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Aichi city throws year-long 20th birthday bash for giant beckoning cat statue, Hello Kitty invited

Krista Rogers 2 days ago
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The 20th birthday of a local legend calls for collaborations with Hello Kitty, Chubu Centrair International Airport, and 15 local businesses.

March 28, 2027 will mark 20 years to the day when the city of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture erected a giant manekineko (beckoning cat) statue affectionately named Tokonyan. At 3.8 meters (4.2 yards) tall and 6.3 meters wide, Tokonyan is a popular photo spot near the entrance to the Pottery Footpath (Yakimono Sanpomichi), a local sightseeing spot that highlights the city’s rich pottery heritage and traditional Tokoname ware along with historical kilns, brick chimneys, and other related landmarks. Birthday celebrations are already underway as the city has dubbed the time between August 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027 as Tokonyan’s 20th Anniversary Year.

Such a big birthday milestone calls for special party favors, and thankfully some big names have signed on for the haul. As of August 1, three collaborative goods with Sanrio star Hello Kitty are being sold at the Tokoname Tourism Association.

▼ Felines unite!

▼ Embroidered towel / 660 yen (US$4.19)

▼ Acrylic keychain / 660 yen

▼ Sticker / 550 yen

In addition, beginning on August 15, collaborative merch with the nearby Chubu Centrair International Airport will also make their debut at the Association.

▼ The airport’s own mascot is called “Mysterious Traveler Fu.”

▼ Clear folder / 550 yen

▼ Magnet / 550 yen

▼ Sticker / 440 yen

What’s probably the biggest sign of Tokoname’s love for Tokonyan, however, is the fact that 15 local businesses are also offering limited-time collaborative menus and products (pictured below) for the duration of the year-long celebration.

▼ Products include Tokonyan-themed cream bread, parfaits, and cider, to name just a few.

Finally, visitors can snap a special photo next to an illuminated Tokonyan during two specified timeframes: December 18-25 (100 days before its birthday) and March 19-April 4 (its birthday week).

▼ Any photo taken then will become a special keepsake for sure.

As an extra bonus, a social media campaign will also begin on February 22 (Cat Day in Japan) and last through April 30, during which time users can follow Tokoname Tourism Association’s official Instagram or X/Twitter accounts and post a message celebrating the anniversary using hashtag ＃とこにゃん20周年. They’ll then automatically be entered into a lottery to win some fantastic prizes such as Tokonyan merch or local Tokoname specialty products.

It’s hard to imagine that there’s any other place in Japan that loves its local manekineko just as much–but we’ve got a strong contender.

Store information
Tokoname Tourism Association / とこなめ観光協会
Address: Aichi-ken, Tokoname-shi, Sakae-machi 3-8
愛知県常滑市栄町 3-8
Store open: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Website

Source, images: PR Times
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