Tokyo Station 7th Anniversary NYC Rilakkuma Plush!

Rilakkuma visits the Big Apple! Check out this NYC Rilakkuma design from Tokyo Station’s 7th Anniversary celebration!

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 7th Anniversary - New York City NYC - Statue of Liberty - 東京駅店7周年は 「アメリカNY」 ぬいぐるみ - full

Hello, Statue of Liberty Rilakkuma!

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 7th Anniversary - New York City NYC - Statue of Liberty - 東京駅店7周年は 「アメリカNY」 ぬいぐるみ - sign detail

A kuma’s take on Statue of Liberty’s tabula ansata: with a variation on the classic “I ❤ NY” sign!

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 7th Anniversary - New York City NYC - Statue of Liberty - 東京駅店7周年は 「アメリカNY」 ぬいぐるみ - logo detail

Even the Rilakkuma Store logo has a Statue of Liberty crown! Rilakkuma’s flowing robe also has small white bear shape details.

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 7th Anniversary - New York City NYC - Statue of Liberty - 東京駅店7周年は 「アメリカNY」 ぬいぐるみ - ice cream torch detail

Rilakkuma’s torch is actually an ice cream with strawberry sauce!

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 7th Anniversary - New York City NYC - Statue of Liberty - 東京駅店7周年は 「アメリカNY」 ぬいぐるみ - crown detail

A beautiful diadem with a silver bear detail at the base. Like the Statue of Liberty itself, Rilakkuma’s crown also has 7 rays, symbolizing the sun, 7 seas, and 7 continents.

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 7th Anniversary - New York City NYC - Statue of Liberty - 東京駅店7周年は 「アメリカNY」 ぬいぐるみ - tail detail

My favorite detail of them all: the hot dog motif with “R” in mustard cleverly hidden on his tail! And a pretty Tokyo Station 7th anniversary ribbon, too.

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 7th Anniversary - New York City NYC - Statue of Liberty - 東京駅店7周年は 「アメリカNY」 ぬいぐるみ - tag art

Tag art: a tasty, plump hot dog, a perfect symbol for NYC that Rilakkuma would enjoy!

Wow, what an amazingly detailed design to celebrate the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store’s 7th Anniversary! This patriotic Rilakkuma came out in February 2016, as part of the Rilakkuma World Tour anniversary theme. He joins the Wild West Rilakkuma crew (who I will post about soon, too, promise!) as the newest addition to my “American” Rilakkuma collection.

The Statue of Liberty is an incredibly meaningful symbol of freedom for us here in America. It is so fitting that the Tokyo Station Anniversary team selected NYC to represent them on Rilakkuma’s world tour this year, as both Tokyo and New York City are bustling cities that embody the metropolitan lifestyle of their respective nations. From the homage to Bartholdi’s original vision to a nod to contemporary NYC (hot dogs, I ❤ NY), this Rilakkuma plush design offers such a unique take on a classic symbol, and I really appreciate the depth of detail that I have come to expect from San-X plushies.

What else is fresh in the Rilakkuma-verse?

If you find yourself in Osaka this summer, you can relax at the Rilakkuma Cafe for a limited time only!

Rilakkuma Cafe - リラックマカフェ - dish

What a beautiful design featuring Koguma-chan, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori!

Rilakkuma Cafe - リラックマカフェ - goods

Rilakkuma Cafe goods! Plate: 1,080円. Notebook & pen set: 680円.

Opening on May 25, this cute cafe will offer a Rilakkuma-themed menu with special Rilakkuma Cafe goods – don’t miss out! I think their paper napkins are especially great, and I love how Koguma-chan is prominently featured!

I’ve always wanted to go to a Rilakkuma-themed restaurant! Japan often features seasonal Rilakkuma pop-ups for a limited time, and Taipei has a permanent Rilakkuma Cafe – I’ve always wanted to go! Maybe I can make my way to Taiwan sometime in my future.

Also, a sneak peek into the upcoming Teahouse series!

Teahouse Series - standard full

A multicolored dango theme with removable hoodie!

Teahouse series - jumbo

A jumbo Rilakkuma dango, how cute!!

Anticipated to be released this July! So look forward to this cute (and convertible!) design and more to come! I’ll post more information as soon as I learn more!

Back in the real world, I just finished my third year of medical school! After my super intense surgery rotation, I now have two major national board exams to take before I begin my 4th year of medical school – exciting but exhausting!

