Inside Japan’s BIGGEST Mascot Festival – World Character Summit Hanyū
Today we are heading to the “14th World Character Summit in Hanyū”. In Japan – city, prefecture or company mascots are known as Yuru-Kyara. In 2013 there were 376 different mascots, earning a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of mascots. Hanyū, Saitama, is about a 100-minute train ride from Shinjuku, Tokyo. Hanyū was known for its indigo in the Edo period. Inside the station, we can already find information on how to get to the event. We also found the first mascot, who educates visitors about indigo dyeing techniques and indigo shades. The statues of Mujina-mon and Igaman-chan — the two mascots of Hanyū. There is a small stamp rally, complete it, to receive a small gift. The stamps feature Mujina-mon and Igaman-chan. It is just before 10:00, and the crowd is already growing at Hanyū City Hall. The event has begun, and the stage is filling up with celebrities such as Fūnya & Mumuya from Oyama City. Shimanekko from Shimane Prefecture, Kyūbii from Nasu Town. Hanepyon from Ōta Ward, Tokyo, and many more! Sugar Devil-chan followed by Sugar Love-chan – representatives from Yao City and Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. Yagapii, a green bird, is the mascot of Yagan Railway in Tochigi and Fukushima Prefectures. Tochisuke – a warehouse fairy from Tochigi City. Isshōkenmei! Inunakin and Yuru Nakin from Izumisano, Osaka. The three mascots from Gunma Prefecture: Gunma-chan, Aoma, and Mii-mi. Risonya – the mascot of the Resona Group. Kasumigaunya – mascot of Kasumigaura, Ibaraki. Tappy from Taiwan. Yui Omoigawa — mascot of Denshagokko 1185 from Oyama, Tochigi. Gura – a gray cat from Hong Kong. Iwashika – mascot of Iwashita’s New Ginger (a pickled ginger brand) from Tochigi City. Potekuma-kun – mascot of Chichibu, Saitama. Kirara-chan — the Tourism Ambassador of Kyōtanabe, Kyoto. Unari-kun – Special Tourism Ambassador of Narita, Chiba. Mikyan serves as the Special PR Vice Governor of Ehime Prefecture. Joyonpu – the official mascot of JOYSOUND, the karaoke brand. Issē from Kiso, Nagano and Tomachan from Kitamoto, Saitama. Yuzugappa from Kitō, Tokushima. Shinjō-kun is a mascot star from Susaki City and the former partner of Chiitan. Kobaton – the official mascot of Saitama Prefecture. Kyabetsu-san from Nishitokyo, Tokyo. Urawaru — mascot of Urawa Racecourse, Saitama City. Tanumi-chan – tanuki mascot of Komatsushima, Tokushima. Inappy – mascot of Inazawa, Aichi. Mino-Wan – mascot of Minobu, Yamanashi. Jin-kun – mascot of Genghis Khan (Jingisukan) dish from Hokkaido. Yōku-chan – mascot of Tokachi Nomu Yogurt from Hanyū, Saitama. Koapyon – mascot of Kamikoani, Akita. Nyajirō – mascot from Akita City. Kyapikuru from Adachi Ward, Tokyo. Okebanba-kun, the PR ambassador of Oketo, Hokkaido. Choruru — Head of PR for Yamaguchi. Matagi no Momiji-chan from Hokkaido – a hunter who hunts hunters and always carries a gun. So much fluffiness in one place! Manati – mascot of NEXCO East from Kazo, Saitama. Ninjaemon — mascot of Kōka, Shiga. Itakuran – mascot of Itakura, Gunma. Kyuporan from Kawaguchi, Saitama. Onomichi Nyamon – the lemon cat mascot from Onomichi, Hiroshima. Ariake Gatagorō – the Ariake Sea mudskipper mascot from Saga. Yoyona – mascot of the BS Fuji “Yonayona Project” Odaiba, Tokyo. Tsuchimaru – mascot of Tsuchiura, Ibaraki. Fu-chan & Ji-chan – mascots of Fuji Yakuhin from Saitama City. Kikuchikun — mascot of Kikuchi, Kumamoto. Takatanoyume-chan — mascot of Rikuzentakata, Iwate. Midomosu – the mammoth mascot of Midori, Gunma. Toby-kun – mascot of Hagi-Iwami Airport, Shimane (left);
Konyūdō-kun – mascot of Yokkaichi, Mie (right). If you ever wondered what a party of fluffy mascots would look like, here is your answer. “Hello!! Hanyū☆Hanyū” is the official theme song for the World Character Summit in Hanyū, with lyrics by Hideki Sakuma and music composed by Yōsuke Ishida. Ishida-san and Sakuma-san attend the event every year to perform this theme song. Like this video? Tap like to support the channel. Tsurugon – from Tsurugashima, Saitama. They’re all so cute! Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments. Kumobii — mascot of KINTO Technologies from Nagoya, Aichi. Mitsudon — an apple fairy from Iizuna, Nagano. Aloha Gas Company is promoting its mascot Paipuru-kun. Paipuru-kun was born in Hawaii and loves to play pranks. He is 5 years old, and for some reason he stopped aging. Every character has its own booth, where they sell merchandise or educate visitors about the city or company they represent. Gata-chan, Udon Fairy Sanudon, and Nyaachan getting ready to perform. The goal of this song is to motivate Nyaachan to work out and get into shape. When it comes to muscles, they need the help of Inunakin. With the group assembled, it is showtime! It is working! Nyaachan is starting to do squats. Sanudon represents Kagawa Prefecture, the prefecture often called “Udon Prefecture.” Nyaacha the drooling cat is from Iruma, Saitama. Nyaacha loves Udon and Sayama Tea. Osaki Ichiban from Shinagawa, Tokyo, is busy writing autographs and messages for his fans. The host Mujinamon from Hanyū, Saitama, is waiting patiently for Yoyona, who is giving an interview. Nagomi Shibakko (left) and Kirara-chan (right) from Kyoto performing the song “Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka?” from CUTIE STREET. Nagomi Shibakko is from Arashiyama, Kyoto. He is a fan of sword fighting and special effects. Kirara-chan is from Kyotanabe, Kyoto. She loves dancing and being cute. Soon the event will be finished. Funassyi from Funabashi, Chiba (left), Koakkuma from Hokkaido (right). It is truly a fun event — we are looking forward to next year. Maybe Kumamon or Chiitan will show up. Funagoroo from Funabashi, Chiba. Hapi and Rabu-kun from Taito Ward, Tokyo, seem to have a Demon Slayer–themed sketch coming up. One last photo shoot before heading to bed. Sakai Hoyamaru-chan, Nyaacha, and Takatanoyume-chan solving a murder mystery. All three drank poisoned tea. With their last bit of energy, they write their suspicions on a piece of paper. Nyaacha-chan suspects Takatanoyume-chan!!
The World Character Summit in Hanyū is back! This year, it was held on November 15–16. Hey Japan! joined the fun on the first day, November 15, to explore all the amazing characters!
#japan #mascot #cute #saitama #hanyu
——
Website: https://www.hey-japan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsheyjapan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsheyjapan/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@itsheyjapan
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsheyjapan
X: https://x.com/itsheyjapan
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hey-japan.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/Wn9F9m4wSH