Marutaro, Japan’s most beloved shiba inu, not only shares his name with a hedgehog — he also shares his nappy time with an adorable stuffed polar bear!
Marutaro
When we first met Marutaro the hedgehog last year, he was just about the cutest thing we’d seen in months. Now, over 12 months later, we have to say that’s still the case! And it looks like the adorable little spike ball is only getting more and more popular—popularity that we’d say is well deserved.
In case you haven’t been following Marutaro on Twitter, we’ve decided to round up a few of our new favorite photos and videos of the little guy being adorable, as well as some family photos. Get your fill of loveable cuteness below!
MOST POPULAR
Today
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Weekly
- Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
- The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
- Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
- Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!- Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]- Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
- Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Monthly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo- Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events- The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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- Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
49-year-old Japanese shut-in spends weeks living with corpse of mother who died at home
Live-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
Japan’s Mister Donut Japan tries its hand at Taiwanese-style street food donuts
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
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