How can I type unicode characters without using the mouse? I want to type unicode characters with the keyboard.  I'm looking for a solution with no mouse usage.  For example, below I have a line with the unicode "PILE-OF-POO" character:



The codepoint for PILE OF POO is U+1F4A9 and on a linux operating system I can create this character by typing:

Ctrl+Shift+u,

1, 
f, 
4, 
a, 
9

space

How can I do something similar on a mac keyboard?  Other answers I've searched involve fiddling with menus and switching input sources.
Press CTRL+CMD+space to bring up the characters popover.



Then type in the code point and press the down arrow to select the symbol.



Then simply press ENTER and you are done.

This also works with the names of the symbols (e.g. arrow).

Additional information:

Note the icon in the top right of the character popover.  It changes the popover to the full Character Viewer, which cannot be navigated by the keyboard.  Click the icon in the top right of the Character Viewer to return to the popover.  Many thanks to @Tom Gewecke for this information.