchiyama City. On that day, the 27th, the city recorded its highest temperature of the year, 35.8 Celsius (96.4 Fahrenheit). In the middle of the severe heat, the monkeys appeared to enjoy touching the ice, eating the fruit inside of it.

During the peak of each year’s summer, the zoo’s animals receive frozen presents. This is the 3rd year in a row the Sarugashima Macaques have partaken in the event.

This year, apples, bananas, pineapples, oranges and more were frozen into four blocks, at a combined weight of 150 kilograms (330 pounds). Last year, when the ice was placed, the monkeys immediately arrived. Because of the fireworks incident in January of this year, the monkeys exercised great caution, first viewing the ice while surrounding it from a distance.

However, lured by the fruit inside the ice, the monkeys began approaching one after another. While checking the ice with their hands and feet, they began to remove the fruit and eat it.

Visiting with her family, Takeda Mako (Age 5) of Kanagawa City, Yokosuka Prefecture's Kindergarten said while smiling: "It seems cold and delicious. It was cute." Park Director Nihonmatsu added: "Since the fireworks incident, they've been scared of humans. They didn’t immediately come over like last year. Still, it was nice to give them this present during the hottest time of the year.


Original text:
猛暑に氷のプレゼント　福知山市動物園・猿ケ島のニホンザルに
両丹日日新聞 7月28日(土)18時7分配信

氷の冷たさを楽しむサルたち

福知山市猪崎、三段池公園内の市動物園（二本松俊邦園長）は土用の丑の日の２７日、近くの「猿ケ島」で飼育しているニホンザル２６匹に氷のプレゼントをした。同日は市内で今年最高気温の３５・８度を記録。猛烈な暑さの中、サルたちは気持ち良さそうに氷を触り、中の果物を食べていた。

園では毎年夏の一番暑い時期に、動物たちへ氷をプレゼント。猿ケ島のニホンザルへは３年前から続けている。

今年はリンゴ、バナナ、パイナップル、ミカンなどを入れた氷４個（重さ計約１５０キロ）を用意。昨年は氷を置くと、すぐにサルたちが寄って来たが、今年１月に猿ケ島へ花火が投げ込まれる事件が起きたため、警戒心が強くなり、最初は遠巻きに眺めていた。

しかし氷の中の果物につられて、次第に近づくサルが増え始め、氷の感触を手や足で確かめたり、解け始めた氷の中から果物を取り出して食べたりしていた。

家族と一緒に訪れた神奈川県横須賀市の幼稚園児、武田まこさん（５）は「冷たそうで、おいしそうに食べていた。かわいかった」とニッコリ。二本松園長は「花火の事件以来、人間をまだ怖がっているようで、昨年のようにすぐには寄ってきませんでした。一番暑い時にプレゼントすることが出来てよかった」と話していた。