[First Unveiling] 4m-Long "Hotokeakabane" Giant Balloon Appears at Suma Patio in Kobe, Hyogo! From May 2nd at "Kobitodukan" 20th Anniversary Collaboration Event
The picture book series "Kobitodukan" is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the first public display of a 4m-tall "Hotokeakabane" giant balloon at Suma Patio in Kobe, Hyogo, starting May 2, 2026. In addition to the balloon exhibition, various events such as a "Kobito search" within the facility, collaboration menus, and a lottery will be held.
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"Kobitodukan" (created by Toshitaka Nabata / published by Rokurinsha) has created a new giant "Hotokeakabane" balloon to commemorate its 20th anniversary. This balloon will be unveiled for the first time starting May 2, 2026 (Saturday) at Suma Patio (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture)!
Giant "Kakuremomojiri" balloons have been very popular eye-catchers and photo spots at previous Kobitodukan events, touring throughout Japan. Hotokeakabane is the second most popular after Kakuremomojiri, and since it is said that "witnessing it brings happiness," it has been made into a balloon to commemorate the 20th anniversary.
The balloon exhibition, which allows visitors to experience the existence of Kobito on a spatial scale, is planned to be expanded as a series in the future. We welcome media representatives for coverage.
In addition to the balloon exhibition, this event offers plenty of fun, including a "Kobito search" within the facility, various collaboration menus at the food court, and a "Grand Lottery" where you can win Kobitodukan goods! Please come and visit.
4-meter "Hotokeakabane" Giant Balloon
[About the Hotokeakabane Balloon]
Big size: approximately 4m high, 5m wide, and 3m deep. This is about 13 times the scale of an actual Hotokeakabane (approximately 30cm including the head's crest feathers). While it's difficult to encounter a real Hotokeakabane, this balloon allows you to clearly see its figure from a distance. Even if you're not a Kobitodukan fan, you'll definitely want to take a picture of this Kobito, which is said to "bring happiness if you witness it."
[Exhibition Dates and Times]
May 2 (Sat) - May 4 (Mon/Holiday), 2026 *Held for 3 days
Giant Hotokeakabane Balloon Exhibition Hours
11:00-16:00
*In case of strong winds or stormy weather, the balloon installation may be canceled for safety reasons.
[Venue]
Suma Patio
654-0154
2-2-1 Nakaochi, Suma-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Balloon exhibition: Station Square
Other event reception: Building 1, Center Court
https://www.patio.gr.jp/
Overall view of Suma Patio with the "Hotokeakabane Balloon" installed
"Kobito Search in Suma Patio" Overview
May 2 (Sat) - May 4 (Mon/Holiday), 2026 *Held for 3 days
・Kobito Search / Giant Hotokeakabane Balloon / Grand Lottery
11:00-16:00 (Last reception for Kobito search 16:00)
・Kobito Ecology Panel & Kobito Mini Diorama Treasure Chest Exhibition
10:00-20:00 (*Until 16:00 on the last day only)
① Kobito Search
Find 17 types of Kobito in the facility! Those who complete the search will receive an original sticker!
Original sticker: Kakuremomojiri
*First 1,500 people each day (total 4,500 people over 3 days)
② Kobito Ecology Panel Exhibition (100 types)
100 types of "Ecology Panels" introducing the mysterious and interesting characteristics of Kobito will be exhibited all at once!
③ Kobito Mini Diorama Treasure Chest Exhibition (7 types in total)
7 types of treasure chests containing mini dioramas depicting the ecology of Kobito will be exhibited.
④ Kobitodukan Grand Lottery
This is a lottery where you can win "Kobitodukan" goods and books.
⑤ Hotokeakabane Balloon Exhibition
⑥ Collaboration Menu
Kobitodukan collaborates with 6 food court stores! For each collaboration menu item, you will receive one original sticker of the Kobito named in the menu!
For details, please check the special page on the Suma Patio official website.
https://www.patio.gr.jp/event/kobitosagashi/
About "Kobitodukan"
"Kobitodukan" is a picture book and book series by Toshitaka Nabata, first published in 2006. This year, 2026, marks its 20th anniversary, and it is a popular children's book that has surpassed 3.2 million copies in cumulative circulation.
In the first picture book, the protagonist "I" discovers mysterious creatures called "Kobito" that are neither insects nor plants, and 444 types have been announced to date. Although their visuals are impactful enough to make you gasp at first sight, they have become a "classic work" read in kindergartens, nurseries, and elementary schools, and are loved mainly by children who genuinely believe in the existence of "Kobito" and their families.
