"Pukara-chan" —the mascot that symbolizes the friendship between Peru and Japan— was recently
Inspired by the Toro de Pucara (Pucara Bull), "Pukara-chan" collects an expression of Japanese popular culture called "yuru-chara."
It consists of the creation of mascot characters whose objective is to represent the identity and/or values of government institutions, companies, cities, special events, among others.
These Pucara Bulls arrived in Japan in November 2022. They toured the cities of Tokyo, Okinawa, Nagoya, and Fukushima thanks to the exhibition titled "Itinerant Pucara Bull, Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands."
One of them stayed in the Asian country and, thus, became "Pukara-chan."
The Pucara Bull is an important cultural and artistic expression of Peru, typical of southern Puno region.
It is a symbol of Peru's southern Andean identity, which represents protection, happiness, and fertility.