Why Mario is so European?

[Snoorlax]

Xenobot said:

Aren't Japanese nationalists?
Western games and consoles doesn't have a chance against japanese consumers.
So, if they can't stand western products why Mario is so non Japanese?

1. Mario, Luigi - I'm assuming they are Italian plumbers
2. Princes Peach lives in European castle (it looks almost like Disney castle)
3. Name one track in MK8 placed in Japan (Sunshine Airport? N64 Toad's Turnpike?)?
(the same story as Sonic generations - all stages are either fictional or European/Western themed)

Only Bowser reminds Chinese/Japanese dragon.

Why, o why there's never any Japanese theme in Mario games? (any shrines?) I mean: Any clues, eh? 

It's interesting how some of the more famous western styled games like RE, MGS, original Silent Hills and Dark Souls are Japanese.