With Tokyo’s rice crops almost ready for harvest, it’s obviously imperative that the farmers protect their prize product. A process that, at least for some workers way out in the western corner of the capital, means once again wheeling out this season’s specially attired sentinels.

A varied selection of scarecrows that as well as boasting blonde bombshells,

and manga-inspired monsters,

includes blokes bothered about biscuits,

along with Santa somewhat surprisingly doing a bit during his down time.

Plus there’s the odd deranged doll design,

and, in a kind nod to the otaku teeming cafes of akihabara, there’s at least a meagre amount of moe, with a maid.

Which for one or two at least, appears to be worth a wee wave.

Or even a wild one.