The popular Chiikawa Pocket smartphone app is introducing a new interactive feature called “Fureai,” allowing users to enjoy caring for and playing with Chiikawa characters in fresh ways. To celebrate, giant smartphone displays will be set up at 28 locations nationwide, offering visitors a unique chance to try the new feature on a large screen.
For international visitors interested in Japanese pop culture and mobile gaming, this update offers a fun way to connect with the beloved Chiikawa characters, created by illustrator Nagano. The app has been available globally since March 2025, and this new feature enhances the immersive experience of living alongside Chiikawa anytime, anywhere.
About the Chiikawa Pocket App and New “Fureai” Feature
Chiikawa Pocket is a smartphone game app based on the popular manga “Chiikawa” by Nagano, which has captured a wide audience in Japan and beyond. The app’s concept centers on spending time with Chiikawa characters wherever you go. The new “Fureai” feature adds interactive elements such as feeding, bathing, dressing up Chiikawa in various outfits, rearranging furniture, and even petting or tickling the characters.
This feature will first be available in a trial version released on July 24, 2026. The trial lets users experience key parts of “Fureai,” including the “Care” and “Coordinate” functions. Currently, only the main Chiikawa character is playable, with plans to add others in the future.
Highlights
- New interactive “Fureai” feature lets users feed, bathe, dress, and play with Chiikawa.
- Trial version of “Fureai” available from July 24, 2026.
- Giant smartphone displays about 1.9 meters tall will be exhibited at 28 locations across Japan from July 10 to September 6, 2026, allowing visitors to try the new feature on a large screen.
- Exhibit locations include popular shopping malls, pop-up stores, and Chiikawa Park.
- The app is free to play with optional in-app purchases and is available on iOS and Android.
Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Chiikawa Pocket Smartphone App “Fureai” Feature and Large Smartphone Exhibits |
| Menu / items | Interactive features: Care (feeding, bathing), Coordinate (outfits, furniture), petting, tickling |
| Location | 28 venues nationwide including Aeon Mall Niigata Kameda Inter, Aeon Mall Kurashiki, Spa Resort Hawaiians, Sapporo PARCO, Sendai PARCO, Nagano Tokyu Department Store, and Chiikawa Park |
| Address | 4-chome Kameda, Konan-ku, Niigata Kotobuki-cho, Kurashiki 50 Warabidaira, Tokiwa Fujiwara-cho, Iwaki Minami 1-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai Minami Chitose, Nagano Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Chiikawa Park) |
| Period | July 10, 2026 – September 6, 2026 (varies by venue) |
| Release date | July 24, 2026 (trial version of “Fureai” feature) |
| Price | Free to play; in-app purchases available |
