For the first time ever, Happy Ningels will have a booth at the “Yuru Kyara Grand Prix in Egao no Ehime” festivities, with contestants Molly and Eme joining this year’s “final stage” events, held the weekend of November 5^th and 6^th in Shiroyama Park in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture.

Yuru Kyara Grand Prix 2016 brings together yuru kyara (regional and promotional mascots) from throughout Japan for a once-a-year celebration. While the competition is now in its 6^th year, the “final stage” slate of events will be held in Shikoku for the first time ever. The festivities take place in the majestic setting of Shiroyama Park, located at the foot Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama, Ehime.

The “Yuru Kyara Grand Prix 2016 in Egao no Ehime” events will be held over the weekend of November 5th and 6th, with Molly and Eme participating as contestants while promoting the Happy Ningels booth. Final voting for this year’s competition will take place at the Marunouchi Area of Shiroyama Park in Matsuyama, Ehime. After a strong 9th-place showing among Hokkaido entrants in 2015, we hope all our fans will support us again this year.

■What is the Yuru Kyara Grand Prix?

A major annual event, Yuru Kyara Grand Prix brings together mascots—busy in their activities promoting various regions and businesses throughout Japan—to determine the most popular mascot overall. In 2015, 1727 mascots entered the competition, over 50 million votes were cast, and total visitors to the “final stage” events numbered 76,894. (official site: www.yurugp.jp)

Event Details

• Name: Yuru Kyara Grand Prix 2016 in Egao no Ehime
• Dates: Saturday, November 5th–Sunday, November 6th, 2016
• Time: 9 AM–4 PM (both days)
• Venue: Shiroyama Park (Horinouchi Area, Matsuyama)
• Booths for participating mascots, various events, and more
• Admission: \600 for Adults and children 16 and older; \200 for children 12 and younger; free for children of preschool age
• Main Host: Yuru Kyara Grand Prix 2016 in Egao no Ehime Production Committee
• Support from: Yuru Kyara Grand Prix Planning Committee

For more information, check out the official event website (in Japanese):
http://www.ehime-matsuyama-yurugp.jp/