Tanuki

I'm convinced that you can't walk 50 meters in Japan without tripping over a Tanuki statue. They're everywhere! I took the first three photos within a block and a half of each other in Zushi.

The one above and below are outside karaoke places... hence the microphone. You'll often see him standing guard outside restaurants as well. By the way I can call them all "he" with confidence. Look closely because that is one distinctive thing about all of these statues.

There are real Tanuki around here as well. I have only seen one once. They look a lot like raccoons and are often referred to as Raccoon Dogs.

There is an extensive article about Tanuki here.

This guy in the photo above enjoys his sake out on the street in Kawasaki.