The Japanese honourific kun 「くん」 is often added to younger male names by a more senior or older person. When working in a Japanese junior high school, I always heard teachers adding this to the young boys’ names, like Yuki-kun. In some circumstances it can also be seen as a term of endearment for famous animals, like Pan-kun the chimpanzee or Goro-kun the corgi.
Ueno Panda Beer
うえのパンダビール
Ueno Panda Beer
If an animal is well known in Japan and has the suffix kun added to their name, chances are high that a huge range of merchandise is available showcasing the cute character. While it’s typical to find things like phone straps and towels, it was surprising to find a characterised beer.
But I didn’t get this from Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, rather I found it at the local bottle shop near my apartment in Toyota city. It even came with a set of free stickers.
The beer was average, nothing special but not terrible.
