That's not the only event like that to happen in Japan.
There was an event at a Japanese airport on April 19th this year featuring Pilot Mametchi, Cabin Attendant Memetchi, and Japan Airlines' original Tamagotchi JALtchi. That's the airplane Tama that you Tamaschool owners may have seen, or may even have in your class. The whole purpose of this event was to promote JALtchi. They have some pics of this event here. I must say, Mametchi and Memetchi look adorable in their airline attendant gear, and JALtchi has a nice tuft of hair. I think it gives him character.
It also seems Sanrio Puroland, a park based on characters such as Hello Kitty, has a Tamagotchi World area. I don't know if it's there to stay, though.
Sweet! I wish I could have stopped in Japan to go to the Tamagotchi Carnival. I like the Mametchi hats - but I think the cutest caps are the Kuchipatchi ones!