What are your plans for the summer?

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive!

So excited to share the Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive plush set today!

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive スぺシャルネコぬいぐるみ - full

All together, they make a super cute Rilakkuma kitty tower! Their promotional page always has them side-by-side, but I love them as a tower too!

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive スぺシャルネコぬいぐるみ - Rilakkuma

Rilakkuma and his kitten pal are separate from Korilakkuma and her kitten!

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive スぺシャルネコぬいぐるみ - Rilakkuma kitten detail

Rilakkuma’s brown kitten is a little sleepy! Though taken out of context haha I think he looks a little smug.

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive スぺシャルネコぬいぐるみ - paw pad

I love the paw pad detail!

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive スぺシャルネコぬいぐるみ - bottom view

Bottom view to better highlight the snuggly shape!

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive スぺシャルネコぬいぐるみ - Korilakkuma

Korilakkuma dresses up as a brown cat, with her own white kitten!

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive スぺシャルネコぬいぐるみ - Korilakkuma kitten detail

Korilakkuma’s kitten has lovely fluffy whiskers just like she does!

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive スぺシャルネコぬいぐるみ - bow detail

Cute matching red bows on the back!

Rilakkuma Cat Series Net Shop Exclusive スぺシャルネコぬいぐるみ - tag art

Tag art replaced Korilakkuma’s kitten with Kiiroitori!

What I love most about this plush set is that they both fit snugly on one’s lap! This plush set was particularly exciting for my family because many of us are allergic to cats hahaha so this is as close as we can get to having cats of our own!

There are lots of great details like the bells on each of them, and the matching motifs: Rilakkuma/Korilakkuma and their respective kittens have matching whisker designs (two lines on each side for Rilakkuma, and generously fluffy ones for Korilakkuma), and Korilakkuma has a matching ribbon design with her kitten.

Also very interesting that Rilakkuma’s cat costume is that of a Calico cat, which are almost exclusively female due to a biological phenomenon called X-inactivation. The genetics behind their color patterning is really elegant, and I love that it’s represented in this Rilakkuma plush!

I preordered this cuddly set back in October 2015, so it’s great to see them after a long wait! These super cute cat-kumas were a Net Shop exclusive design released in the second iteration of the Rilakkuma Cats Series in October 2015.

Elsewhere in the Rilakkuma world, there are lots of cute new additions, here’s what I’m looking forward to:

Tokyo Station 7th Anniversary: On February 11, the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store celebrated their 7th anniversary with a New York themed Rilakkuma plush set! I think it’s very fitting because Tokyo definitely has the hustle and bustle feel just like NYC! I ordered the Rilakkuma from this series and can’t wait to see him – I love that his “I <3 NY” sign has a bear shape in the place of a heart!

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 7th Anniversary - cover

Rilakkuma is front and center as the Statue of Liberty, and while I’m not sure what Korilakkuma and Kiiroitori are directly representing, they look like they’re ready to tour NYC! 1,580円 each.

Where would you like to see Rilakkuma and pals travel to next?

Introducing Koguma-chan (こぐまちゃん): In this new series called “Korilakkuma’s New Friend” (コリラックマと新しいお友達) to be released in March, Korilakkuma makes friends with a new little brown bear cub named Koguma-chan! I think this series and the marketing so far has been so great, though my favorite detail is Rilakkuma playing an ocarina in the middle of the woods while Korilakkuma is off making friends with new bears haha – I think personality-wise, it’s very fitting for each character. You can find an awesome translation of Koguma-chan’s story over at PescaMaryan’s blog! I ordered the medium Koguma-chan hehehe.

Korilakkuma's New Friend - Koguma full

Lots of different sized Koguma-chan plushes for your interest, each with a cute yellow bear motif on his paws and back! Mini hanging plush: 900円, Small: 1,200円, Medium: 2,300円.

Korilakkuma's New Friend - Rilakkuma Korilakkuma Kiiroitori set

Of course, Rilakkuma and pals are in on the fun too, and they are all dressed up as Koguma-chan with their own yellow honey motifs! 1,900円 each.

As for new additions, my wonderful aunt Lulu was able to secure a Rilakkuma Osechi playset! Lots of new Rilakkuma to look forward to, I just hope my schedule allows me to post more often!

