- 14 Mar 2002
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More than a hundred local mascots gathered in Shiga Prefecture on Saturday for a lively festival celebrating the spirit and charm of Japan's many regions. Each costumed figure reflected something unique about its hometown—some inspired by local foods, others by historical tales or folk traditions—and they delighted the crowds that filled the streets of Hikone, where the helmeted cat mascot Hikonyan (ひこにゃん) was born back in 2006.
Hikonyan's gentle, playful character helped ignite a nationwide affection for yuru-kyara (ゆるキャラ), a term used for Japan's clumsy and soft-hearted mascots. Organisers said the festival began in 2008 as a way to draw visitors to the area and has continued nearly every year since, apart from a brief pause during the pandemic. Almost 80,000 people came over the two days last year, they noted.
This year, mascots from thirty-three of the country's forty-seven prefectures joined the celebration, including the dancing cat Shimanekko from Shimane Prefecture, whose performance drew cheers from the audience. Among the festival-goers was Megumi Saitō, who had travelled from Tsu in Mie Prefecture . She said seeing so many mascots together was always a joy, adding that the event never failed to lift her mood.
english.kyodonews.net
Hikonyan's gentle, playful character helped ignite a nationwide affection for yuru-kyara (ゆるキャラ), a term used for Japan's clumsy and soft-hearted mascots. Organisers said the festival began in 2008 as a way to draw visitors to the area and has continued nearly every year since, apart from a brief pause during the pandemic. Almost 80,000 people came over the two days last year, they noted.
This year, mascots from thirty-three of the country's forty-seven prefectures joined the celebration, including the dancing cat Shimanekko from Shimane Prefecture, whose performance drew cheers from the audience. Among the festival-goers was Megumi Saitō, who had travelled from Tsu in Mie Prefecture . She said seeing so many mascots together was always a joy, adding that the event never failed to lift her mood.
Over 100 mascots gather in western Japan to pitch local charms
More than 100 mascots promoting the charms of their local regions gathered on Saturday for a festival in the western Japan prefecture of Shiga.
