Mole Chika-chan and San-chan

Chika-chan, a girl mole, was created as the image character of Nagoya Underground Shopping District, founded in 1957 (Showa 32) as Japan's first underground shopping district and later renamed Meieki Underground Shopping District Sun Road. In 2002 (Heisei 14), San-chan, a boy mole, was created as her boyfriend, 45 years her junior. Originally characters limited to flat appearances on posters and the like, three-dimensional characters were produced last year (2013/Heisei 25) to commemorate the 56th anniversary. Today, as a couple of characters, they walk through the underground shopping district during events held three times a year. Both are about 190 centimeters tall; Chika-chan is distinguished by her red ribbon and San-chan by his long whiskers.