By TOMOHIDE YAMADA/ Staff Writer
October 28, 2019 at 07:00 JST
A sample image of a photo of a cyclist and a character from the “Yowamushi Pedal” anime show, taken with an exclusive app at a sightseeing spot in Wakayama Prefecture (Provided by the Wakayama prefectural government)
WAKAYAMA--Fans of the popular anime “Yowamushi Pedal” (Wimpy pedal) can test their real-life cycling mettle in a quest along routes totaling more than 800 kilometers across Wakayama Prefecture.
And what do they get in return, besides sore feet?
A chance to take pictures with a character from the anime about high school students obsessed with bicycle road racing at five spots that offer some of the most spectacular views in the prefecture.
The prefectural government and its tourism federation joined forces with the animated TV show for the event, which runs until Dec. 31.
The tie-up is part of the Wakayama 800 Mobile Stamp Rally Second Season, a tourism initiative encouraging cyclists to enjoy natural landscapes and visit sightseeing spots in the prefecture.
Fans can take photos with a “Yowamushi Pedal” character by downloading and activating an exclusive camera app on their smartphones and other digital devices.
Each of the five locations—Furobashi bridge in Wakayama; Mount Koyasan’s Chumon gate in Koya; Shirasaki beach in Yura; Engetsuto island in Shirahama; and the Taki no Hai waterfall in Kozagawa—has a different character.
Participants can also collect digital stamps of the mobile stamp rally by scanning QR codes on signs set up at the five scenic spots with their smartphones or other devices.
Those who manage to collect all five stamps can participate in a lottery to win limited “Yowamushi Pedal” items, including posters and plastic file folders.
Event organizers have also produced exclusive posters drawn for the rally and other items showing “Yowamushi Pedal” characters riding their bikes against backdrops of the Nachi no Taki waterfall in Nachi-Katsuura and Tsurushima island in Yura.
For more information, visit the event's official website at (http://mobilerally.wakayama800.jp/).
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