Speed Racer-themed gas stations

The US remake of Speed Racer was horrible, but in Japan, Maha GoGo is legendary. According to Boing Boing, there are even Maha GoGo-themed gas stations. Looks like this one is in Kyushu. Gas stations in Japan are fully serviced and usually, the gas comes from the sky—although this one looks like it has ground-based pumps like the US. Interesting...Also, if you're wondering what that little green-and-yellow sticker on the back of the van at center is, it's the "rookie" sticker—anyone who has had their drivers' license for less than a year is required by law to put it on.

I wrote about the original Speed Racer on MangoBot back in May. Read it here.

Comments

[Jeshii]

I love how people in America will put the shoshinsha mark on their cars cause it looks cool and import exotic. It's the kanji tatoo of the automobile world, just not quite as permanent.

[vagrant]

I wondered what that mark was, but kept forgetting to ask someone. Thanks for that.

This suddenly reminded me that I saw the oddest logo on a gas station chain in Japan. It was 'very' similar to the Bewitched logo from the TV show. Here's an image to give a visual. http://assets.hulu.com/shows/key_art_bewitched.jpg

I'm not sure I ever saw pumps on the ground, but I wasn't looking for any and the gf does not pump her own gas. ;)

[Max Pinton]

I'd always heard that Japanese gas stations were full-service, but then what's the セルフ on the canopy refer to?