GW中の『大阪・関西万博』おススメのお土産…何を買ってる？ 東海地方ゆかりの商品から“ミャクミャク”のグッズまで

The Osaka-Kansai Expo was bustling with visitors on Children's Day, May 5th, in the middle of Golden Week. Many people were seen shopping for souvenirs from early in the morning. (From Kanagawa) "I bought some souvenirs. (Q: Isn't it too early to buy them?) I thought it would be crowded if I bought them on my way out, so I decided to buy them first." (Reporter Ohno) "It's just after 9:00 AM. The entrance gates have just opened, but the store is already bustling with people." This is the official Kintetsu store near the West Gate. They sell approximately 2,000 different products, about 300 of which are limited editions that can only be purchased here. There's also an official store like this near the East Gate! (Anchorman Kunihiko Oishi) "Fuwa Fuwa!" Maruzen Junkudo's official store. As we've previously reported in Chant!, each store stocks its own unique merchandise, which seems to be why visitors rush there first. Now, let's take a look at some of the popular items at the official store near the West Gate! What are the popular items at the official store on the West Gate side? (Kintetsu Department Store Public Relations Officer Saeko Tsurukawa) The Miyakumyaku toy capsule, which sold out about a week after the "Most Popular Figure Collection" opened. I also bought one. (Ohno) "Let's open it. Oh!! Miyakumyaku 551 is out!" (Tsurukawa) "It's a figure that allows you to enjoy Miyakumyaku in various costumes." (Yamaguchi) "I'm going to grab this first. I'm so happy." (Osaka) "You can only buy it for the next six months, so get it now." Other items... (Tsurukawa) "A soft vinyl piggy bank. Gold is the exclusive color for the Kintetsu Official Store." The gold "soft vinyl piggy bank" costs 8,800 yen. The reason it suddenly became a hot topic was... (Tsurukawa) "After it was reported on the news that it was used as a gift for President Trump, it became a huge hit among fans and there was a scramble to get it." While filming, a customer from Aichi Prefecture... (From Toyohashi City) "I asked my friend to buy this. If this one didn't work, I'd buy the next one, and if that didn't work, I'd buy the next one. I came here first. I'm so glad I was able to buy it. Because I was asked to." There were also companies and products well-known in the Tokai region... And there were souvenirs with ties to the Tokai region! (Kintetsu Department Store Public Relations Officer Saeko Tsurukawa) "When you think of Tokai, you think of yokan made by Imuraya." This is "Shoufuku Yokan" (Lucky Yokan) from Imuraya, headquartered in Mie Prefecture, famous for its "Azuki Bar"! (Tsurukawa) "It comes with a fortune-telling slip, so you might find good luck if you buy it." The expiration date is August 2030. It's also perfect as a disaster preparedness food stockpile. Furthermore... (Tsurukawa) "We have a product called an assortment of three types of whey cookies. They use pearl salt, which is typical of Mie Prefecture, and tea, which is typical of Ise. Cookies made with sencha and roasted green tea." Limited-edition cookies made with ingredients unique to Mie Prefecture are also available. (Tsurukawa) "We have stores in the Tokai region, such as the Nagoya and Yokkaichi branches (of Kintetsu Department Stores), so we hope to leverage the connections we've built there to introduce the best products from the Tokai region at the Expo." Next door is the JR West Group official store. Asked about popular items there, too... There's also a unique cup noodle that lets you enjoy two flavors in one. (Yuichi Hirai, JR West Group, Official Store at the venue) "This is a souvenir assortment of Japanese sweets that Myaku Myaku travels through. You can choose two items in each box, for a total of eight items." This assortment includes a selection of Japan's most famous sweets... Aichi's signature shrimp crackers, "Sakakaku no Yukari," are also included in the lineup! Other interesting items include... (Hirai): "This is an interesting cup ramen with a soy sauce base, but when you add liquid soup, it turns into a miso flavor." Ah, this cup noodle lets you enjoy both soy sauce and miso flavors in one. (Hirai): "The inspiration for this was that Miyakumyaku are also water fairies, and they can transform into various things." All of these items are exclusive to the JR West Group West Gate store. (From Hiroshima): "As you look at them, you'll find yourself asking, 'Buy, Buy, Buy.' I'm most looking forward to the souvenirs." (Hirai): "There are four official shops (inside the venue), each with its own unique character. You'll never get bored even if you visit all four. They're run by different companies, so each one has its own unique flavor." And there are also some unique Miyakumyaku goods... (Ohno): "There are long lines at this official store." Try your luck! Miyakumyaku stuffed animal lottery. This is Maruzen's official store, located near the Japan Pavilion. The "Myakumyaku Plush Toy Lottery" is proving popular. For ¥2,200 per turn,...