Sharing 'Early Summer Radiance': The 38th Bear-kun AR Photo Contest Held

Apaman Shop, operated by APAMAN Co., Ltd.—a leader in Japan's rental housing brokerage industry in both number of stores and contracts—is launching the '38th Bear-kun AR Photo Contest' from Thursday, May 21, 2026. This participatory initiative encourages users to launch an AR experience on their smartphones and take photos featuring the company's official character, 'Bear-kun,' amidst the 'radiance of early summer.' The contest invites participants to share photos of scenes or moments that capture the glow of nature during this vibrant season.

The purpose of this contest is to utilize Bear-kun to help people feel closer to their homes and daily lives, capturing the sense of new beginnings and positive feelings brought about by the freshness of early summer greenery and pleasant breezes. By sharing everyday discoveries, Apaman Shop aims to create an opportunity for people to naturally appreciate the comfort of their living environment and the importance of their homes.

Event details: The contest runs from May 21, 2026, through June 3, 2026 (23:59 JST). Participants can join by scanning a QR code to launch the dedicated AR experience, taking a photo, and posting it on social media with the hashtag #べあ君ar体験 (Bear-kun AR Experience). Six winners will receive the 'Bear-kun's Thank You Award.' The grand prize winner will receive a selection of sweets from Niigata (valued at approx. 2,500 yen), while five runner-up winners will receive a 500-yen Starbucks eGift. DM notifications to winners are scheduled for June 4, 2026, with the winning entries scheduled to be published by July 24, 2026.

The AR Bear-kun experience can be enjoyed anywhere on a single smartphone without the need for an app. When taking photos, please be mindful of surroundings and avoid walking while using your phone or photographing on roads. Images created using generative AI are excluded from selection.