Did You Know: You Can Make Your Own Totoro Plushie At This Teddy Bear Museum In Japan
I have severe cuteness aggression right now.
Cover image via If you've ever dreamed of bringing home your very own cuddly forest spirit, then the Izu Teddy Bear Museum in Shizuoka, Japan should be on your itinerary!
The museum offers a delightful two-part experience. The ground floor features a charming collection of antique teddy bears, each with its own tale to tell.
The upper floor has an original Studio Ghibli exhibition dedicated to My Neighbor Totoro. Here, you can literally step inside a life-sized Cat Bus and be greeted by a colossal Totoro plushie keeping a watchful eye, along with engaging interactive displays like a gently snoring Totoro and recreations of memorable film moments.
While the museum itself is a treasure trove of teddy bear history, the real highlight for many is the hour-long "make your own Totoro plushie" workshop, where you can customise your very own unique forest spirit to take home with you!
Image via @izuteddybearmuseum (Instagram)
Image via @rcb_ccc333 (Instagram)
Image via @natsuki_haku (Instagram)
The first step involves selecting your Totoro from three charming variations — the Laughing Totoro, the grey Large Totoro, or the classic light blue Medium Totoro — and then choosing a leaf to adorn his head
Image via @izuteddybearmuseum (Instagram)
You can also choose from a selection of hand adornments for your Totoro, such as adorable corn and mushroom plushies for him to hold.
Image via @natsuki_haku (Instagram)
Image via @rcb_ccc333 (Instagram)
Next, it's time to get your hands fluffy!
You'll be filling your Totoro with cotton, and the best part is, you're in control of how squishy or firm you want him to be.
Image via @tsuki_ayana (Instagram)
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Once your Totoro is perfectly plump (and meets your cuddle requirements), it's time to sew up his back
Image via @rcb_ccc333 (Instagram)
Image via @rcb_ccc333 (Instagram)
You'll officially welcome your Totoro into the world by measuring his height and weight
Image via @rcb_ccc333 (Instagram)
Image via @rcb_ccc333 (Instagram)
Then, you'll create a personalised birth certificate and even a health insurance card, treating your Totoro plushy like a new member of the family.
There's even an MRI-resembling machine where you can 'diagnose' your fluffy friend's personality.
Image via @natsuki_haku (Instagram)
Image via @tsuki_ayana (Instagram)
The Totoro stuffed toy workshop at the Izu Teddy Bear Museum requires a reservation and costs 6,380 yen (around RM199.33) per person
You can join the workshop without purchasing museum admission. Workshop participants will also receive a 500 yen (about RM15.60) discount on the museum entrance fee.
Address:
1064-2 Yawatano, Ito-shi, Shizuoka, Japan
The museum is about a 10-minute walk from Izukogen Station on the Izukyu Line.
Admission fee to the museum:
– Adults: 1,500 yen (about RM46.90)
– Junior and senior high school students: 1,000 yen (about RM31.20)
– Elementary school students: 800 yen (about RM25)
– Free for preschool children and those over 75 years old
You can apply for your slot here. You can also buy museum tickets on Klook or Kkday.
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