Over the past few years, greater than 40 T-Rex costume races have been held across Japan, making it considered one of the fastest-growing racing events within the Asian country.
The origins of Tyrannosaurus costume racing are believed to have begun in 2019, when dozens of individuals wearing inflatable Tyrannosaurus Rex costumes gathered on the Emerald Downs Racetrack in Auburn, Washington, for a fun race that has since made the rounds within the media social media. However, T-Rex suit racing never really gained popularity within the West, at the very least not as much because it did in Japan. The inaugural Tyrannosaurus Race Daisen was held within the town of Daisen in Tottori Prefecture in April 2022 and was so successful that it inspired a nationwide trend. Since then, over 40 similar events have been held across the country.
Photo: YouTube
The very first T-Rex costume race became a national phenomenon on video-sharing platforms and social media at a time when people were fed up with Japan’s draconian lockdowns. Following its success, cities across the country began hosting their very own events, with similar results. People fell in love with this crazy concept, and sales of inflatable dinosaur costumes skyrocketed.
“Runners can do things they couldn’t do as humans, if they’re all tyrannosaurs, there’s nothing shameful,” explained Naoki Kawamoto, 36, a contract video director and founding father of Tyrannosaurus Race Daisen.
On January 29, 2023, about 60 people in colourful T. rex costumes in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, took part in a series of races divided into three categories: baby dinosaurs (elementary school students and younger), adult female dinosaurs (middle school students and older), and adult male dinosaurs dinosaurs. To participate, all you needed to do was purchase your individual T-Rex costume (available in quite a lot of colours online) and register for the event.
The hottest event of this sort in Japan stays the Daisen Race, the last edition of which took place in April last 12 months and gathered over 200 dinosaurs firstly.
“It helps relieve stress,” one participant told a Japanese newspaper Asahi.
