Harima and Yabashi sing and dance to their original song.
3:53 PM JST, June 22, 2024
KOCHI – Harima and Yabashi, mascot characters advertising Kochi’s famous Harimaya Bridge from which their names are derived, have started singing and dancing at events to raise awareness among children about disaster prevention.
Harima and Yabashi were created by Hitoshi Shimoo, 55, who runs a local cafe, and Yuya Okanoue, 36, to promote the Harimaya Bridge (Harimayabashi in Japanese), a landmark that ranks alongside the Sapporo Clock as one of the most is considered disappointing in Japan. Tower and Dutch Slope in Nagasaki.
The mascots have become popular since their debut in January 2023, despite their somewhat creepy appearance.
Their song teaches children that if there is an earthquake: “listen to your teacher,” “don’t push others,” “don’t run,” “don’t talk,” and “don’t go back after evacuation.” Shimoo wrote the lyrics. The choreography was devised by both of them together. They recorded the song, which is available as a CD in Shimoo’s café.
Harima and Yabashi took second place in the Kimo Chara Grand Prix in Shiga Prefecture, a competition between the more unusual local characters from around the country in April.
They are expanding their operations after often being invited to events in Kochi and neighboring Nankoku, and appearing in a TV commercial to encourage people to undergo a health check.
