By YUSUKE NODA/ Staff Writer
June 13, 2024 at 07:00 JST
AOMORI—A sticker that offers a message about cleanliness has gone from a freebie to a must-have item among bathing enthusiasts.
Yui Mikami, 33, who works at the Aomori prefectural government’s tourism policy division, came up with the idea for the sticker that says “bathing tools in car” to highlight the culture in the northern prefecture.
Aomori Prefecture led the nation with 22.9 public bathhouses per 100,000 people in fiscal 2020, according to the internal affairs ministry.
With bathing facilities and hot springs being such a large part of people’s lives there, many motorists prepare a complete set of shampoo bottles, body soap, towels and other hygiene essentials in their vehicles.
Measuring 12 centimeters by 12 cm, the black sticker designed by Mikami features a yellow figure shaped like Aomori Prefecture, as well as a bath pail with a shampoo container, a body brush and other items.
Toward the end of last year, 750 copies of the prototype design were sent for free to bathhouses in Aomori Prefecture.
After they were quickly snapped up, the prefectural government was flooded with inquiries from citizens who wanted to buy the sticker.
A bathhouse operator proposed commercializing the sticker, and the merchandise was put on sale in March.
“I would like people both in and outside Japan to notice the culture among Aomori Prefecture residents who love bathing the most nationwide,” Mikami said. “I expect more people will become aware of our prefecture via the sticker and come all the way here.”
Priced at 450 yen ($2.90), including tax, the sticker was available at 30 bathing and other establishments in Aomori Prefecture as of April 25.
For more details, such as which facilities handle the sticker, check the prefecture’s official X account Marugoto Aomori at (@marugotoaomori).
The Aomori Machinaka Onsen bathhouse in Aomori city offers a “sticker discount” of 30 yen off the bathing fee for visitors whose automobiles carry the special label.
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This car sticker is popular in Aomori Prefecture. (Provided by Aomori Prefecture)
