
If you or someone you know is expecting or has just given birth to a tiny person, and you’re looking for a gift that’s both cute and a little bit quirky, we may have the perfect item for you right here: Japanese online retailer Akasugu has just announced that it is now stocking baby and maternity items featuring collaborative designs between Japan’s Hello Kitty and classic kids’ picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is known and loved all over the world, and has been translated into more than 50 languages. It’s such a simple tale, and yet its art style and the way that the book’s pages appear to have been munched through by the titular caterpillar (or aomushi in Japanese) still manage to bring smiles to kids’ faces today.
Quite why Kitty-chan is hanging around with this peckish little squirmer we’re not sure, but we have to admit this is a pretty unique collaboration!
The store is currently offering up a special deodorising diaper/nappy pouch, designed to help reduce nasty smells while bringing the cute.
The pouch features Eric Carle’s caterpillar as we know and love him, but also Hello Kitty – complete with ribbon, of course – in various stages of insect growth, going from cocoon to beautiful cat-headed butterfly. Kind of freaky, we agree, but there’s still something undeniably charming about these designs, and we’re glad to see them reproduce Carle’s art style so accurately.
The pouches are on sale from today, so head over to Akasugu (Japanese only, sorry!) if you’re interested in picking one up. Somehow we have a feeling this isn’t the last quirky collaboration between the two kids’ favourites we’ll be seeing.



Pop-up “Very Hungry Caterpillar” cafe now open in Tokyo, very hungry fans rejoice
McDonald’s Japan’s Very Hungry Caterpillar Happy Meal toys are very cute【Photos】
Hello Kitty collab with coffee shop Doutor offering tasty, kawaii treats, limited-edition goods
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
A gourmet family restaurant? Six reasons why you should go to a Denny’s in Japan
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Tried-and-tested ways to learn Japanese while having fun!
What exactly is the treat known as a “kougnané” that’s sold outside Tokyo’s Yurakucho Station?
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says