Japanese Mascots

Sudachi-kun is the mascot of the 22nd National Cultural Festival, held in Tokushima in 2007. His profile is here, there are wallpapers to download here and some photos here. Sudachi-kun’s name in Japanese is すだちくん.

Sunny-chan is the mascot of the Sun Festa 2007 festival, staged by Siebold University, Nagasaki. Her profile is here. Sunny-chan’s name in Japanese is サニーちゃん.

Fuwaly is the mascot of the 2008 Saga International Balloon Festa, to be held in Saga prefecture at the end of October 2008. His profile is here. Fuwaly’s name in Japanese is ふわり.

Chi-ba-kun is the mascot of the 65th National Sports Festival and the 10th National Sports Games for the Disabled, which will be staged in Chiba prefecture in 2010. A small web page is here and Chi-ba-kun’s blog is here. His name in Japanese is チーバくん.

Torimo is the mascot of the Beef Olympics fair, held in October 2007 in Tottori prefecture. 6706 members of the public suggested names for the character to the organising committee. There is some Torimo merchandise here. His name in Japanese is とりモー.

Kiccoro and Morizo were the mascots of the 2005 World Expo in Aichi prefecture. Kiccoro the Forest Child is full of energy. Morizo is an easy-going and kind old man. There is a profile here and lots of photos here. Kiccoro’s name in Japanese is キッコロ. Morizo’s name in Japanese is モリゾー.

Tanemaru is the mascot of the 150th anniversary of Yokohama port, which will take place in 2009. His website is here. Tanemaru’s name in Japanese is たねまる.

Lappy is the mascot of the 12th International Animation Festival in Japan, to be held in Hiroshima in August 2008. His name commemorates the main themes of the festival, “Love & Peace” and “Happy”. Lappy’s profile is here and his name in Japanese is ラッピー.

Sento-kun is the mascot of the 1,300th Anniversary of the Heijo-kyo capital in what is now the city of Nara, which will take place in 2010. His name was chosen from more than 14,000 suggestions, although the design has been controversial: it combines the Buddhist monks and the deer for which the area is famous, but many people have commented that the resulting character is not cute. Sento-kun’s profile is here and his name in Japanese is せんとくん.

Higomaru is the mascot of Kumamoto Castle’s 400th anniversary, which was celebrated in 2007. There is a Youtube clip of him here. Higomaru’s name in Japanese is ひごまる.

Hikonyan is the mascot of the 400th aniversary celebrations at Hikone Castle in Shiga prefecture. His hobby is walking and he likes eating meat and fish. Hikonyan’s profile is here and there are lots of photos here. His name in Japanese is ひこにゃん. The Yahoo Japan News site reported in April 2008 that visitor numbers at Hikone Castle are 60% higher than they were ten years ago, with the very popular Hikonyan believed to be largely responsible for the increase.