Outside of Rilakkuma news, I rang in 2016 on my pediatrics rotation! I just took my final exam in pediatrics yesterday, and will be starting my 3 month surgery rotation next week. My schedule just keeps getting busier and busier, but nothing like shelves stuffed full of Rilakkuma plush to help me relieve the stress!

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? Simon and I will be going to a restaurant called Soco for a dinner date – yum!

Happy Lunar New Year!

Valentine's Day

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Hope it was full of bears, whether they were Rilakkuma bears or gummy bears hahaha.

Wow, it’s really been so long since I’ve posted! Medical school has really been a whirlwind lately: I’m almost done with my coursework for this year, and will be taking my first national board exam at the end of April!! Apologies for the spottiness in posting, but school comes first right now!

By the way…

Instagram - Rilakkuma Lifestyle

Rilakkuma for your daily life!

You can catch me on Instagram when I’m not posting here! Recently, I haven’t had long stretches of time where I could sit down for an hour or two to write these posts on WordPress, but do get a chance to snap a quick shot of some Rilakkumas from my collection for Instagram. Check it out!

In the meantime, whoa there’s been a lot going on in the Rilakkuma World! Let’s run through some highlights!

Fresh Lemon Series - cover

Hello, Lemon Rilakkuma!

Fresh Lemon Series - standard release

Super cute farmers for the standard release! 1,900円 each.

Fresh Lemon Series - Rilakkuma Store Exclusive

For the Rilakkuma Store Exclusive, Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma turn into… lemon/bee hybrids!? And Kiiroitori shapeshifts into a lemon hehehe. Love their poses! 1,780円 each.

Fresh Lemon Series - hanging charms

Another Rilakkuma Store exclusive: lovely hanging charms featuring the whole team inside of lemons! 1,380円 each.

lemon-5

For Caravan: a sitting Rilakkuma with a lemon hat and a Kiiroitori lemon! 1,800円.

Fresh Lemon Series (フレッシュレモン) – March 2015

Wow, what an incredibly detailed line to ring in the spring season! The illustrations are beautiful as always, and I love the creativity they’ve brought into their designs! I absolutely love that they actually morphed Kiiroitori into a lemon shape for the Store Exclusive Series hehehe, and then completely transformed him into an entire lemon for the Caravan plushie! Kinda reminds me of those Animorphs book covers haha.

I think I’m going to pick up at least one of the plushies from this series, just haven’t decided yet! I use lemons enough in my daily eating and tea-drinking so I should probably get a Rilakkuma tribute for that hehe.

Mochi Series - full

Plushies from all sorts of famous San-X lines! 600円 each.

Mochie Series - Rilakkuma close up

Wow!! Check out this ultra-cute photo taken by the San-X Net Shop!

Mochi Series – February 2015

Hahaha they remind me a lot of Disney Tsum Tsums! Really cute, and I love how round and squishable they look! I have a really big Winnie the Pooh Tsum Tsum so I’d really love to get a really big mochi Rilakkuma to match too – hope they come out with larger sizes soon!

Valentine's Day 2015 - full

What a lovely bouquet of hearts! Korilakkuma got all pink hearts hehehe. 1,780円 each.

Valentines Day 2015 Series – February 2015

These lovely plushies came out just in time for Valentine’s Day this year! I always love these holiday-themed sets, and I especially love the little “I love” tag attached to their fabric tag – such a romantic detail!

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 6th Anniversary - cover

Traveling in style! 1,500円 each.

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store 6th Anniversary Series – February 2015

Whoa! Can you believe the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store has been open for 6 years already? The Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store was actually the first Rilakkuma I visited, back in 2013, so it holds a special place in my heart!

The whole crew looks super fashionable and ready to travel in style! What an appropriate design for Tokyo Station, since it’s such a travel hotspot! I have to admit, it was hard transitioning from the standard sized plushies they used to release for the store anniversaries, but since getting mini-plushies such as the plushies from the Vegetable Series, the JINS PC series, and the Factory Series I’ve really warmed up to this mini-style of Rilakkuma plush!

Fukuoka 5th Anniversary - cover

Yum, looks delicious! 1,580円 each.

Fukuoka Rilakkuma Store 5th Anniversary Series – March 2015

What a beautifully detailed anniversary series! This year’s Fukuoka anniversary series is mentaiko themed! Mentaiko (明太子) is marinated pollock and cod roe, and is the most popular souvenir from Fukuoka! It’s a popular complement to noodle dishes (like this Rilakkuma plush), with rice, or on its own (like Korilakkuma’s!). Perfect as this year’s anniversary plush!

