Only in Japan would the mascot of a prefecture (Hokkaido) be an algae ball with an erection. Yes, you read correctly – algae erection! A marimo is this weird moss ball thing found only in Lake Akan. Mokkori is the Japanese for erection. Put the two together and you have Marimokkori! Why anybody would have thought of this combination is beyond me but I guess the balls have a kawaii factor and an erection is uh, perhaps a sign of strength/virility? It’s Japan, after all… the place where I must learn not to question so much but to just accept.