Hikonyan, Hikone Castle's popular mascot, assisted personnel from the Hikone City administration office in the ritual year-end susuharai (housecleaning) of Hikone Castle this morning.

This is the second year the mascot has taken part in Hikone Castle's susuharai.

Using a 3m long broom, Hikonyan helped dust the castle tower while occasionally waving to the crowd of onlookers. One woman came all the way from Tokyo to watch this customary ritual.