
People in Japan love their soft toys. And with so many cute characters to choose from, it’s easy to understand why. But with love comes a sense of responsibility, which means there will eventually come a time when your favourite stuffed character will have to face the wash. The only thing is, with their adorable, life-like expressions, a wash-and-dry for a stuffed toy ends up looking like a day at the spa followed by a visit to the amusement park!
Check out the adventures of some crazy Japanese plushies, as documented by their owners, after the jump.
Rilakkuma, whose name is a shortened form of relaxed kuma, or relaxed bear, is one of Japan’s most beloved characters. He certainly looks relaxed after a dip in the tub.
The face of a traumatised bear after a machine wash.
After a bath some Rilakkumas just want to hang out.
This little bear looks to be living in the lap of luxury. We all know the best way to dry is on a big towel in the sunshine!
Oh dear. Some relaxed bears get the bondage service and don’t end up looking relaxed at all. Hang in there, little buddy!
Other characters don’t seem to mind being hung out to dry. These two look like they’re training for a trapeze act, patiently waiting for the wind to give them some momentum.
Even Blue Slimes take a day off from the world of dragons for a bit of pampering. A good slime is a clean slime.
The doughnut chain Mister Donut has its own character mascot, the Pon de Lion. Pictured here next to his doughnut-shaped mane, he seems to be enjoying a ride on a carousel.
Don’t move! This capybara is known as Kapibara-san in Japan. And he has his eye on you.
Happy to be going on a ride on the carousel? Or sad to have her paws in clips? It’s a fine line between pleasure and pain.
Ah, the life of a plushie in Japan. With pictures these cute, we have a feeling this is only the beginning of a new photo craze in Japan. It might just be time to dig out that long-forgotten friend from the back of the closet and see what he looks like after a wash and dry.
Sources: CuRazy Naver Matome













Hang out at home with the giant life-sized Rilakkuma bear!
Death and torture: Photos of Japan’s plushies being washed are somehow terrifying【Pics】
Japanese “stuffed animal hospital” is the cutest way to refurbish your plushies we’ve ever seen
Japanese zoo’s monkey bonds with Ikea stuffed orangutang following abandonment by mother[Video]
Behold the cycle of life with new Japanese plushie sets depicting the food chain and more
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
All 47 Starbucks Japan’s local Jimoto Frappuccinos, ranked by calorie count, plus what each one is
“25 Potential Culture Shocks from around the World” infographic offers tidbits of travel wisdom
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time
Japan’s new luxury sightseeing train will show you part of the country most foreigners never see
Chiba man arrested for putting urine-filled tea bottle on convenience store shelf
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Adorable dog plushie from Japan looks 100-percent like actual dog, but nothing like you’d expect
This 100 yen store doggy brush perfectly revives scruffy plushies!
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
Studio Ghibli now sells plush toys seen on Howl’s bed from Howl’s Moving Castle
Two new fantasy creatures join the Funbaruzu posture-correcting plushie family
Only 75 of this gigantic anniversary Moomin plush from Japan will be made: get your orders in!
Pokémon fans startled to see Eevee looking super muscular in new merch photo
Have you ever noticed how much Totoro looks like New Year’s mochi? This plushie’s designers did, and the result is adorable!