Local mascot characters including Kokura Yaki-udon Kenkyujo’s “Daruma-chan” and Miyawaka City’s (Fukuoka prefecture) “Oidashi Neko Sakura” (a mascot to ward off disaster) were also out in force. We were even lucky enough to meet Shimane prefecture’s official “Shimane Super Ambassador,” aka, Yoshida-kun from the anime “Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume” (Eagle Talon), who was inside the Annex of the West Japan General Exhibition Center.