Rilakkuma: The Relax Bear.

Have you seen this bear before?

Or are you familiar with Rilakkuma?

If you have been to Japan, you must have seen them because they are everywhere. You can see them at any convenience store, souvenir shops, restaurants and even at the stations. I’m already seeing these cute bear  (there’s a white one, korilakkuma) but I only started noticing them when Iza got addicted to them. She started collecting things with Rilakkuma on it, her utensils, her chopsticks, her bag, her phone case and so on. I also found out that it is really popular here.

Rilakkuma’s name is a combination of リラックス rirakkusu, a Japanese transliteration of the English word “relax”, and クマ（熊）kuma, the Japanese word for “bear“. Rilakkuma’s origin story is that he mysteriously appears in the office lady Kaoru’s apartment one day. He is a soft toy bear who has apparently decided to take up residence there. On his back there is a zipper which when opened reveals a light blue polka dot patterned material. The reason for the zipper on his back is unknown.

He was first seen in a series of picture books called Rilakkuma Seikatsu produced by San-X but since has become equally popular as a soft-toy character. In the picture books, he is often seen dressed up in a variety of costumes such as a kappa costume. In addition, it is implied that even in his usual appearance, his entire lower body is a costume, which he will often replace when it gets old or dirty (Rilakkuma is frequently seen sitting around waiting for suits that look exactly like him to dry on the clothes line). However, it is not clear whether his head is also part of his costume.

When Iza went to Osaka, she gave me this cute keychain as omeyage (souvenir), and guess what – it’s a Rilakkuma and it’s holding a takoyaki which will always reminds me of her and our favorite food. TAKOYAKI!!!!

It’s really cute and small, it’s as big as my apartment’s key. Yep. That’s my key.

Before she leaves Japan, I will give this cute pair of slippers to her and a small pillow so she can hug it when she misses me, because it would be weird if she’s hugging a pair of slippers lol.

Do you think she’ll like it? I was thinking of a bear or a big pillow like my monster alien but I was thinking how she would bring them to Germany. I don’t wanna think of her leaving soon but I guess that’s how life is, but I am more grateful that I’ve met her and we became friends. I want to take her to Philippines because she loves beaches. She’s also inviting me to Germany but I can’t right now because I wanna go Korea first (oppa is life yah know).

Anyways, I’m sharing this small thing because I am very sentimental and I do appreciate everything, even a piece of pen (I was talking to boyfriend today and I was excitedly telling him how happy I am because of the pen I bought yesterday).

Bored Sensei -stress but happy 🙂

-リラックマ ラバーサンダル ブラウン系 レディースフリー 61696177 rilakkuma
￥ 907 🙂

 

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