I went to the ゆるキャラ festival yesterday on Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road (Google Map) in Hikone. I’m not a fan of mascot characters, but I wanted to see the spectacle of so many people gathered to see over 40 mascots walking around. It was a very successful event. I’m sure Hikone will want to hold this festival every year.

Video link: http://youtu.be/GqTco0H16uM

Photos: https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=584

The Castle Road was a great place for the mascot festival. It’s a nice wide road with wide sidewalks. There are shops and places to eat. If you have children, it’s a great event for them. You could take pictures together with the soft and furry mascots. Unfortunately, and strangely, Hiko-nyan did not walk around for us to photograph. It only appeared on stage.

By far, the most popular mascot was Sento-kun (see photo) for Nara’s 1300th anniversary. He is a young boy priest with deer antlers on his head. He was a controversial mascot since people thought the antlers on his head was insulting to Buddhist priests. Well, this controversy has ironically made this mascot the most popular and famous. Look at the first photo of the huge crowd watching Sento-kun on stage. Crazy!

I wonder how those people inside the mascot costume can see outside. I guess they cannot see outside, but many of them look like they can see outside somehow. And how can they breathe while inside?? It must be so hot to be inside it.

All I can say is, the Japanese love nyan-ko cats. Lot of cat mascots around. With the success of Hiko-nyan, I think all of Shiga’s cities and towns should create their own mascot.

P.S. Spo-rec’s Caffy made his last public appearance there. I asked if they will continue to use Caffy, but they said no.

Update: Caffy is now Shiga’s sports mascot.