Do you know "Kappon" who is the PR captain of Jozankei Onsen? If you have visited Jozankei, you may have seen him at least once. This time, we met up with Kappon to find out more about his true identity!

The meeting place with Kapon was on the Tsukimi Bridge. As I headed there, I saw a back figure that looked like him... "Excuse me, are you Kapon-san? He turned around and bowed politely. So you have a plate on your head.

Kappondapon!" and cheerfully showing us his name tag, Kappon has been appointed as the Jozankei Onsen PR captain since 2012. At the same time, he has been issued a special certificate of residence by the mayor of Sapporo Minami Ward.

In the name column of the special certificate of residence, it is written "Jozan Kappa Kochibei" (定山河童小吉兵衛). Kappon is a nickname, and in fact, he even had a real name!

And what is interesting is the tub wrapped around his waist. This is a tub that one day Kappon was playing with a tub that had washed up in the Toyohira River, and with a loud "kappon~n" sound, his body got stuck in it and he couldn't get out. It is very convenient for taking a bath in a hot spring! He told me that he always has a bucket and a towel with him and spends every day in the hot spring.

Kakapon-approved goods are sold at the Jozankei Bussan Kan near Tsukimibashi Bridge, hotel stores, and souvenir stores. The Jozankei Tourist Association also has a large selection of official goods, totaling more than 40 kinds!

The most popular official goods are the "Gauze Tenugui" (660 yen including tax), which is well known for its material and comfortable feel on the skin. Please check it out if you are interested!

Kappon loves to relax, soak in hot springs, and gaze at the mountains of Jozankei. In November 2021, Kappon became a Minami-ku supporting character to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Minami-ku's ward system. Kappon is expected to be more and more active in the future, so please pay attention to him!

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Jozankei Tourist Association
Location: Jozankei Onsen Higashi 3-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Contact: 011-598-2012
Official website: https://jozankei.jp/

Jozankei Bussan Kan Co.
Location: Jozankei Onsen Nishi 4-chome, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Contact: 011-598-2178
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Official website: http: //www.j-bussankan.co.jp/