Among the many mascots throughout Hokkaido, Iwanai's "Taramaru" has long been a respected and popular figure. This time, we'll unravel the story behind Taramaru!

Modeled after a walleye pollock, with cod roe lips and asparagus in hand... Taramaru's appearance strongly reflects the local specialties. After all, Iwanai Town is the birthplace of longline fishing for walleye pollock, and the Iwanai tarako (cod roe) made from its eggs is top-quality. Furthermore, Iwanai is also the birthplace of asparagus cultivation in Japan.

Looking at Taramaru's official profile, we find that he is male, his official address is 7.8 km off the coast of Iwanai Town at a depth of 300m, and he has a twin sister named "Beniko" and a much younger brother named "Pinsuke." The surprisingly detailed backstory is one thing, but what's truly unbelievable is his date of birth. It's August 9, 1985.

Taramaru is much older than he looks. This must mean he has been loved by the locals for a very long time. If you're charmed by Taramaru, a visit to the "Michi-no-Eki Iwanai" (Roadside Station Iwanai) is highly recommended. The tourist information center is in the same building, which is aptly named the "Taramaru Kan" (Taramaru Hall).

Inside, you'll find a cute statue of Taramaru. It's the perfect spot to snap a photo with him. The roadside station also sells a wide variety of merchandise. Taramaru himself showed us the best-selling items.

The most popular item is the "Taramaru Plush Toy" (1,300 yen, tax included). Many people also buy it as a set with his twin sister's "Beniko Plush Toy" (1,300 yen, tax included). Hmm, getting them as a set might just double the cuteness!

The next most popular item is the "Taramaru Senbei" (rice crackers) (540 yen, tax included). These would make a great souvenir. The paper bag, featuring illustrations of Taramaru, Beniko, and Pinsuke, is so cute you'll want to keep it.

His special skills are sumo wrestling and snowboarding. His hobbies include playing with children, appearing on TV, and relaxing in the town's hot springs... Taramaru seems to lead a pretty active life.

You can spot this character in various places throughout Iwanai Town, so be sure to keep an eye out for him when you visit!