ORIX Buffaloes Sponsored Game "Gyugyugyu-tto Tottori Day" Held
Tottori Prefecture hosted "Gyugyugyu-tto Tottori Day" at Kyocera Dome Osaka on May 4, 2026, boosting the ORIX Buffaloes game. During the event, pitcher Aren Kuri, a native of Tottori Prefecture, was appointed "Tottori Furusato Ambassador." The event featured promotions of local specialties and sales of limited-edition menus, extensively showcasing the region's appeal.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 23:59
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 15:01
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Tottori Prefecture held the "Gyugyugyu-tto Tottori Day" at the game between ORIX Buffaloes and Chiba Lotte Marines at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Monday, May 4, 2026, where the charms of Tottori Prefecture were packed "Gyugyugyu" (tightly). An appointment ceremony for pitcher Aren Kuri, a native of Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, as "Tottori Furusato Ambassador" was also held.
At the appointment ceremony, Governor Hirai commented, "Today, we are honored to appoint Aren Kuri, a pitcher Tottori is proud of, as the first professional baseball player to be a Furusato Ambassador. Tottori has many delicious foods and wonderful places, so I hope he will promote Tottori 'straight' to everyone. Tottori's cheering squad is behind him, so with three strikes (Sankyu), and a cycle hit (Saikuru Hit), we hope he will unleash Tottori's power on the field." Along with the letter of appointment, a protein drink flavored with Shirobara Coffee, the soul drink of Tottori residents boasting "Japan's best milk quality," was presented as a commemorative gift.
Pitcher Kuri spoke about his aspirations as a Furusato Ambassador, saying, "When I was in Tottori, I drank about two bottles of milk a day. I want to convey the many charms of Tottori, such as Daisen ski resort, golf courses, the sea, and Kaike Onsen." He smiled and added, "I want to eat the soft-serve ice cream from the farm on Daisen." As his first official duty after his appointment as ambassador, he signed special business cards and original uniforms for "Food Paradise Tottori Prefecture."
Furthermore, the first to appear at the pre-game ceremony were the comedy duo Ganbareeruya. Mahiru, from Daisen Town, Tottori Prefecture, took the mound as pitcher, and Yoshiko served as catcher for the ceremonial pitch.
Mahiru commented with a smile, "Thanks to the advice from Pitcher Kuri, I was able to throw with all my might. I gripped the ball 'tightly' (Gyutto) and got a bit stiff, but I was able to 'control' (Gyuju) the atmosphere of the venue, so it was a 100-point pitch!"
Following this, Governor Hirai appeared with Tottori Prefecture's mascot character "Toripy," JA Zennoh Tottori's "Tori-Moo" promoting Tottori Wagyu beef, and Daisen Nyugyo Agricultural Cooperative's "Cawii." Governor Hirai addressed the audience gathered at the stadium, saying, "We have come to the sacred land of buffaloes, the Buffaloes, with Wagyu beef 'Tori-Moo' and dairy cow 'Cawii,' to convey the charms of Tottori. And today, we appointed Pitcher Kuri, a native of Tottori, as Furusato Ambassador. Also, today, we will rename Tottori Prefecture to 'Tottorix Prefecture.' Go, Orix, from Tottorix!" The stadium erupted in loud cheers.
Subsequently, Tottori Wagyu beef was presented as a commemorative gift to both teams. Furthermore, Mari Ueda, a talent from Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, performed the first pitch, receiving warm applause from the audience. Ueda reflected on the first pitch with a smile, saying, "My dream is to marry baseball and become Baseball Marie. Standing on the mound with this combination of 'baseball,' which is important in my life, and 'Tottori,' I am moved to have achieved my dream. I put my love 'tightly' (Gyutto) into the ball, but it bounced, so it seems my love wasn't enough, and I want to try again next year."
On the day of the event, Tottori Prefecture vigorously promoted its attractions by selling local products, including Shirobara Milk, and specialties like Tottori Watermelon, which will soon be in season, as well as offering limited-edition collaboration menus using local ingredients such as Tottori Wagyu beef, Tottori chicken, Gyukotsu Ramen, and Hoshizoramai in the gourmet area, creating a lively atmosphere at the stadium.
At the appointment ceremony, Governor Hirai commented, "Today, we are honored to appoint Aren Kuri, a pitcher Tottori is proud of, as the first professional baseball player to be a Furusato Ambassador. Tottori has many delicious foods and wonderful places, so I hope he will promote Tottori 'straight' to everyone. Tottori's cheering squad is behind him, so with three strikes (Sankyu), and a cycle hit (Saikuru Hit), we hope he will unleash Tottori's power on the field." Along with the letter of appointment, a protein drink flavored with Shirobara Coffee, the soul drink of Tottori residents boasting "Japan's best milk quality," was presented as a commemorative gift.
Pitcher Kuri spoke about his aspirations as a Furusato Ambassador, saying, "When I was in Tottori, I drank about two bottles of milk a day. I want to convey the many charms of Tottori, such as Daisen ski resort, golf courses, the sea, and Kaike Onsen." He smiled and added, "I want to eat the soft-serve ice cream from the farm on Daisen." As his first official duty after his appointment as ambassador, he signed special business cards and original uniforms for "Food Paradise Tottori Prefecture."
Furthermore, the first to appear at the pre-game ceremony were the comedy duo Ganbareeruya. Mahiru, from Daisen Town, Tottori Prefecture, took the mound as pitcher, and Yoshiko served as catcher for the ceremonial pitch.
Mahiru commented with a smile, "Thanks to the advice from Pitcher Kuri, I was able to throw with all my might. I gripped the ball 'tightly' (Gyutto) and got a bit stiff, but I was able to 'control' (Gyuju) the atmosphere of the venue, so it was a 100-point pitch!"
Following this, Governor Hirai appeared with Tottori Prefecture's mascot character "Toripy," JA Zennoh Tottori's "Tori-Moo" promoting Tottori Wagyu beef, and Daisen Nyugyo Agricultural Cooperative's "Cawii." Governor Hirai addressed the audience gathered at the stadium, saying, "We have come to the sacred land of buffaloes, the Buffaloes, with Wagyu beef 'Tori-Moo' and dairy cow 'Cawii,' to convey the charms of Tottori. And today, we appointed Pitcher Kuri, a native of Tottori, as Furusato Ambassador. Also, today, we will rename Tottori Prefecture to 'Tottorix Prefecture.' Go, Orix, from Tottorix!" The stadium erupted in loud cheers.
Subsequently, Tottori Wagyu beef was presented as a commemorative gift to both teams. Furthermore, Mari Ueda, a talent from Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, performed the first pitch, receiving warm applause from the audience. Ueda reflected on the first pitch with a smile, saying, "My dream is to marry baseball and become Baseball Marie. Standing on the mound with this combination of 'baseball,' which is important in my life, and 'Tottori,' I am moved to have achieved my dream. I put my love 'tightly' (Gyutto) into the ball, but it bounced, so it seems my love wasn't enough, and I want to try again next year."
On the day of the event, Tottori Prefecture vigorously promoted its attractions by selling local products, including Shirobara Milk, and specialties like Tottori Watermelon, which will soon be in season, as well as offering limited-edition collaboration menus using local ingredients such as Tottori Wagyu beef, Tottori chicken, Gyukotsu Ramen, and Hoshizoramai in the gourmet area, creating a lively atmosphere at the stadium.