1.0Live Up Hakubahttps://liveuphakuba.com/jaAdminhttps://liveuphakuba.com/ja/stories/author/admin/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="WArReRVBh3"><a href="https://liveuphakuba.com/ja/stories/the-mascot-magic-behind-japanese-tourism/">The Mascot Magic Behind Japanese Tourism</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://liveuphakuba.com/ja/stories/the-mascot-magic-behind-japanese-tourism/embed/#?secret=WArReRVBh3" width="600" height="338" title="“The Mascot Magic Behind Japanese Tourism” — Live Up Hakuba" data-secret="WArReRVBh3" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://liveuphakuba.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script>https://liveuphakuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-design-6.png19201080Japan has a mascot for almost everything. There are over 3,500 recorded mascots in Japan, representing an array of institutions from public utilities and police departments to local businesses and banks. Not only are these characters cute, they are powerful tools for strengthening tourism. What makes mascots irresistible is their personality. Each comes with a playful backstory linked to local history or cuisine, and many have devoted followings. Kumamon, the black bear from Kumamoto Prefecture, is the poster child of mascot success. His charm has attracted more than 800,000 followers on X, while his merchandise brought in over ¥150 billion in 2019 alone. Closer to home, the Hakuba Valley has […]