Is Izu Teddy Bear Museum Worth It? 5 Free Spots! 🧸🍃
Step into a Studio Ghibli fairytale without spending a single dime🌳
Hello everyone ~ It’s Hattie 💛 When you think of planning a trip to the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka, Japan, what instantly comes to mind? Probably relaxing in a stunning onsen (hot spring) or taking in those gorgeous coastal ocean views, right? But today, I am so excited to share a dreamy, ridiculously kawaii spot that I am personally obsessed with, and honestly, I couldn’t bear to leave! Welcome to the magical world of the Izu Teddy Bear Museum (伊豆テディベア・ミュージアム) 🧸✨
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Hattie, a Teddy Bear Museum?” But hear me out! While this place is famous for its vintage bears, the real reason I dragged myself here was for the spectacular, officially licensed Studio Ghibli & My Neighbor Totoro Exhibit! If you are a massive Studio Ghibli fan like me, this is an absolute must-visit pilgrimage spot for your Japan itinerary 🌳.
By the time my travel buddies and I arrived, the museum was creeping dangerously close to closing time, so we decided to skip buying tickets for the indoor exhibit. But plot twist! You absolutely do not need a ticket to experience the magic! The outdoor garden, the aesthetic cafe, and the souvenir shop (which totally emptied my wallet, no regrets) are completely free to enter and explore.
Grab your iced matcha, and let’s dive into my ultimate guide on how to experience the best of this Studio Ghibli wonderland on a budget! ✨
📸 The “No Ticket, No Problem” Strategy: 5 Free Outdoor Photo Spots
Do not let the lack of an admission ticket fool you; the exterior of this museum is giving major main-character energy. Strolling through the European-style gardens, you’ll find surprises tucked into every corner. Pro-tip: Make sure your phone and camera are fully charged because the photo ops are endless! 👇
🏰 1. The Welcome Catbus 🐱🚌
Right at the main entrance, perched perfectly on a rustic red brick pillar, is the most iconic greeter you could ask for: a grinning Catbus! Its huge, signature smile instantly sets the mood for the whole visit. It’s practically begging you to snap a selfie before you even step foot onto the grounds!
🌳 2. Giant Teddy Bear Chilling Under the Tree
If you want to capture that perfect, breezy, romantic summer-in-Japan aesthetic, this spot is everything. Nestled under a massive shade tree, there is a giant, fluffy Teddy Bear just lazily swinging on a wooden swing. It looks so incredibly cozy and relaxed that just looking at it makes the intense Japanese summer heat feel a little more bearable 🍃
🧸 3. The Garden’s Secret Mini Catbus 🌲😺
Taking a stroll through the museum’s lush, manicured garden is like going on a little treasure hunt. Tucked away in a quiet, leafy corner, you’ll stumble upon a mini version of the Catbus resting on a wooden stump. It’s such a cute, intimate spot to get up close and personal with a classic Ghibli character without fighting a crowd of tourists.
🚌 4. The Star of the Show: The 3D Brick Wall Catbus
Okay, Ghibli girlies, prepare to scream! This was the absolute highlight for me. Embedded directly into the exterior red brick wall of the museum is a jaw-dropping, life-sized 3D Catbus! The craftsmanship is insane—the huge eyes, the fluffy multi-legged design—it’s a 100% accurate recreation of the movie.
You get the full Totoro special exhibit vibe without spending a single yen. This is hands down my #1 recommended photo spot! 🐈⬛💨 (And yes, my photographer forced me to do the pose here, which I will cherish forever).
