The most special part of the Izu Teddy Bear Museum is the My Neighbor Totoro-themed exhibit on the second floor, officially licensed by Studio Ghibli. It recreates many classic scenes from the movie. I originally came for the Catbus. The Ghibli Museum also has a Catbus, but only kids can go inside. Here, even adults can sit in it and take photos, which is awesome!
Near the exit, there’s also a whole row of “Teddy Bear Shrine” displays. From the torii gate and worship hall to the shrine maiden teddy bears, everything is really well done. It’s a fun mix of foreign teddy bear culture and Japanese shrine elements.
The first floor mainly introduces the history of teddy bears and displays collections from around the world. The highlight is the “Teddy Bear Train.” The scene inside the train car feels a bit like the banquet in Titanic, just set on a train. At certain times, the bears even dance together. When I visited, it happened to be Girls’ Day, so they also had a teddy bear version of a traditional hina doll display.
The museum isn’t huge, but everything from the indoor exhibits to the outdoor decorations is put together with a lot of care. The ticket price is a little on the high side, but overall, it’s still well worth visiting.
Izu Teddy Bear Museum | Review by Holly
Other Reviews by Holly
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Yasui Konpiragu
Located in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, the shrine venerates Emperor Sutoku, Minamoto no Yorimasa, and the major deity from Kotohira Shrine in Sanuki. It has long been affectionately known as "Yasui no Konpira-san."
I’ve been to Yasui Konpiragu three times, and I have to say, at least from my own experience, it really does feel quite powerful. Because of that, I think it’s important to be very clear when making a wish here. It’s best to write down exactly what bad ties you want to cut, and what kind of outcome you hope to welcome afterward.
The first two times I visited, I happened to be in situations where I wanted to leave my job but couldn’t seem to make it happen. After visiting the shrine, I was able to resign successfully in about two weeks. Of course, it may have just been a coincidence in timing, but having similar experiences twice in a row left a strong impression on me.
That said, Emperor Sutoku, who is enshrined at Yasui Konpiragu, is also strongly associated with vengeful spirits in Japanese history and legend, so the atmosphere of the shrine definitely feels unique. If you’re sensitive to the energy or atmosphere of shrines and spaces, it may be worth checking in with yourself before visiting.
For me, Yasui Konpiragu is not just Kyoto’s famous “shrine for cutting ties.” It’s also a place to visit when you want to end a relationship, job, or phase of life and open the door to new connections. So whenever I have time in my Kyoto itinerary, I make a point of going there to pray. -
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Ohara Museum of Art
Ohara Museum of Art is housed in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and has on display a collection of modern and contemporary art works. In 1930, Ohara Magozaburo, a local businessman, established this nation’s first private museum for western arts.
I originally planned my visit to the Ohara Museum of Art just to see Monet’s Water Lilies. But once I stepped inside, I realized that what makes this museum truly captivating isn’t just its famous collection, but the different feelings each work evokes in person. From Torajiro Kojima’s oil paintings capturing the beauty of kimono, to the quiet, almost absent atmosphere of Little Table at Dusk, the bright and lively colors of Canal in Auvers, and a large painting of death that felt deeply unsettling yet impossible to forget, the Ohara Museum of Art left a much stronger impression than I expected.
The museum building has a classical feel, almost like a Greek temple. Surprisingly, it blends beautifully with Kurashiki’s white-walled streetscape. After visiting, you can also sit down and relax with coffee at the nearby café thoughtfully opened by the founder. For anyone who loves Western art, this museum is absolutely worth a visit. -
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Naminoue Shrine
As the name implies, this ancient shrine stands on a quay overhanging the blue sea, and is affectionately known as "Nanmin-san" by the local people.
Naminoue Shrine is located on a seaside hill in Naha. Inside the grounds, you’ll see plenty of banyan trees, Okinawan-style tiled roofs, and tropical greenery. The overall atmosphere feels completely different from the shrines commonly seen on Japan’s main islands. The banyan trees, sea breeze, Okinawan roof tiles, and coastal setting give this shrine a distinct southern island character.
You do have to climb a rather unappealing slope on the way there, but I still thought it was a great visit. No wonder Japanese visitors feel like they’re traveling abroad when they come to Okinawa. It really has a completely different charm from mainland shrines. -
