松山にディズニーがやってきた！パレードに市民ら２１万人熱狂「忘れられない思い出になった」【愛媛】 (26/04/06 19:00)

On April 4th, in the heart of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Disney characters made an appearance at the Matsuyama Spring Festival's citizen parade. Announcer Ruri Suzuki: "There they are! Mickey and his friends! The Tokyo Disney Resort Special Parade has begun! Mickey Mouse and his friends are dancing their way towards Chifune Street. This is Ehime, you know." The Tokyo Disney Resort Special Parade was held in Matsuyama for the first time in eight years. As part of the Matsuyama Spring Festival, which took place over two days, April 4th and 5th, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and other Disney characters paraded along approximately one kilometer in the heart of Matsuyama City. The Disney characters, riding on two parade floats, danced to the upbeat music of "Jamboree Mickey!" Announcer Ruri Suzuki: "Mickey Mouse and his friends have arrived near the entrance to Ookaido Street. There are so many people lining the street! The people of Ehime Prefecture are welcoming the Disney characters." According to the city, there were approximately 215,000 spectators that day. Spectators enjoyed taking photos and videos. Spectator: "Our family loves Disney, so as soon as we found out it was happening here, we added it to our plans. We were really worried and kept checking the weather forecast, so we were so happy that it finally stopped raining." Spectator: "I've been a Disney fan for a long time—though it might be presumptuous to call myself a fan. It really felt like Tokyo Disneyland, and I was so happy. I haven't been there with my cousin yet, so it felt like we were at Disney Resort." Spectator: "It's a rare event, so I'm glad the children were so happy. It was fun. It's an unforgettable memory." Visitors were visibly thrilled by the collaboration between Matsuyama city and Mickey Mouse and his friends. Following the citizens' parade was the annual, magnificent "Daimyo Warrior Procession." This year, actor Koji Matoba, active in dramas and stage productions, played the role of Kato Yoshiaki, the first lord of the domain. The procession of 300 people, dressed as samurai warriors in armor, paraded through the shopping district, captivating the spectators. Spectator: "I'm a fan, and it was so cool. Really cool. He was a lord. A true lord." Spectator: "He was riding in that palanquin, wasn't he?" Spectator pair: "The princess passing by was so cute." "The dancers were wearing dazzling costumes and were adorable." The "Daimyo Warrior Procession" was changed from a daytime event to an evening event with the aim of increasing the economic ripple effect on food and lodging businesses. The city plans to evaluate the changes going forward. #Ehime Prefecture #Matsuyama City #Matsuyama Spring Festival #Disney #Disney #Parade #Mickey Mouse #Minnie Mouse #Koji Matoba #Daimyo Warrior Procession