What exactly is the "Sumikkomachi Collaboration"?

Sumikkomachi" is the name of a prefecture or a specific area, or a place or an area with "Sumi" in its name. Sumikko-machi" is a town that has a big smile and is connected to other Sumikko. This is a project to commemorate the 10th anniversary of "Sumikko Gurashi," with the hope that "Sumikko" will connect with each other to create a big circle of smiles.

In addition to Wakkanai City, Kurashiki City in southern Okayama Prefecture, Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture (the westernmost point of Honshu), Sumida Ward in Tokyo, and the O-"Sumi" Peninsula in southeastern Kagoshima Prefecture were selected as five locations from across Japan to collaborate in this project.

The inspiration for the collaboration came from citizens' voices.

One day, a citizen asked me to apply for the Sumikkomachi Collaboration. I knew about Sumikko Gurashi, but I didn't know about this project, so I was surprised.

Ms. Rina Fukuhara of the Tourism Exchange Division of the Wakkanai City Office spoke to us.

I thought that if we could collaborate with a character that is loved by children and adults alike, we would be able to spread the charms of Wakkanai City, the top of Japan, to Sumikko fans not only in Wakkanai City but all over the country. He applied for the contest.

The project received a large number of applications and the selection process was highly competitive, so he was very anxious until he found out the result, but he was chosen. The reason for this was that "everyone recognizes that we are the Northern Sumiko of Hokkaido."

The decision to collaborate with Sumikko Gurashi quickly became a hot topic among citizens, and not only those who originally loved Sumikko Gurashi but also those who had never heard of it expressed their joy.

The hashtag "Sumikatsu" (not "Sumikatsu" as in "guessing activity") has become a popular topic on social networking sites, and fans from all over Japan are visiting the northernmost city in Japan.

Various events enliven Wakkanai!

For this collaboration, PR posters were displayed at four "Sumikko Stations" located in the east, west, south, and north of Japan (*currently closed). JR Wakkanai Station was chosen as the Sumikko Station in the north, and the tweet introducing it received approximately 5,000 responses.

On November 28, 2022, the "Sumikkomachi Certificate Awarding Ceremony" was held at Wakkanai Sub Port Market, where "Neko," who became the Sumikkomachi PR Ambassador, presented the "Sumikkomachi Certificate" to Mr. Shinya Nakata, Chairman of Wakkanai Tourism Revitalization Promotion Council.

In addition, children from Wakkanai Hikari Kindergarten and Kirakira Nursery School presented the "cat" with a "tear-off picture" of the cat and "fish," the cat's favorite food. A video of the event can be viewed on the official Instagram ( @japan.go.wakkanai ) of the Wakkanai City Tourism Exchange Division.

The posters have been posted around the city and have also been used as photo spots. Collaborative events are still being planned. A new announcement will be made soon, so keep an eye out for new information.