I love learning about Japanese food and culture through Rilakkuma plushies! I might want to pick up the Rilakkuma from this line if I do well on my next exam – his noodle bowl looks delicious!!

So what do YOU think? Any of these bears catching your eye?

 

Marunouchi Rilakkuma Plushie!

It’s been just about a year since I first visited  Japan, and I miss seeing Rilakkuma at every corner!

To commemorate, take a look at this Marunouchi Rilakkuma!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma  - full

What a dapper bear!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - camera detail

Equipped with a fancy camera, and ready to shoot!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - shirt detail

Shirt design behind the camera – see the resemblance to the Marunouchi gate at Tokyo Station?

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - back detail

And a lovely shoutout to the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store at the back of the shirt!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - tag art

Tag art with the same design as the t-shirt!

Marunouchi Rilakkuma - with Yamanote Fan

Rilakkuma camera fans! Featuring Yamanote Fan Rilakkuma :3

Picture perfect!

This Rilakkuma was released as a part of the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store’s 5th anniversary celebration this past February! Such an adorable nod to the local sights and history of Tokyo Station – and so perfect and meaningful for this Rilakkuma Store’s 5th anniversary!

This plushie has a beautiful depiction of the Marunouchi gate of Tokyo Station, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store! Ariel from Rilakkuma Desu has a great photo of her Marunouchi Rilakkuma in front of the gate – super cute, be sure to check it out!

Tokyo’s commercial and financial district, Marunouchi (丸の内) means “inside the circle”, which refers to its location inside the outer moat of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. A very logical name, I think.

In other news, I’m gonna start working on making a comprehensive collection page for the Rilakkuma plushies I’ve had the honor of featuring on this blog! I’m gonna spend some time really thinking about how I want to organize them all, but welcome to suggestions, too! I was thinking about ordering them by release date, but it’s still up in the air.

Also!

Happy father’s day to all the fathers out there! <3

My dad has been super supportive of my Rilakkuma collection, and I’m so thankful! I am super happy to know that he wears his Rilakkuma shorts with pride :D Collecting Rilakkuma is so fun with the support of your family!

Now that it’s summer break, I’m definitely enjoying spending more time with my family (and my Rilakkuma family)!

Tokyo Station Rilakkuma Store Opening Plushie!

Since things are kind of quiet on the Rilakkuma plushie front recently (well, except for the Yamanote release), I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at the older series on the Japanese auctions!

After compiling my Rilakkuma Reference Sheet, I was so excited to see and recognize so many of the plushies up for bid! It’s so exhilarating to recognize really old series and rare finds!

So check out my newest addition: the Rilakkuma Strawberry Car!

Tokyo Station Opening - full

The cars are all separate plushies, and can be connected into one big car by little snaps!

Tokyo Station 1st Anniversary - Kiiroitori

Kiiroitori leads the way with a Rilakkuma steering wheel!

Tokyo Station Opening - Korilakkuma

Kiiroitori and Korilakkuma’s seats are lined with pink satin.

Tokyo Station Opening - full

Rilakkuma doesn’t sit in a seat, but just kinda lays on top of the caboose.

Tokyo Station Opening - box

They also came in this wacky but somewhat appropriate Kumamon box that shows different faces of Kumamon (mascot of the Kumamoto prefecture, not the Digimon) depending on which flap is showing.

This plushie came out in February 20, 2009 – at the opening of the 2nd ever Rilakkuma Store at Tokyo Station, which also happens to be the first Rilakkuma Store I’ve ever been to :D

This release coincided with the Rilakkuma theme at the time, the Strawberry Series.

I find this set so interesting since this was one of the earliest Rilakkuma Store-specific plushies! It’s so wild that there have been six new Rilakkuma Stores that have appeared since this plushie came out. As of right now, this is my oldest plushie!!

Also, since my entire family was together the other week, we snapped a Rilakkuma family reunion photo:

Rilakkuma Family Reunion

It seems like there are so many when they’re pulled out of their boxes!

Though I JUST got another shipment sooo… haha this isn’t even the most updated family portrait, but it’s as good as it’ll get!

Wow, I can’t believe it hasn’t even been a year since I started collecting!