The Gotouchi Character Festival in Susaki is one of Japan’s largest and most famous gatherings of local mascots.

This annual event takes place in the city of Susaki in Kōchi Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku.

It is hosted by Susaki’s own beloved mascot, Shinjo-kun, a river otter who wears a bowl of nabeyaki ramen as a hat.

Around 80 colorful and quirky mascots, known as gotouchi-kyara, travel from all across Japan to participate.

The main attraction is the opportunity to meet these characters, take photos with them, and watch them perform on stage.

The mascots wander through the festival grounds, interacting with fans and promoting their respective hometowns.

There are also numerous stalls selling a huge variety of rare character merchandise, as well as local food from Kōchi and other regions.

The festival is a cheerful, family-friendly, and uniquely Japanese cultural experience.

Dates
- The festival will be held in mid-September.
- The dates are Saturday, September 13th – Sunday, September 14th, 2025.
Time
- The event typically runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm on both days.
Location
- Susaki City Urban Core General Branch area (Kirima Park), Susaki City, Kōchi Prefecture.
Admission
- Entry to the festival is free.
- Merchandise and food are available for purchase.
Please Note
- This is a very popular event, drawing large crowds of mascot fans and families.
- It is always recommended to check official sources before attending.

By Train
- The main access station for the city is Susaki Station.
- JR Dosan Line
  - Take the JR Dosan Line to Susaki Station.
  - The festival venue is a short distance from the station, and shuttle buses are often provided during the event.
By Air
- For travel from other parts of Japan, the nearest airport is Kōchi Ryōma Airport.
- From Kōchi Ryōma Airport (KCZ)
  - Take an airport bus to Kōchi Station.
  - From Kōchi Station, take a JR Dosan Line train to Susaki Station.

Event Summary

location_on Location	Susaki City Kirima Multipurpose Park
map Area	Kochi
category CATEGORY	Cultural

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Gotouchi Character Festival in Susaki