Latest news with #OsakaPhotoandVideoDepartment
The Mainichi
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Osaka Expo mascot 'Myaku-Myaku' now popular with visitors
OSAKA -- The official mascot of Expo 2025 in Osaka has become very popular. At first, many people did not like its strange look. Now, visitors often take pictures with the mascot. The mascot's name is "Myaku-Myaku." It is a mysterious character made of cells and water. Myaku-Myaku is everywhere at the event. There is even a special "Myaku-Myaku House" where people can meet a moving Myaku-Myaku. At the Expo, there are also Myaku-Myaku designs on manhole covers, playgrounds, and statues, using its red and blue colors. No one knows exactly what Myaku-Myaku really is. Its form changes often, and right now it looks like a human. People like it because it is strange and interesting. Inside Myaku-Myaku House, one visitor wrote, "I am sorry I first said you looked scary. I really like you now." A 25-year-old Osaka woman said, "I didn't like the mascot at first. But when I saw it moving, I became a fan." Another visitor, 55, from Kobe said, "At first, I wasn't sure about it. But now I think it's cute. I'm not sure why!" Many visitors now enjoy seeing Myaku-Myaku in person. The Osaka Expo will continue for six months. Organizers think about 28 million people will visit. Myaku-Myaku likes meeting people. Maybe the mascot can bring even more visitors to the event. (Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department) Vocabulary mascot: a character or animal used to represent an event or group mysterious: strange, hard to understand cells: very small parts that all living things are made of manhole cover: a round metal cover on roads that leads under the ground organizer: a person or group that plans an event
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- General
- The Mainichi
Retro Japan: Elegant Kobe College architecture designed to influence students
NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo -- Standing in style, Kobe College buildings in this western Japan city were designed to inspire class among its students in the early Showa era (1926-1989), and they still retain their dignity. Passing through the reddish-tiled main gate and ascending a slope, one is greeted by the refined school buildings of Kobe College. The campus harmonizes with its natural surroundings and still retains 12 buildings designed by William Merrell Vories (1880-1964), who left behind many renowned architectural works. Under Vories' design philosophy, which posited that the grace of buildings positively influences students, the college was completed in 1933. Near the center of the campus is the cream-colored Administration Building, constructed in the Spanish Mission style. It is connected via interior corridors to the auditorium and chapel, forming a single structure with three functions. The auditorium features semicircular arch that separates the stage from the seating area, creating a space with a sense of grandeur. The chapel's windows use amber-colored glass, which bathes the interior in golden light. This seems to reflect Vories' architectural spirit aimed at distinguished architecture that nurtures a loving heart. The campus architecture is open to the public several times a year on an irregular basis. During these times, trained students act as "tour meisters" to explain the charm of the buildings. (Japanese original by Maiko Umeda, Osaka Photo and Video Department) * * * The Japanese version of this article was originally published on Feb. 5, 2023. * * * This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
The Mainichi
4 days ago
- The Mainichi
A glimpse into diversity at Osaka Expo: Indonesia Pavilion staff pray toward Mecca
OSAKA -- In a small room within the Indonesia Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Muslim staff members from the country were seen offering prayers in the direction of Mecca, the holy site of Islam, when this reporter visited. In Indonesia, where nearly 90% of the population is Muslim, practitioners of the religion perform prayers five times a day. Its pavilion staff members dedicate about 20 minutes of their break time to prayer. They remain clad in the same attire as when working, with staff IDs hanging around their necks. One 22-year-old staff member who prayed alongside his 35-year-old colleague said that having a prayer room provides peace of mind. The room is equipped with running water for washing the face, hands and feet before worship. The Expo venue has a "Prayer Room" located in the "Forest of Tranquility Zone." It is not designated for a particular religion, and can be used freely for purposes such as prayer and meditation. However, due to the vastness of the Expo site and the time it takes to travel back and forth from each pavilion, staff members usually pray in their own pavilions. But those at the Indonesia Pavilion also use the Prayer Room for collective worship on Fridays. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition says that it does not know how many pavilions have their own prayer rooms. The Expo hosts people with various religions, cultures and languages. Observing their devoted prayers brought a renewed sense of this diversity. (Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department)
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Cute mascots from around the world popular at Osaka Expo 2025
OSAKA -- Many visitors at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, love taking photos with cute and interesting mascot characters from different countries. These mascots are becoming very popular with visitors. In Japan, mascots called "yuru-chara" are well-loved. People like them because they feel friendly and relaxed. In front of Germany's pavilion, visitors met a mascot called Circular. Circular is round, soft and cute. The theme at this Pavilion is "circular economy," and the mascot is based on Japan's "kawaii" (cute) style. One woman from Osaka said, "I am happy they know about Japanese culture." At Czechia's pavilion, there is a mascot called Rene, who has many eyes. Rene looks a little strange. Rene is a friend of Myaku-Myaku, the Expo 2025mascot. People were seen taking photos far away from Rene because he looks unusual. Singapore has a mascot named Merli at their pavilion. Merli comes from the Merlion, a famous symbol of Singapore. Many people in Japan love Merlion. Merli meets visitors three times every day. Canada's mascot is called Parka. But Parka appears only on special days. People say this makes Parka even more popular. At Expo 2025, visitors usually must check carefully about what time mascots will appear. Many mascots only meet visitors at certain times. (Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department) Vocabulary mascot: a friendly character, often a cute animal, person or thing, used to cheer up or interest people. pavilion: a special building at a large event where each country can show its culture or ideas. culture: the ideas, ways of acting, and things special to a group or country. friendly: nice and easy to talk to, makes you feel comfortable. circular economy: a system where things are used again instead of thrown away.
The Mainichi
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Mascots from around the world a huge hit at Osaka Expo
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)
