Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise: Ken Matsudaira, the 'God of Clear Skies,' Proves Real! Matsuken Samba Reaches the Heavens, Japan's First 'GW Clear Weather Contract' Achieves Astonishing 91.7% Clear Rate

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise announces the results of Japan's first 'GW Clear Weather Contract' with weather-incentive remuneration, signed with actor Ken Matsudaira, as part of the special Golden Week event 'Matsuken Mamire Yuuenchi' (held from April 17 to May 7, 2026). Out of the 12 days during Golden Week (April 25 to May 6, 2026), a remarkable 11 days were clear, with rain occurring on only one day (May 1). Based on the contract terms, Ken Matsudaira's remuneration has been set at 50kg of rice bales. Furthermore, the special Golden Week event 'Matsuken Mamire Yuuenchi,' which transformed the entire park into a world of Ken Matsudaira during the aforementioned GW period, also performed strongly, with Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise recording a 26% increase in visitor numbers compared to the same period last year. We were able to conclude Golden Week on a high note.

■ GW Clear Weather Contract Results: 11 out of 12 Days Were Clear.

This contract is a weather-incentive remuneration agreement where the reward varies depending on the number of clear days during the Golden Week period. Ken Matsudaira signed and concluded the contract at an announcement event on April 27.
Target Period: April 25 (Sat) to May 6 (Wed/Holiday), 2026, totaling 12 days.
Number of Clear Days: 11 days (Rain only on May 1).
Remuneration Result: 50kg of rice bales (corresponding to the range of 10-11 clear days).

■ GW Special Event 'Matsuken Mamire Yuuenchi' Performs Strongly, Recording +26% Compared to Previous Year.

As an excessively immersive entertainment space where Matsuken appears everywhere in the park, a total of 11 collaborative contents were developed. Matsuken Train, Matsuken Bubble Shooting, Super Sardine Illusion (Matsuken SUN Version), and more recorded strong visitor numbers, especially among families.

Holding Period: April 17 (Fri) to May 7 (Thu), 2026.
GW Period Visitor Numbers: Recorded +26% compared to the same period last year. *Same period last year: April 26 (Sat) to May 7 (Wed), 2025.

Project Background: A visitor attraction strategy that turned last year's bad GW weather into an advantage.

Last year's Golden Week saw nationwide bad weather on some days. Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise took this challenge as an opportunity, leveraging the auspiciousness of Matsuken Samba's 'Samba = SUN (sun),' the overwhelming positive aura of his glittering costume, and Ken Matsudaira's cross-generational recognition, to appoint him as the 'God of Clear Skies.' They announced Japan's first weather-incentive remuneration contract, where the reward varied based on the number of clear days during Golden Week. On the day of the event, it was pouring rain in the morning, but miraculously, the sky cleared at the start of the event, creating an impactful visual of Ken Matsudaira performing Matsuken SUNba towards the sun from a 15m high aerial work platform.

Content List (Total 11 types)

1. Matsuken Train - Park tour
2. Matsuken Bubble Shooting - Shooting attraction
3. Matsuken Fishing Photo - Photo spot
4. Free Matsuken Mask Distribution - Limited quantity distributed daily
5. Panel where you can shake hands with Matsuken - Life-sized panel
6. Animal Life Live! (Matsuken SUN Version) - Dolphin and beluga whale performance
7. Super Sardine Illusion (Matsuken SUN Version) - 50,000 sardines swimming in a school
8. Matsuken Sambaron - Red Baron in Matsuken specifications
9. Matsuken Soccer Challenge Panel
10. Life-sized Panel - Photo spot
11. Haregoi Cafe au Lait! - Drink

About 'Matsuken Mamire Yuuenchi'

As a special Golden Week project, Ken Matsudaira and Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise collaborated to launch 'Matsuken Mamire Yuuenchi,' an unprecedented experiential project where 'everywhere in the park is invaded by Matsuken.' This project created an extreme worldview of 'Matsuken everywhere' and 'Matsuken Samba no matter what you do.' From the moment visitors step in, they are enveloped in Matsuken through sight, sound, and experience, providing an 'excessively immersive entertainment space.' Inside the park, various mechanisms were prepared to increase 'Matsuken concentration' as participants engaged, such as the 'Matsuken Train,' where visitors tour the park in a train modeled after Matsuken's face while repeatedly bathing in 'Matsuken Samba,' the mysterious immersive experience 'Matsuken Bubble Shooting,' where visitors 'give water' to Matsuken themselves, and the 'Free Mask Distribution' where visitors 'become Matsuken.' Furthermore, in the aquarium, 'Animal Life Live!' and 'Super Sardine Illusion' were held, where marine creatures performed to the song 'Matsuken Samba II.' With Matsuken continuously appearing everywhere in the park, an 'abnormally immersive experience where you can't escape Matsuken all day long' was realized. A theme park dominated by Matsuken to an 'unprecedented level,' mixing laughter and bewilderment, was born.