Kumamon
If you visit Kumamoto you will not fail to see a certain black bear with rosy red cheeks on everything from the buses to your toothpaste. Since his debut in 2010 Kumamon has become the ubiquitous mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture and a national favourite. The cheeky black bear with the rosy red cheeks is found everywhere and on everything.
Did you know you can meet and greet the one and only Kumamon most days at Tsuruya Department store in the city center? Cuter and much cuddlier than Mickey Mouse.
Head to Kumamon Square to find him, however please remember to get there early as they only allow a certain number of people in at once – it’s not unusual to see people already waiting to meet Kumamon an hour or more before he is due to arrive. But don’t worry if you can’t get in as Kumamon makes his entrance through the shop’s large corridor and if you line up there you will get a chance to shake his paw or hug his huge metabolic tummy. Inside Kumamon Square there is a plethora of Kumamon goodies, a post box where you can leave a letter to him, and Kumamon’s office.
Kumamon is hired by the local government to promote Kumamoto and bring happiness wherever he goes.
Take the Kumamon challenge and see how Kumamon’s you can spot in an hour’s stroll through the city centre. Kumamon has not only taken over Kumamoto he is one of the most popular ‘Kyara’ in all Japan and can be found on everything from pencil cases to toilet paper. His popularity has brought about a huge rise in Japanese tourism to the city and there is now even a Kumamon room in the Tsuruya Department Store where you may be able to meet the bear himself! [gmedia id=39]
Click the link to find out more about how to meet Kumamon or visit his office in Kumamon Square .
Kumamon also has his own facebook page where he keeps his fans up to date with what he has been doing and news of Kumamoto.
He also went viral when photos were published with the caption ‘Why?’ ‘For the glory of Satan of course!’
