To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Junkudo Bookstore’s founding, Maruzen Junkudo Bookstore will release original collaboration merchandise featuring “Myaku Myaku,” the official mascot of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo—which marks its first anniversary since closing—on October 13.
Ahead of the nationwide launch, the “EXPO 2025 Official Pop-Up Store at Azabudai Hills” is open at the “EXPO 2025 Futures Tour” roadshow—which is being held at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo from today through October 11—and is offering products for pre-sale.
We spoke with Shiori Funakoshi of the Planning and Business Team in the company’s Planning and Business Development Department about the unique features and highlights of each item, so let’s take a look at them along with photos of the actual products.
This collaboration features a total of 15 items, including mascots and plush toys wearing Junkudo Bookstore aprons, as well as Tsubame notebooks and ballpoint pens featuring Myaku Myaku enjoying a book—just like in the key visual (three types of bookmarks and the standard ballpoint pen will be available soon).
Each item features a soft color scheme that combines beige—the color of the book covers given to customers who purchase books at Junkudo Bookstore—with the company’s signature green.
The color tones vary slightly from item to item; the milky white book cover (1,650 yen) and the multi-purpose case with a carabiner (935 yen each) feature a green close to emerald, while the 3D Keychain A and B (1,320 yen each) feature Myaku Myaku’s signature vibrant green and beige combination, while the 3D Keychain Clear (1,320 yen each) primarily uses neon colors.
Based on the insights gained from hosting photo sessions and other events at the official store, the plush toys and mascots are said to be meticulously crafted, with particular attention paid to their backs.
For the “Junkudo Bookstore Apron-Wearing Beanbag-Style Plush” (5,500 yen), we collaborated with Heso Production—the manufacturer—to create an apron featuring intricate stitching and pockets, with the fabric’s color and texture reproduced as realistically as possible. The Velcro fastener on the back opens and closes, allowing you to take a close look at Myaku Myaku’s bottom and tail.
The “Mascot with Carabiner” in Normal and Beige (3,740 yen each) features a slightly stylized design that’s brighter and more vivid than the aprons actually worn by staff—in contrast to the plush toys. We’re told the tail is also meticulously crafted, so be sure to lift up the apron to check it out when you purchase one.
In addition, as a bookstore driven by the desire for customers to “use these items as long-term companions for reading,” the store offers an extensive lineup of stationery. Among these, the stamp set (2,200 yen) is particularly unique. While there have been examples of name stamps among officially licensed EXPO 2025 products in the past, this is reportedly the first stamp set of its kind that requires customers to purchase ink separately.
The short notes accompanying Myaku Myaku feature versatile phrases such as “I saw it,” “Thank you,” “Like,” and “Important.” They’re sure to come in handy in a variety of situations—from school communication notebooks and neighborhood bulletin boards to homework corrections and work memos—regardless of age or context.
Starting October 13, the book will be available for purchase at EXPO 2025 Official Stores nationwide, including Maruzen Junkudo Bookstores, Junkudo Bookstores, and MARUZEN & Junkudo Bookstores. For more details, please visit the Maruzen Junkudo Bookstores special website.
© Source travel watch