Hi everyone! I’m back from the Dominican Republic finally, and whew it is wild being back in the States again!
But wow, lots of cool things have happened while I was out!
First up, a Rilakkuma & SHINKANSEN collaboration!
Rilakkuma turns into a bullet train! Keychain for 1,300円, and plushie for 1,900円.
Folders for 300円, and pens for 600円 – cute!!
I picked up the Dr. Yellow version of this plushie, so I’ll probably try to get my hands on this version since I’ve traveled on this Shinkansen before!
The Shinkansen (新幹線) is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan, and it’s oldest network is the Tōkaidō Shinkansen (東海道新幹線), which celebrates its 50th birthday this year! Happy birthday Tōkaidō Shinkansen!
A first wave of these items will be sold at Tokyo Station beginning August 19, and then these products will eventually be available in Rilakkuma Stores all over Japan starting August 23.
How cool that they are continuing the success of the transportation theme, which was started by the Yamanote Line collaboration (also with a 50th anniversary theme) from last year!
Speaking of the Yamanote Line, a big congratulations to Rilakkuma for winning an award for excellence at the Transit Advertising Awards 2014!
Following the tourism theme once more, check out the new Tokyo Souvenir Rilakkuma!
Cute souvenir plushie for 2,000円, and his keychain counterpart for 1,480円 – wow, these bears are getting pricey!
What a lovely pattern! Stickers for 300円, and folders for 350円.
In addition to the Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building, this design also features Tokyo Tower (the second tallest structure in Japan behind Skytree) and the Kaminarimon (雷門, an outer entrance gate leading to the Sensō-ji in Asakusa).
I have the Marunouchi Rilakkuma that is really similar in design, but I might pick this one up too for completion’s sake – hard to say no to these camera-wielding Rilakkumas!
Interestingly, these products will be available at all Rilakkuma Stores from August 2 – August 31, but starting from September, only the Rilakkuma in the Tokyo prefecture (Tokyo Station, Tokyo Skytree, Harajuku, Kichijoji) will be stocking these items – which makes some sense since these are supposed to be Tokyo souvenirs anyway hahaha.
Wow, San-X has been really focusing on the tourism and transportation angle recently! In addition to these new designs, San-X is also expanding on their Dr. Yellow line to include socks, chopsticks, and other merchandise now as well – cool!
Wow, Dr. Yellow-shaped chopsticks for 650円!
I’ve already made quite a few purchases on this line, but super cute nonetheless!
In other news, all of my Space Series Rilakkumas have arrived! I just got back from the Dominican Republic recently, so please be patient as I try to get my bearings back here in the United States!
RilakkumaLifestyle 
Wow I bet bullet train bear and Dr. Yellow bear will make good friends.
Train bears like to move very fast!
Good to know that bears have their own high speed transportation like we do!
Welcome back! Keep us updated!
Thank you, I’m excited to be back with Rilakkuma!
Too cute!!! Love the Tokyo Souvenir series. :)
Me too! Since I was a tourist in Japan last year, I identify so much with these plushies! What a great souvenir idea hehehe :3
Welcome back!! 😃
( Shall comment more later on…)😌
Thank you so much! I had a great time in the DR, but I’m really glad to be getting back to my regular rhythm again, and of course, coming home to all of my Rilakkumas :D
Thank you so much for sharing the Rilakkuma & Shinkansen collaboration news!! I think that it is great to have so many different train versions of Rilakuma.😄 It is time to play train very soon!!😜 Everything is very cute nevertheless. I think the folder design and the pens are really pretty. If only we could get our hands on everything!!!😅
The Tokyo Souvenir Rilakkuma is really cute too.😊 He is just like a twin brother of the Marunouchi Rilakkuma. They would look awesome together!😊
Please do another post to share with us your Rilakkuma Go To The Future haul!
Thank you!!😄
I think all of the train Rilakkumas are so adorable, and I think Rilakkuma as the train is such a clever and funny design hehehehe :)
I’ll do a photoshoot of my new Rilakkumas soon, definitely! I’m definitely trying to get the most Rilakkuma photography in this week because I start school again next Monday – ahh!
How time flies by!! All the very best for the coming school year!!!😃
Welcome back! I hope you had fun in the Dominican Republic, I really enjoyed it when I was there a few years ago.
I find the Shinkansen Rilakkuma kind of looks like a plane..I don’t know why -_-
I like the stickers for the Tokyo Souvenir Rilakkuma but other than, I’m not a fan of the series.
Oh wow, you’ve been before too?? Awesome! I really loved working there, but didn’t get a huge opportunity to see the sights – maybe sometime in the future!
Haha I think Shinkansen Rilakkuma looks kinda like a plane, too – I think it’s the color scheme? Also I’m not a regular Shinkansen rider, and the trains around here don’t look quite so clean and white haha
I hope you had a wonderful time at the Dominican Republic. And welcome back :)
I’m really liking the Tokyo Souvenir plush. I’ve always wanted the Marunouchi but I haven’t been able to get it. I’m pretty close to caving in and buying the Tokyo one! But I’m also in love with one of the Dr. Yellow plushies haha.
The design for Shinkasen reminds me a bit of a pillow pet, lol. It made me think about how adorable Rilakkuma pillow pets would be.
Oh yeah, they do kinda look like pillow pets! I ordered the big version too, and that one seems super pillow pet like haha. I really love the train design though, I think it’s so creative!
I’m getting the Tokyo Souvenir one! This month has been tough on my wallet since I have a hard time saying no to the souvenir/train/space lines hahaha.
Hi have you heard any news about release dates for the Rilakkuma cat series? I’m gonna be in Tokyo early October and I so hope that’s when they’ll be released *fingers crossed*
I’m excited for that release, too! Haven’t heard anything official, but last year, the series also slated for October (the Happy Natural Time Series) came out around October 12!
If I am not mistaken, the month on the catalogue for the cat series was for the November month. But please if you can, do double check.:)) All the best!! Happy shopping!!!
Hello Joyce!! I have been told that the cat series should be out in October. Sorry! Error on my part. But the exact date am not sure though. You must be so excited! Good luck!! 😊