Going to Mikyan's parade: part 1

[Introduction]

I took a day-trip to Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, to see Mican’s parade, which was held in commemoration of winning the second place in the Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2015 (see the related article). Although the air ticket between Tokyo and Matsuyama was not so cheap, I had no regrets as a huge fan of Mican 🙂

[Visit Date]
2015.11.29

[Main Part]

Going to Matsuyama

I arrived at Tokyo Haneda airport.

Coincidentally, a fair about Ehime Prefecture was held at the airport.

Now I arrived at Matsuyama airport.

At the airport, I bought “ALL IYOTETSU 1Day Pass”, which gave me unlimited ride for bus and trains around Matsuyama city.

The parade would start in the afternoon, so I just went around the city. First, I visited the Ehime prefectural government’s office.

There was a banner to celebrate the second place.

There also a special car dedicated for Mican, which was provided by Toyota car dealers in Ehime.

The license plate number was 1111, which came from Mican’s birthday (November 11).

After I left the prefectural government’s office, I joined a queue to buy “Kiri-no-mori Daifuku”.

I also stopped by a souvenir shop and had a mandarin orange juice.

Then, I had a lunch.

Fan event at Matsuyama Mitsukoshi

After lunch, I moved to Matsuyama Mitsukoshi, which was starting point of the parade. Before the parade began, there was a fan event there.

Mican appeared surrounded by applause.

EMican and Matsudai Mican, who were the related characters of Mican, also appeared.

There was a brass band performance conducted by Matsudai Mican.

Greeting from Mican.

Mican also performed a dance.

After the dance, an evil character showed up.

In addition, Dark Mican, who was the rival of Mican, appeared.

Then, Matsuya-man, who was a white-hat character, appeared.

He beat the enemy.

Mican also drove away Dark Mican.

Right after this, however, every character gathered.

Now was the time for audience to take photos.

Although Dark Mican was an evil character, he was popular.

Mican via an audience’s smart phone camera.

Award certificate for the second place.

Hand-made medal.

Happi coat staff members wore.

Banners.

Before the parade started, the governor of Ehime prefecture had a speech.

Commerable photos.

The governor talked about Dark Mican.

Next year, Ehime Prefecture will host Yuru-chara Grand Prix and the governor mentioned Mican will focus on entertaining visitors, so Mican will not attend the race.