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Japanese Mascots (Yuru-chara)
This article is to introduce Japanese Mascots called “Yuru-chara”. In Japan, over 4000 “Yuru-chara” promote a place or region. They’re usually cute or funny. Some of them are successful like a movie star. Please see below for more information.
Funassyi
Funassyi has the motif of a pear and is an unofficial mascot created by a citizen of Funabashi city in Chiba Prefecture.
Funassyi has a younger brother called “Funagoro”.
The mascot on the right is called “Funyassyi” (Funassyi’s pet cat).
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Kumamon was created by the government of Kumamoto prefecture. He has a motif of a bear, but actually there are no bears in Kumamoto. It’s just a pun. “Kuma” means “bear” in Japanese. He won the Yuru-chara Grand Prix in 2011.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Sanomaru was created by the government of Sano city in Tochigi Prefecture. He has a motif of a samurai dog with a ramen hat. He also carries “imofurai” (deep-fried fried potato skewer), a typical dish from Sano city. He won the Yuru-chara Grand Prix in 2013.
See here for details. There are many photos in this article.
Gunmachan
Gunmachan was created by the government of Gunma Prefecture. He has a motif of a pony. He won the Yuru-chara Grand Prix in 2014.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Fukkachan was created by the government of Fukaya city in Saitama prefecture. This mascot has a motif of green leeks. This vegetable from Fukaya is a well-known product in Japan.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Nebaarukun
Nebaarukun has the motif of “natto” (Japanese food made from fermented soybeans) and was created by a citizen of Ibaraki Prefecture.
He can stretch up like Natto.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Takata no Yumechan
Takata no Yumechan was created by the government of Rikuzentakata city in Iwate Prefecture. She was inspired by a pine tree that survived the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Shinjokun was created by the government of Susaki city in Kochi Prefecture. He has a motif of a Japanese river otter with a Nabeyaki (hot pot) ramen hat. He won the Yuru-chara Grand Prix in 2016.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Hikonyan
Hikonyan was created by the government of Hikone city in Shiga Prefecture. He has a motif of cat and is inspired by a Japanese Samurai called “Ii Naotaka”. He won the Yuru-chara Grand Prix in 2010.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Japanese Mascots (Yuru-chara) part1
Shimanekko
Shimanekko was created by the government of Shimane Prefecture. This mascot has a motif of a yellow cat. It wears a Taisha-zukuri hat, inspired by the oldest Japanese shrine architecture.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Mikkechan
Mikkechan is a mascot of a shopping street in Hirakata city in Osaka Prefecture. She also has a motif of a cat. She is good at ballet.
To see more photos of cat characters, please check the article below.
Barii-san
Barii-san was created by the government of Imabari city in Ehime prefecture. He has a motif of a chicken. (Imabari is famous for its “Yakitori” (Japanese grilled chicken)). He won the Yuru-chara Grand Prix in 2012.
To see more photos of Barii-san, please check the article below.
Mican
Mican was created by the government of Ehime prefecture. He has a motif of “Mikan” (a type of Japanese orange) and a puppy. This fruit from Ehime is famous in Japan.
To see more photos of Mican, please check the article below.
Jingisukan no Jin-kun
Jingisukan no Jin-kun is a mascot of a workshop called “Artista” in Hokkaido Prefecture. He has a motif of Genghis Khan (Japanese mutton).
To see more photos of Jingisukan no Jin-kun, please check the article below.
Akkuma・Koakkuma
Akkuma (on the right side) is a mascot in Hokkaido prefecture. He has a motif of a bear. He can play guitar with its fluffy fingers. The mascot on the left side is called “Koakkuma”. She is Akkuma’s twin sister.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Melonkuma
Melonkuma is a mascot of Yubari city, also in Hokkaido Prefecture. He has a motif of a bear and a melon. This mascot is a little bit unusual. It is said that there was a terrible bear in Yubari city, who ate many melons from a farmer’s field and ended up becoming like this.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Kaparu is a mascot of Shiki city in Saitama Prefecture. This mascot has a motif of a “kappa”, a fantastic Japanese creature with a turtle shell and a dish filled with water on its head. He won the Yuru-chara Grand Prix in 2018.
Kaparu can also play bass guitar with its fluffy fingers. It’s amazing.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
Koronon
Koronon is a Japanese anti-coronavirus mascot and she hands out free masks in Tokyo. She has a motif of a striped cat.
See below for details. There are many photos in this article.
For More Information
For more information, please take a look at the following articles. Although they’re written in Japanese, you can view many photos. Please enjoy kawaii mascots’ pictures!
This is my favorite video.That’s so funny!
