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Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma & More! Kiddy Land Harajuku's 10 Most Popular Merch Among Foreign Visitors

Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma & More! Kiddy Land Harajuku's 10 Most Popular Merch Among Foreign Visitors

Date published: 23 January 2020

Since it opened in 1950 in Harajuku, Kiddy Land has been an Omotesando landmark loved by many. Each floor from the first to the fourth is full of items and characters popular both in Japan and abroad. This is a toy store where the child in you can always discover something new. In recent years an increasing number of foreign tourists come here to look for souvenirs and on the day we visited many could be seen entering when the store opened. In this article we would like to introduce those items which have been popular with people from abroad!

No. 1: “Hello Kitty Stuffed Toy Chirimen (crepe) Japanese Doll (M)” dressed in luxurious kimono

2,500 yen each (tax not included). (C)1976, 2018 SANRIO CO.,LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN (L)
2,500 yen each (tax not included). (C)1976, 2018 SANRIO CO.,LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN (L)
(C)1976, 2018 SANRIO CO.,LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN (L)
(C)1976, 2018 SANRIO CO.,LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN (L)

Hello Kitty is a purely Japanese stuffed toy. It also is dressed in an authentic kimono made of silk chirimen (crepe) fabric, which looks exceedingly smart on it. The kimono has an expensive, smooth feel in a pleasing design with a matching ribbon. The kimono comes in either pink or red.
■ Sales floor: 4th

No. 2: Soft and soothing to the touch “Rilakkuma Kuttari Stuffed Toy (S)”

No. 2: Soft and soothing to the touch “Rilakkuma Kuttari Stuffed Toy (S)”
1,300 yen each (tax not included). (C)2018 SAN-X CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
1,300 yen each (tax not included). (C)2018 SAN-X CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(C)2018 SAN-X CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(C)2018 SAN-X CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma of the kuttari stuffed toys series that feel so soft to the touch. Popular not only in Japan but throughout other countries in Asia as well, these are noted for their adorable facial expressions. They are so cute that you will always want them close to you. They come in sizes S, M, L, and LL.
■ Sales floor: 4th

No. 3: Just fits in the palm of your hand – “Sumikkogurashi Tenori Stuffed Toys”

480 yen each (tax not included). (C)2018 SAN-X CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
480 yen each (tax not included). (C)2018 SAN-X CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(C)2018 SAN-X CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(C)2018 SAN-X CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

“Sumikkogurashi” are characters created in 2012 along the theme of “preferring to sit in the corner”, a trait that is popular among Japanese. Their popularity has since spread to North America and Southeast Asia. They just fit in the palm of your hand and are ideal if you want something you can take everywhere with you. Whether a bear, cat, or penguin, you’ll find a lovable character among the wide selection offered. They are just the right size to fit in the corner of a school bag or to take with you on a trip.
■ Sales floor: 4th

No. 4: The perfect stuffed toy! “Disney Character Chokkorisan”

1,000 yen each (tax not included). (C)Disney (C)Disney/Pixar
1,000 yen each (tax not included). (C)Disney (C)Disney/Pixar
(C)Disney (C)Disney/Pixar
(C)Disney (C)Disney/Pixar

The “Chokkori” series fit in with other Disney characters and are cute little stuffed animals that sit very politely and in a variety of other poses. They are perfect for sitting on top of a desk or decorating a corner of a room for their presence brightens any space in which they are placed. Currently they are all the rage among brokers in Japan and as it has become popular to pose with them for commemorative photos, this has given rise to the expression nuitori which means a photo taken together with a stuffed toy. It is the perfect little friend to take with you on a trip and is very popular with foreign tourists. Why not snap a picture of yourself with one for your travel blog?
■ Sales floor: 2nd

No. 5: May the Force be with you! “Star Wars Space Opera” characters

2,700 yen each (tax not included). (C) & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.
2,700 yen each (tax not included). (C) & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

Bring the world of Star Wars into your room. Each character can say three lines and has three tunes, so when you press the button, the character marches to the sound of the music. When several characters are linked together they play a melody and march together which is quite impressive. A single character is a pleasure in itself, but gathering together five or more multiplies that pleasure that much more. Many foreigners especially seek out this item and the store has also been visited by actors who appeared in movies.
■ Sales floor: 3rd