Following the "How to Catch Kobito" introduced in the books and video series, "Kobito hunting" has become a huge craze among children.
And whether they exist or not is often debated, troubling fathers and mothers across Japan. Don't say "they don't exist"; listen carefully and look closely.
You will surely feel the presence of the mysterious Kobito too.
Kobitodukan Official Website: https://www.kobitos.com/
Giant "Kakuremomojiri" balloons have been very popular eye-catchers and photo spots at previous Kobitodukan events, touring throughout Japan. Hotokeakabane is the second most popular after Kakuremomojiri, and since it is said that "witnessing it brings happiness," it has been made into a balloon to commemorate the 20th anniversary.
The balloon exhibition, which allows visitors to experience the existence of Kobito on a spatial scale, is planned to be expanded as a series in the future. We welcome media representatives for coverage.
In addition to the balloon exhibition, this event offers plenty of fun, including a "Kobito search" within the facility, various collaboration menus at the food court, and a "Grand Lottery" where you can win Kobitodukan goods! Please come and visit.
4-meter "Hotokeakabane" Giant Balloon
[About the Hotokeakabane Balloon]
Big size: approximately 4m high, 5m wide, and 3m deep. This is about 13 times the scale of an actual Hotokeakabane (approximately 30cm including the head's crest feathers). While it's difficult to encounter a real Hotokeakabane, this balloon allows you to clearly see its figure from a distance. Even if you're not a Kobitodukan fan, you'll definitely want to take a picture of this Kobito, which is said to "bring happiness if you witness it."
[Exhibition Dates and Times]
May 2 (Sat) - May 4 (Mon/Holiday), 2026 *Held for 3 days
Giant Hotokeakabane Balloon Exhibition Hours
11:00-16:00
*In case of strong winds or stormy weather, the balloon installation may be canceled for safety reasons.
[Venue]
Suma Patio
654-0154
2-2-1 Nakaochi, Suma-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Balloon exhibition: Station Square
Other event reception: Building 1, Center Court
https://www.patio.gr.jp/
Overall view of Suma Patio with the "Hotokeakabane Balloon" installed
"Kobito Search in Suma Patio" Overview
May 2 (Sat) - May 4 (Mon/Holiday), 2026 *Held for 3 days
・Kobito Search / Giant Hotokeakabane Balloon / Grand Lottery
11:00-16:00 (Last reception for Kobito search 16:00)
・Kobito Ecology Panel & Kobito Mini Diorama Treasure Chest Exhibition
10:00-20:00 (*Until 16:00 on the last day only)
① Kobito Search
Find 17 types of Kobito in the facility! Those who complete the search will receive an original sticker!
Original sticker: Kakuremomojiri
*First 1,500 people each day (total 4,500 people over 3 days)
② Kobito Ecology Panel Exhibition (100 types)
100 types of "Ecology Panels" introducing the mysterious and interesting characteristics of Kobito will be exhibited all at once!
③ Kobito Mini Diorama Treasure Chest Exhibition (7 types in total)
7 types of treasure chests containing mini dioramas depicting the ecology of Kobito will be exhibited.
④ Kobitodukan Grand Lottery
This is a lottery where you can win "Kobitodukan" goods and books.
⑤ Hotokeakabane Balloon Exhibition
⑥ Collaboration Menu
Kobitodukan collaborates with 6 food court stores! For each collaboration menu item, you will receive one original sticker of the Kobito named in the menu!
For details, please check the special page on the Suma Patio official website.
https://www.patio.gr.jp/event/kobitosagashi/
About "Kobitodukan"
"Kobitodukan" is a picture book and book series by Toshitaka Nabata, first published in 2006. This year, 2026, marks its 20th anniversary, and it is a popular children's book that has surpassed 3.2 million copies in cumulative circulation.
In the first picture book, the protagonist "I" discovers mysterious creatures called "Kobito" that are neither insects nor plants, and 444 types have been announced to date. Although their visuals are impactful enough to make you gasp at first sight, they have become a "classic work" read in kindergartens, nurseries, and elementary schools, and are loved mainly by children who genuinely believe in the existence of "Kobito" and their families.
Following the "How to Catch Kobito" introduced in the books and video series, "Kobito hunting" has become a huge craze among children.
And whether they exist or not is often debated, troubling fathers and mothers across Japan. Don't say "they don't exist"; listen carefully and look closely.
You will surely feel the presence of the mysterious Kobito too.
Kobitodukan Official Website: https://www.kobitos.com/