💙 5. The Blue Totoro Tunnel for Little Explorers
Hidden away in the tall garden grass, the museum designed a tiny tunnel shaped like the blue medium Totoro! The scale is perfectly tailored for toddlers and young kids to crawl through and burn off some energy. Even though the “kid” in our group was technically way too big for it, he still insisted on wiggling through. It’s an adorable hidden gem for family photos 👶🌿
☕️ Teddy’s Garden Cafe: Aesthetic Afternoon Tea with a Bear
After all that posing and snapping, you’re going to need a sweet treat. You absolutely cannot skip the on-site Teddy’s Garden Cafe 🍰
This cafe serves up the most beautifully plated desserts, but the real stars are their handmade, bear-shaped cookies. They are so meticulously packaged that they make the perfect souvenir—if you can resist eating them on the train ride back to Tokyo! The whole interior is decorated in a warm, Japanese-countryside cottage core style, filled with delicate teddy bear figurines. If you love interior design or just appreciate beautiful packaging, you will get so much inspiration here 💡
⚠️ Hattie’s Travel Warning: The cafe actually closes earlier than the main museum! If you want to sit inside the glorious AC, don’t wait until the last minute.
But honestly? Sitting outside is even better! They have a gorgeous, leafy outdoor terrace, and here’s the best part: every single table has a giant plush teddy bear seated at it! You basically have a built-in lunch date. As a solo traveler, or even just someone who loves a cute aesthetic, having a bear keep you company while you sip your iced coffee is top-tier serotonin ☕️🧸
🛍️ The Danger Zone: A Studio Ghibli Shopping Paradise
Alright, brace yourselves (and your bank accounts), because the gift shop is the most dangerous place on the property 💸.
🐻 Exclusive Teddy Bear Souvenirs
This shop feels like a United Nations of Teddy Bears. Beyond the classic plushies, they stock these incredibly unique, highly aesthetic bears that I couldn’t even name but desperately wanted to buy. If you are a collector, you are going to lose your mind.
🌳 The Wallet-Draining Studio Ghibli Wall
As a die-hard Ghibli fan, I took one step into this section and immediately knew it was over for me. There is an entire, massive wall dedicated just to Totoro plushies! They have Big Totoro, Medium Totoro, Mini white Totoros, the Catbus, Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service, and even super rare Ponyo merch!
I was literally trapped in this corner, having an internal crisis. Why can’t I just buy the entire shelf and ship it back to the States? It was a painful battle of making choices, but I finally settled on a super unique Catbus plushie! It has a little pocket where you can actually stuff a mini Totoro inside it. Plucking the little Totoro in and out of the bus is incredibly satisfying and oddly therapeutic 😆
I was also this close to buying a plush Calcifer from Howl’s Moving Castle 🔥, but the Catbus won my heart. I also desperately wanted a Jiji cat sitting in a beautiful wire birdcage, but the rational side of my brain kicked in. Knowing how American airlines handle checked bags, I knew a 3D wire birdcage stuffed into my suitcase was a recipe for disaster. Look at me, being a responsible, mature adult! 😁✨
🚆 How to Get to Izu Teddy Bear Museum
Navigating rural Japan is easier than you think! Here is the breakdown:
🚉 By Public Transit (Train)
Take the scenic Izukyu Line and hop off at Izu-Kogen Station. From there, it’s an easy, breezy 9 to 10-minute walk to the museum. If you’re traveling with heavy bags or little ones, you can grab a taxi from the station, and it’ll drop you at the entrance in about 3 to 5 minutes.
We actually traveled here straight from Mount Omuro (we hopped on the bus at Sakura-no-Sato station). Walking in the blazing Japanese summer heat was a bit of a struggle, but the countryside views were stunning. You pass by these incredibly quaint, traditional Japanese restaurants, and the local flora is just so beautifully manicured. It felt like walking through an anime background 🌿
🚗 By Rental Car (Highly Recommended!)
