Osaka’s giant duck

As part of the Aqua Metropolis Osaka 2012 Festival, the 10m tall rubber duck made his return to the waterways of Osaka over the past week.

A creation of Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, the duck’s been travelling the world since 2007, proving popular wherever he goes. Here’s Mr Hofman’s own description of the duck from his website:

“The Rubber Duck knows no frontiers, it doesn’t discriminate people and doesn’t have a political connotation. The friendly, floating Rubber Duck has healing properties: it can relieve mondial tensions as well as define them. The rubber duck is soft, friendly and suitable for all ages!”

I had no idea the duck was returning to Osaka, and had to double-take when I caught a glimpse of it from the window of Kitahama Retro tea-room. This time, the duck decided to hang out by Nakanoshima Park(a waterfront park set between the Dojimagawa and Tosaborigawa rivers) – he attracted quite a crowd!

All sorts of souvenirs were available from a van nearby, umbrella’s, t-shirts, phone straps… best of all though, rubber ducks! I couldn’t resist getting one to bring home with me.

Each duck has it’s own unique number on the bottom along with the place and year it was purchased from, it also came with some stickers. It’s a bit smaller than the real thing, but it’s still cool 🙂

It was great to see the giant duck, I’d hoped it’d return to Osaka during my time here!

Check out http://www.florentijnhofman.nl for more of Florentijn Hofman’s projects around the world!