No. 6: Becomes a piggy bank after you eat the contents! “Doraemon Fruit Jelly Piggy Bank”

1,200 yen each (tax not included). (C)Fujiko-Pro, Shogakukan, TV-Asahi, Shin-ei, and ADK
1,200 yen each (tax not included). (C)Fujiko-Pro, Shogakukan, TV-Asahi, Shin-ei, and ADK

This Doraemon doll stands about 23 cm tall and after you eat its delicious contents, can be used for decoration. Remove the head to get to the ten bite-sized pieces of fruit jelly inside. There are three flavors: mango, grape, and white peach. Once they have all been eaten, the doll makes a great piggy bank or secret place to store things – perfect for interiors!
■ Sales floor: 2nd

No. 7: Cute and lucky! “Miffy Fukudaruma Stuffed Toy”

1,500 yen (tax not included). (C) Mercis bv
1,500 yen (tax not included). (C) Mercis bv

The Daruma doll in Japan is said to bring good fortune and here it has been combined with Miffy. Not only is it very cute, but just possessing it may bring you good fortune. This is the perfect gift for that friend who works or studies hard and is sure to bring them pleasure. Miffy’s expression is indescribably cute. The S size is about 20 cm tall and there are other larger sizes, too!
■ Sales floor: 2nd

No. 8: Saving becomes fun with the “Pocket Monster Pikachu Bank”

2,900 yen (tax not included). ©Nintendo・Creatures・GAME FREAK・TV Tokyo・ShoPro・JR Kikaku ©Pokémon
2,900 yen (tax not included). ©Nintendo・Creatures・GAME FREAK・TV Tokyo・ShoPro・JR Kikaku ©Pokémon
©Nintendo・Creatures・GAME FREAK・TV Tokyo・ShoPro・JR Kikaku ©Pokémon
©Nintendo・Creatures・GAME FREAK・TV Tokyo・ShoPro・JR Kikaku ©Pokémon

This is the Pikachu piggy bank from the popular Pokemon series. If you place a coin on the round area, Pikachu speaks and takes the coin. It has 243 expressions, such as “Pikapika” and “Pikachu” that are randomly spoken. Enjoying this toy you will save up money before you even know it. The perfect gift for a child!
■ Sales floor: 3rd

No. 9: “kimmidoll” – the modern version of the traditional Japanese kokeshi doll.

900 yen (tax not included)
900 yen (tax not included)

The kokeshi is a traditional Japanese doll. It has a cylindrical body with a round head on top in a very simple style. Usually a girl in kimono is depicted. An Australian designer has made a modern version of it called the Kimmidoll. Each evokes the image of the traditional Japanese doll with its modern design. Word has it that owning one brings good luck which has helped to spread its popularity worldwide. There are more than 260 variations, each standing about 6 cm tall; that makes them perfect for keychains!
■ Sales floor: 1st

No. 10: The adorable “Solar Maiko-chan” that gently sways!

1,500 yen each (tax not included)
1,500 yen each (tax not included)

The gently swaying Maiko doll with lifted sleeve. When light hits its solar panel, the head and body begin to sway and move. Equipped with solar batteries there is no need for dry cell batteries. It will continue to move as long as there is light. In addition to Maiko, there are also sushi chef and sumo wrestler dolls, all dolls with a traditional Japanese theme.
■ Sales floor: 1st

Kiddy Land has long been a landmark in Harajuku and popular with foreign tourists. Its five floors are jam-packed with an amazing selection of popular Japanese character goods and toys. It is also a duty free shop which accounts for the many foreign visitors looking for souvenirs and gifts.

  • KIDDY LAND Harajuku
    KIDDY LAND Harajuku
    KIDDY LAND原宿店(キデイランド原宿店)
    • Address 6-1-9, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001, Japan
    • Nearest Station 3-minute walk from the No. 4 exit of the Meiji Jingu-mae Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
      7-minute walk from the Omotesando exit of JR Harajuku Station
      3-minute walk from the No. 7 exit of the Meiji Jingu-mae Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshi Line
    • Phone Number 03-3409-3431
    • Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Sat., Sun., holidays 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
      Closed: Open daily

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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