Address/GPS: 1064-2 Yawatano, Ito, Shizuoka 413-0232, Japan
If you are renting a car in Japan (which I highly recommend for exploring outside of Tokyo), this is the easiest way to visit. The museum is incredibly tourist-friendly and offers 170 completely FREE parking spaces! Not having to stress about finding a tiny, expensive coin parking lot in Japan is a huge win for any road-tripping traveler 💯
🎫 Essential Info & Museum Hours
Ticket Prices (Only needed for the indoor exhibit):
Adults: ¥1,500
Junior High/High School Students: ¥1,000
Elementary Students: ¥800
Amazing Bonus: Toddlers and seniors over 75 get in completely FREE 🆓! It is so perfect for a multi-generational family trip.
Time Spent:
We spent about an hour just taking photos in the garden, visiting the cafe, and agonizing over our purchases in the gift shop 😂.
Hours of Operation:
09:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM).
Note: Closing days can change depending on the season, so definitely double-check their official website before you make the trek out there!
🌟 Hattie’s Final Thoughts & Itinerary Ideas
Even though I didn’t pay a dime to go inside the actual museum, I can confidently say that visiting the Izu Teddy Bear Museum was one of the highlights of my Shizuoka trip! Just wandering the aesthetic grounds, taking pictures with the Catbus, and browsing the Ghibli goods was worth the journey. If you love Studio Ghibli, you absolutely have to pin this location on your Google Maps right now!
Need a Day Trip Idea? Here is my exact route:
Mount Omuro (take the chairlift up the volcano!) ➡️ Izu Shaboten Zoo (see the capybaras taking hot baths!) ➡️ Izu Teddy Bear Museum.
The locations are super close to each other, making the pace of the day incredibly relaxing and low-stress. It’s the ultimate slow-travel itinerary for a perfect getaway from the neon lights of Tokyo 🎒
OOTD for Izu Teddy Bear Museum 🫧
🤍 White Maxi Dress: The ultimate natural reflector board for outdoor photos! It pops so well against nature.
👉Browse my curated list of flowy summer white dresses
👢 Western Cowboy Boots: Super sturdy, zero foot pain after walking all day, and instantly elevates any outfit!
👉 Shop my favorite high quality Western cowboy boots on Amazon!
✨ Gold Layering Necklace: I’ve worn this exact necklace for years through sweat and humidity—it never tarnishes or turns skin green!
👉 Grab the Madewell Gold Layered Necklace here for your everyday wardrobe!
💛 Hattie’s Choice｜ The Travel Essentials（Amazon edit）
💤 Fishers Finery 25 Momme Silk Mask
Say goodbye to that cheap, scratchy feel. The 25 momme thickness is a total game-changer for getting actual beauty sleep on a long-haul flight.👉click to shop
🕶️ Le Specs Outta Love Sunglasses
My ultimate “no-makeup” hack! Whether you just landed or you’re heading to the beach, this frame shape is so flattering on my face shapes.👉click to shop
🧳 Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale
A $10 gadget that saves you $100 in overweight fees. It comes with the battery included—total lifesaver for heavy packers like me!👉click to shop
🧻 Extra Large Floral Toilet Covers
These extra-large covers protect the entire seat, so you don’t have to worry about your skin (or your wide-leg pants or your kids) touching anything in public restrooms.👉click to shop
Cabin air is so drying, but this lip mask keeps my lips plump and hydrated all flight long. It’s pure luxury in a little jar.👉click to shop
One plug to charge them all. It’s fast, compact, and powers my phone, laptop, and headphones simultaneously.👉click to shop
The perfect detail for those “hand-holding-coffee” shots. It’s affordable, chic, and instantly elevates your vacation style.👉click to shop
The ultimate space-saver! These shrink your clothes so you can pack 30% more. Keeps your suitcase organized and chic.👉click to shop
📎 Perilogics Airplane Phone Holder
It’s a total hands-free essential for binging your favorite shows comfortably in the air.👉click to shop
📷Want to see more live updates from my Japan travels? I’ve archived everything from this trip into my Story Highlights! Although my travel funds are completely dried up for now 🥲 and my feed will mostly focus on daily outfits, if you’re looking for some travel outfit inspiration, come check out my instagram @hattiefoundthis! 👇✨
