Yuruchara - Local mascot

There are contests for the top "Yuruchara" in Japan and the following is one of those contests.

 http://gotochi2013.jp/vote/


What is "Yuruchara"?

Yuruchara are mascots created by regional governments to  to promote events, products, tourism and so on. Most characters are based on the local specialty goods, food or sightseeing spots. They are becoming a boom in Japan now.

http://gotochi2013.jp/areavote/

Famous Yuruchara include Kumamon in Kumamoto, Hikonyan in Shiga and Sento-kun in Nara.