Mascots from around the world a huge hit at Osaka Expo

The Mainichi

5 days ago

OSAKA -- Unique mascot characters from various countries are proving to be a big hit at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Many pavilions offer scheduled photo opportunities with their mascots, who shake hands and give hugs to fans. The characters are working hard to appeal to visitors in Japan, where the culture of "yuru-chara" or laid-back characters, has taken root.
At the center of a crowd in front of the Germany Pavilion was Circular, a round-shaped mascot. Its soft and bouncy texture makes it especially endearing. The theme of the Germany Pavilion is the circular economy, and the mascot was inspired by Japan's "kawaii culture." A woman visiting from the city of Osaka said, "I'm happy they understand Japanese culture."
At the Czechia Pavilion, visitors were greeted by Rene, a multi-eyed character and a friend of the event's official mascot, Myaku-Myaku. Possibly due to its slightly eccentric design, many people were seen taking photos from a distance.
Over at the Singapore Pavilion, people were welcomed by Merli, the mascot of the Singapore Tourism Board. A spokesperson explained, "He's a boy character inspired by Merlion, which is also well known in Japan. He appears in front of the pavilion three times a day."
When asked about the Canada Pavilion's mascot Parka, a staff member explained, "You can only meet her on special days." That rarity seems to be part of the appeal.
After spending about four hours exploring the venue, this Mainichi Shimbun reporter spotted four mascots in total, including Myaku-Myaku. Since each pavilion generally has set appearance times for these characters, visitors are recommended to check ahead and plan if they want to meet them.
(Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department)