An art object that looks like "Anywhere Door" is seen in Saruka Park in Hirakawa, Aomori Prefecture, on Oct. 5, 2021. (Mainichi/Kenta Oka)

       HIRAKAWA, Aomori -- An art object that looks like "Dokodemo Door" (Anywhere Door) in the popular Japanese manga and anime "Doraemon" has appeared in a park in this north Japan city, creating a buzz on social media and elsewhere.

       The secret gadget in the manga series that allows the user to go anywhere is placed in Saruka Park in the city of Hirakawa. A similar object was seen in the city before, and a representative at the municipal government said, "It's great because it helps promote the city of Hirakawa."

       The art piece is about 2 meters tall and 1 meter wide. The object that was previously sighted in the city was pink -- the same color as the one in the manga. But this time, the door is yellow and decorated with a red ribbon -- reminiscent of protagonist Doraemon's sister Dorami.

       The city's tourist association Hirakawashi Kanko Kyokai, whose office is located in Saruka Park, was already aware of the object as of Oct. 2. Toshinori Shimoyama, 74, the association's secretary-general, said, "There have been increasing numbers of visitors coming to see the attraction and many phone inquiries."

       According to the municipal government, there was a notification about installing the object in the park, but it has not checked the details such as the concrete purpose.

       A 50-year-old male corporate employee who lives in the neighboring city of Hirosaki said, "I heard from my colleague who said, 'There's an Anywhere Door in Saruka Park,' and I came to take a picture of it because I thought it would make my child happy."

       (Japanese original by Kenta Oka, Aomori Bureau)

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