Searching for snow crab, I found many local mascot characters inspired by crab. The trendy "yuru-chara." Here are a few.
First, Tottori Prefecture—four at a glance (?). Each has a different vibe and plenty of variety. First is Kani-la, active in tourism PR for the "Tottori-Inaba Tourism Network Council" of Tottori City and four neighboring towns＝photos top, bottom right. Originally mascot of the 2009 "Tottori-Inaba Festival," modeled on matsuba crab and sand-dune rakkyo. With partner Nashi-ta＝photo bottom left＝ they form the "Inabers" duo. Both are male, by the way.
Next, Kani Taro＝photo bottom left. In 2002 the "Sakaiminato No. 1 Crab Landing PR Executive Committee" launched PR for "Crab Town Sakaiminato," aiming for a "fish and yokai collaboration," and received him as mascot from the Mizuki Shigeru Road promotion group—or so it is said. Shy and blushes easily—that is his trait.
Totolin＝photo bottom center＝ was mascot of the 31st National Rich Sea Creation Convention held in Tottori in autumn 2011—a relative newcomer. Named from "toto" (fish) and "marine." Charm point: round eyes—but is that the crab hood or the face? At the 5th Yuru-chara Grand Prix (2010), fifty-one characters gathered and Totolin won overall—though the venue was Tottori Sand Dunes, so a bit of home advantage, perhaps...
Another, slightly different pretty-girl type: Ritotto＝photo bottom right. Designed by Tottori-born illustrator and producer Takami Akai—special effects director on "Return of Ultraman"—so perhaps too cute for a "serious" mascot? Hair is crab; leek wraps the claw base; yellow dress evokes sand dunes—Tottori specialties and sights all over. Cosplayers as Ritotto appear at events; at last year's "Tottori Anical (Anime Carnival) Festival," rules like "cosplay registration ¥300/day (¥500 two days), changing room 10:00–16:00..." were imposed—quite a local star.
Other prefectures have many characters too—more another day.
Writing about crab makes me hungry. From Palaceside Building you can easily reach Shinbashi by subway; at the Tottori antenna shop "Shoku no Miyako Tottori-ken" (2-19-4 Shinbashi, Minato Ward) you can order direct-ship matsuba crab. Mail order is available through the Tottori Products Association site (http://tottori-bussan.or.jp/product/2012/06502.html) and sites run by fishermen themselves, among others.