The Japanese have perfected kawaii or the culture of cuteness. A few months ago, with the urging of someone who reads this blog, I discovered kawaii through the Netflix stop-motion animation series Rilakkuma and Kaoru. I watched Kaoru take care of the relaxed bear Rilakkuma and his friends the mischievous Korilakkuma and my spirit animal Kiiroitori be their adorable selves. I was enchanted and I made a mental note to visit them when I travel to Japan.
The face-to-face
meet-up with the trio (Kaoru is a character written specifically for the
series) happened on November 2, 2019, just over 24 hours after I arrived in
Tokyo. It was serendipitous that the tour bus that took us gallivanting around
Tokyo stopped at Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit. It was a pedestrian lane
away from Tokyo Station. It took us 20 minutes to figure out how to ask for
direction to the store (we were not sure if the Rilakkuma store was even
there), but after a short conversation with a stranger, a police officer, and a
helpful lady, we found the official Rilakkuma store in the Tokyo Character
Street! Imagine the delight I felt when I saw the words, Rilakkuma Store and
the phrase, “Happy life with Rilakkuma!” Indeed it was a happy life with the
most captivating bear ever (sorry, Pinky!).
Here are some of the items sold at Rilakkuma Store in Tokyo, Japan:
Official Rilakkuma Store in Tokyo, Japan
Rilkkuma and Kiiroitori welcome shoppers to their happy place
Rilakkuma and Kiiroitori. Sadly, my photo with them is not with me. ☹ And I was too preoccupied to take a photo of TR with them. I may lose her, and she may come back to haunt me for neglecting her. Hahaha.
Rilakkuma re-ment (reform the entertainment) or miniature sets
These Rilakkuma re-ment sets are so popular they occupy multiple shelves near the front of the store.
Rilakkuma re-ment sets in boxes
More Rilakkuma re-ment sets
Rilakkuma bears and edibles
Rilakkuma Petite Gaufres
Rilakkuma mochi balls
Rilakkuma and friends mugs
Rilakkuma and friends teapot, cups, mugs, and toiletries
Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori (also Chairoikoguma) pouches
Rilakkuma stamps
Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori stationery items
Rilakkuma pens and pencils
Rilakkuma Christmas 2019 edition merchandise
Rilakkuma bears and pink Christmas trees
Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori as snow bears
Rilakkuma Sweet Christmas 2019
Rilakkuma as Santa Claus and Korilakkuma as reindeer
Rilakkuma Sweet Christmas bags
Kobe Fugetsudo Rilakkuma petite gaufres tin can, 432 yen (US $3.94).
Inside are two packs of petite gaufres
Kobe Fugetsudo Rilakkuma petite gaufres
Kobe Fugetsudo Rilakkuma petite gaufres
Inside each pack are three petite gaufres – vanilla, chocolates, and strawberry. I already ate the vanilla one. ☺ They are yum! Delicate, with only a hint of flavor but delightful.
I promised to myself that I would buy only two items from the Rilakkuma Store. To make matters worse, I told two people about it. I had no choice but to push through with the plan (lesson learned: never tell anyone about your plans. Hahaha). So I bought this. It was neatly wrapped by the attendant, but it had to fight for survival with the other contents of my luggage.
It took me a while to decide whether to get something with an image of Rilakkuma or of Kiiroitori. Luckily, I found a keyholder with images of Rilakkuma, Kiiroitori, AND Korilakkuma (She is TR’s spirit animal). Rilakkuma keyholder, 770 yen (US $7.03)
In this photo, TR is Kaoru (look at her haircut!) and of course, the three are themselves.
Rilakkuma Sweetest Christmas bag
Rilakkuma Sweetest Christmas tree
Rilakkuma
Store in Tokyo is open from 10am to 830pm. It is located in Tokyo Character
Street, on the first basement floor of Tokyo Station Ichibangai. It is a short
walk from the station, one flight of stairs down and then around five-minute
walk in the direction of the restaurants. Just be careful where you walk
because it is a busy place.
