Gunma-chan is the mascot of Gunma Prefecture, and first appeared in 1983, created for the National Sports Festival, which was held in the prefecture that year. Despite having been around for almost 40 years, Gunma-chan is eternally 7 years old. The mascot looks like a non-specific woodland creature, but is actually a pony. Gunma-chan looked far more equine in 1983, but has gradually evolved since then.
For 14 years, Gunma-chan has had a gift shop named “Gunma-chan’s House” in Tokyo’s Ginza district, full of Gunma-chan merchandise and other souvenirs from Gunma, but the store finally closed its doors yesterday. I’ve been to Gunma-chan’s house on a few occasions, so I decided to drop by one last time to catch Gunma-chan’s final appearance there on the 28th. Crowds of well-wishers, many in Gunma-chan costumes, gathered at the shop to say goodbye.
Here are some pictures I took yesterday, and on other occasions over the years, at Gunma-chan’s house.
