
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
Behold the cycle of life with new Japanese plushie sets depicting the food chain and more
Adorable dog plushie from Japan looks 100-percent like actual dog, but nothing like you’d expect
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
How lucky are the themed retro video game lucky bags from this shop in the Tokyo boonies?
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Japanese Prime Minister once criticized deploying military to fight Godzilla
A visit to Tokyo’s fanciest coffeehouse for a 16,200 yen (US$143) bottle of coffee【Pics】
Cast of this summer’s live-action Naruto stage play looks more awesome than ever in new photos
Flower Ice Cream becomes Japan’s newest breathtaking dessert
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
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!
Leave a Reply