• Alston
• Allonby And Aspatria
• Ambleside And Troutbeck
• Appleby In Westmoreland
• Askam In Furness
• Barrow In Furness
• Bassenthwaite
• Borrowdale
• Bowness On Windermere
• Brough
• Buttermere
• Brampton
• Broughton In Furness
• Carlisle
• Cartmel
• Cleator Moor
• Cockermouth
• Coniston
• Dalston
• Dalton In Furness
• Dent
• Grange Over Sands
• Grasmere
• Greenodd
• Grizedale
• Hawkshead
• Kendal
• Keswick
• Kirkby Lonsdale
• Wasdale And Gosforth
• Kirkby Stephen
• Longtown
• Loweswater
• Maryport
• Melmerby
• Milnthorpe
• Nenthead
• Newby Bridge
• Orton
• Penrith
• Pooley Bridge
• Ravenglass And Eskdale
• Sedbergh
• Seascale
• Shap
• Silloth And Solway
• St Bees
• Skiddaw
• Staveley
• Tebay
• The Duddon Valley
• Threlkeld
• Ulverston
• Vale Of Lorton
• Wasdale
• Wetheral
• Whitehaven
• Wigton
• Windermere
• Workington
• Spa Hotels In Windermere The Lake District
• Hotels With Hot Tubs In Windermere
• Hot Tub Hotels In Windermere And The Lake District
• Romantic Breaks In Windermere And The Lake District
• Themed Hotels In Windermere And The Lake District
• Weekend Breaks In Windermere
• Windermere Attractions And Boat Trips
• Boutique Hotels And Accommodation In Windermere And The Lake District
• Windermere In The Rain
• One Way Ticket To Windermere Por Favor
• Horse Riding In The Lake District
• Walks In The Lake District
• Windermere Boutique Hotel Bedrooms
• Holiday Accommodation Wanted In The Lake District

Why Beatrix Potter is so big in Japan

The Beatrix Potter industry in the UK reached new levels of popularity with the release of Christopher Noonan´s film, Miss Potter, but nothing could compare with the ´Potter Mania´ which has swept through Japan.

Among the Potter-related attractions in Tokyo is a chain of Peter Rabbit Juice Bars and a perfect recreation of the author´s Lake District home, Hill Top Farm.

Most of us 40-somethings in the UK have vague recollections of reading about Tom Kitten, Mrs Tiggywinkle and Jemima Puddle-Duck way back when, but Japan´s fascination with ´all things Potter´ is an unusual one. Not only is Beatrix Potter big in Japan, she is huge. Some may even say that she is a national obsession. Wherever you seem to look in the bustling city of Tokyo, you will find Potter illustrations.

Beatrix Potter books have been published in most languages worldwide, and the Tale of Peter Rabbit first hit the Japanese book shops in 1971, and became one of the first English books to become available in translation in Asia. The book was included on the national curriculum in schools for years, and is still used as a teaching aid. Whether most Japanese students think the tales of Beatrix Potter are a true reflection of how we live in the UK is up for debate!

One of the most famous attractions in the Lake District is The World of Beatrix Potter at Bowness-on-Windermere, and Richard Foster, general manager, believes Potter´s tales are a picture of bygone Britain.  He says: “Peter Rabbit is seen as a quintessential British character, and he represents a gentle, nostalgic view of this country which continues to attract tourists.”

David Buckley is the president of Copyrights Asia Ltd, which handles all Japanese copyrights for Beatrix Potter and he says: “Peter Rabbit is seen as trustworthy, stable and unthreatening and there is a natural affinity between the Japanese and Beatrix Potter. Her books represent a wholesome Englishness that is highly prized.”

Japan is the biggest market for Beatrix Potter in the world, and according to statistics, the North West of England is the second most popular destination for Japanese tourists after London and the National Trust estimates that Hill Top attracts nearly 20,000 visitors from Japan every summer.

If you visit Hill Top Farm or The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness, don´t be surprised to find it besieged by Japanese tourists looking for Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck.

more about Beatrix Potter

Home >> Things to do