Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has arranged a special birthday bash for Kumamon, its nationally and internationally beloved official mascot, "Kumamon Birthday Festival 2023 -- Welcome to Kumamon Land, The Great Kumamon Festival". The two-day event takes place March 11-12 from 10am to 5pm at two venues -- Hanabata Hiroba Square along with Kumamon's main base of activity, Kumamon Square -- with Kumamon serving as the event's executive director.
For Thai travellers planning a visit to Japan next month, it's a great opportunity to attend a matsuri or traditional Japanese festival.
The stage event at Hanabata Hiroba Square will feature a fashion show, Mon Collection, featuring Kumamon and special guests; a participatory Kumamon Challenge; a happy birthday segment; and a collaborative performance with popular children's music performers Keropons.
According to Kumamon, many more surprises are in store for the event including special guest appearances by Hinokuni Kumamoto Mask, a masked wrestler rumoured to be a friend of Kumamon, as well as Kumamoto Castle historical reenactors Omotenashi Bushotai. Other guests include Gunma-chan, director of the Gunma Prefecture Advertising Department and Shimane Prefecture's tourism mascot, Shimanekko. The event promises to be a great time for children and adults alike with a variety of stalls, a kids' square, and section with Kumamon-themed gourmet food and products from Kumamoto Prefecture. Over at the Kumamon Square venue, the event "Hapiba! Kumamon 2023" will include as part of birthday celebrations a photo session and high-fives with Kumamon.
For fans who can't wait for the March 11-12 festival, there's also "Kumamon Birthday Festival Week Project" at Kumamon Square in addition to other venues in the city from March 4-10. Details of this project will be announced on the official website of the Kumamon Birthday Festival 2023.
Visit Kumamon-sq.jp/birthday2023 or Kumamon-land.jp.
