Press Release

– On the same day, the Official Store for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan at Takashimaya Osaka will open.-

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereinafter referred to as “the Association) and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Master License Office (hereinafter referred to as the “2025MLO”) are pleased to announce a collaboration with Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. Official licenced products featuring Hikone City’s mascot Hikonyan and official rival Warunyanko Shogun will go on sale from Saturday 13 April 2024.

The collaboration products feature cute illustrations of the Expo’s official character MYAKU-MYAKU with Hikone City’s mascot Hikonyan, who is well-known not only in the Kansai region but throughout Japan, and the new villain character Warunyanko Shogun, who appears in the Hikonyan picture book Volume 3. The range includes commemorative items such as T-shirts, acrylic key chains, badges, notepads, and clear files. The illustrations were drawn by Hikonyan’s creator Moheron.
An event to celebrate the opening will be held at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Store – Takashimaya Osaka Store, which will open on the same day as the collaboration products launch. In the future, the Association will continue to collaborate with local authorities and characters across the country to make Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan more accessible to the public.

■ Product Overview
　Round magnet clips, ribbon magnets, acrylic charm key holders,  postcards, stickers, notepads, clear files, badges, T-shirts. (Total 29 items)
　*For details, see (separate sheet) Product specifications.
　https://www.expo2025.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/240405_hikonyandesu.pdf　　(Japanese)

▽ Release Date: Saturday 13 April, 2024 (Note: Date of release differs between shops)
▽ Available at:
　[On sale from Saturday 13 April]
　　　●　Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Store – Takashimaya Osaka Store (West Zone, B1F, Takashimaya Osaka Store, 5-1-5 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City).
　　　●　MOHERON STUDIO Hikonyan Shop (1-7-34 Honmachi, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture)
　[On sale from Saturday 20 April]
　　　●　Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Online Store (https://expo2025shop.jp/) (Japanese)
　　　●　Each Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Store

▽ Event to celebrate the opening of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Store – Takashimaya Osaka Store
●　Meet and Greet
　・Date and time: Saturday 13 April 2024, 10:00-10:10
　・Venue: Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Store – Takashimaya Osaka Store (West Zone, B1F, Takashimaya Osaka Store, 5-1-5 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City)
　・Contents: MYAKU-MYAKU, Hikonyan, and Warunyanko Shogun will greet visitors to celebrate the opening.

●　Photo session
　　Date and time: Saturday 13 April 2024
　　1) 12:00-12:30 MYAKU-MYAKU, Hikonyan, and Warunyanko Shogun
　　2) 14:30-15:00 MYAKU-MYAKU, Hikonyan, and Warunyanko Shogun
　　3) 16:00-16:30 MYAKU-MYAKU only　
　Numbered tickets will be distributed to the first 30 groups of visitors 30 minutes before each session at the 6th floor venue.
　Time and performances are subject to change for certain reasons.
　Venue: Rose Patio, 6thFloor of Takashimaya Osaka Store (Takashimaya Osaka Store 6F, 5-1-5 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka)

●　Colouring workshops
　Date and time: Saturday 13 April 2024, 10:00 – 17:00
　Venue: Rose Patio, Takashimaya Osaka Store, 6F (5-1-5 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka)
　Participation fee: Free of charge
　Contents: Visitors can play with a colouring book designed exclusively for this event.

(For reference)
Outline of the Hikonyan Birthday Ceremony Event
Date and time: Saturday, 13 April 2024, 11:00 – 11:30
Venue: Kabukimon, Hikone Castle Museum (1-1, Kinkame-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture)
Content: (1) Presentation of a bouquet of flowers (by II Naotake, Chairman of the Hikonyan Fan Club)
　　　　(2) Appearance of Warunyanko Shogun
　　　　(3) Greetings by the Mayor of Hikone City
　　　　(4) Presentation of birthday cake, etc.
　　　　(5) Appearance of MYAKU-MYAKU

Date and time: Saturday, 13 April 2024, 15:30 – 16:00
Venue: Yonbancho Square (1-7-34 Honmachi, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture)
Contents: Appearance of MYAKU-MYAKU, Hikonyan and Warunyanko Shogun

(Enquiries)
■ Regarding the 2025 MLO, Official Stores, and Officially Licensed Goods
　●　The Expo’s Official Licensed Goods Customer Service Centre
　　　Reception hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and New Year holidays)
　　　Tel: 06-6948-0839
Email: info@expo2025mlo.jp

■ Regarding the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Store – Takashimaya Osaka Store and events to celebrate its opening
　Takashimaya Osaka Store
　Opening hours: 10:00-18:00　
　Telephone number: 06-6631-1101

■ For press and media
・Regarding Official Stores and Officially Licensed Merchandise for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan:
　Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Master Licensing Office “2025MLO” Public Relations Office
　Mail: press@expo2025mlo.jp
　TEL: 03-6821-8789

(Enquiries)　　
Global Communication Department, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Email: globalpr@expo2025.or.jp