Japanese Mascots

Mr ETC is the mascot of the Metropolitan Expressway Company, a road management corporation based in Tokyo. His website is here and a blog is here. Mr ETC’s name in Japanese is Mr ETC.

Notodon is the mascot of a campaign to encourage tourists to visit the Noto peninsula area of Ishikawa prefecture. A small profile is here. Honorin’s name in Japanese is のとドン.

WayWay is the mascot of NEXCO West Japan, the West Nippon Expressway Company, which operates expressways and toll roads. WayWay’s name in Japanese is ウェイウェイ.

KomaQ is the mascot of Komatsu Airport, Ishikawa prefecture. His profile is here. KomaQ’s name in Japanese is こまＱ.

Chikamaru is the mascot of the subway system operated in Fukuoka city by the Fukuoka City Transportation Bureau. His favorite food is potatoes. Chikamaru’s website is here. His name in Japanese is ちかまる.

Peririn and Ogurin are the mascots of the Tourism Association of Yokosuka City, Kanagawa prefecture. Peririn’s design is based on the appearance of Commodore Matthew Perry, who landed in Yokosuka in July 1853. Their profile is here. Peririn’s name in Japanese is ペリリン. Ogurin’s name in Japanese is オグリン.

Buspi- is the mascot of the Hiroshima Bus Festival. His name in Japanese is バスピー.

Yomogi-chan is the mascot of the Rest Sekigahara highway rest stop, Gifu prefecture. His profile is here. Yomogi-chan’s name in Japanese is よもぎちゃん.

Surutto-chan is the mascot of the Surutto public transportation travelcard system, operating in the Kansai region. She is eight years old and her charm point is her green hat. Surutto-chan’s profile is here. Her name in Japanese is スルットちゃん.

Momozukin is the mascot of Japan Rail’s campaign to encourage train travelers to visit Yamanashi prefecture. A short profile is here and some wallpapers are here. Momozukin’s name in Japanese is モモずきん.

Liner-kun is the mascot of the Kobe New Transit train company. There are rumors he may have come from the future. Liner-kun’s profile is here. His name in Japanese is ライナーくん.

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.

Musubimaru is the mascot of the Sendai Miyagi Destination Campaign, to attract visitors to the city of Sendai and to Miyagi prefecture. There is a .pdf file containing details of Musubimaru merchandise here. His name in Japanese is むすび丸.

Saruku-chan is the mascot of Nagasaki Saruku, a campaign devised by Nagasaki Tourist Information Office to encourage visitors to walk around the historical parts of their city. Her profile is here. Saruku-chan’s name in Japanese is さるくちゃん.

Kankun is the mascot of Kansai airport. His profile is here, where there is also a picture of the airport’s kids’ mascot, Booby. Kankun’s name in Japanese is カンクン.