There may not be a Year of the Bear, but Eto Pooh is an annual tradition for Disney fans in Japan.
daruma
Creative touches appeared to cause culture shock for four-legged competitors in equestrian event.
You can always count on cool drinkware, cute plushies, and free coffee from Starbucks Japan at New Year’s.
Mt Fuji, daruma dolls, and zodiac year motifs are just some of the images featured in this limited-edition Japanese collection.
Mickey, Minnie, Pooh, and even Baymax turn into traditional symbols of good luck and the Chinese Zodiac to help ring in 2020.
Japan is a country that really values tradition, but that doesn’t mean that traditional culture is completely sacrosanct either. Giving something old and iconic a tongue-in-cheek modern twist is a popular approach in art and commerce, with results at once familiar and jarring enough to be eye catching.
Like these daruma, spotted at Tokyo Design Week, with outrageous paint jobs and wearing some rather tasty-looking headgear.
Daruma are a kind of roly-poly wishing doll in Japanese Buddhism. You draw one eye in while making a wish, and then fill in the other when your wish comes true. Given their sweet purpose and blob-like shape, traditional daruma are already pretty charming, but a woodcarving shop in Kagawa Prefecture has found a pop makeover makes them even more attractive, so much so that there is a 3-year waiting list to get one!
Little, fat, round, lucky – Daruma dolls are an instantly recognisable Japanese trinket that also serve as a source of inspiration, encouraging people to achieve their goals. Daruma dolls usually come with two blank white eyes. You paint on one eye as you set yourself an objective (pass an exam, get a promotion, etc) and then paint on the second eye once you achieve your goal. As such, Daruma are a popular gift given to students cramming for exam season. But wouldn’t it be amazing if you could buy a Daruma doll crafted in the likeness of your own ugly face? Well, now you can, and what’s more – they’re three dimensional!
If you’re looking for a unique Japanese gift that’s light in your luggage but heavy in tradition, then this is the item for you. It’s called the KD Daruma (Knock-Down Daruma) and it’s modelled on the centuries-old, round, good-luck talisman which symbolises Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. This modern take on the daruma features a flat-pack design and clever assembly so unusual it’s just been awarded first prize as Japan’s most fascinating souvenir in a competition held by the Japan Tourism Agency. We take a closer look at the details to see what makes this little novelty so charming.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Man in Japan takes four parakeets hostage in attempt to force woman to meet with him
Blowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Swapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Does this Dormy Inn near Mt. Fuji offer the best business hotel breakfast in all of Japan?
Godiva Dessert joins the cute crepe game in Harajuku
Camera crew visits the abandoned town that inspired Japanese survival horror game “Siren”【Video】
Weekly
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Monthly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima- Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon- New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Yearly
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
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Swapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Does this Dormy Inn near Mt. Fuji offer the best business hotel breakfast in all of Japan?
Godiva Dessert joins the cute crepe game in Harajuku
Camera crew visits the abandoned town that inspired Japanese survival horror game “Siren”【Video】
Naruto jerseys coming to Major Leage Baseball theme nights, Hello Kitty to take over a field
Here’s the Studio Ghibli cookbook recipe to make Lin’s Spirited Away sweets she gave to Chihiro
Tokyo travel hack: How to enjoy a free sightseeing boat tour around Tokyo Bay
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Crafting an easy hands-free umbrella with a few ordinary household items
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
New Studio Ghibli exhibition brings anime movie magic to cities around Japan
-
