What other travelers are saying about Izu Teddy Bear Museum, Ito
If you love teddy bears or plushies in general this is a great museum! There are many vintage and rare bears and the displays on the first floor are very detailed, interesting and cute! The top floor has a Totoro exhibition when I visited and there is also a workshop where you can make your own teddy bear. The highlight for me was seeing the vintage bears and also the garden cafe was very cute. You can have tea with a teddy and there’s also a small couch for a plushie you brought or bought to sit with you while you enjoy the cafe too!
The museum houses over 1,000 teddy bears from around the world, including rare antique Steiff bears from Germany dating back to the early 20th century and bears that once belonged to famous historical figures. The collection spans different eras and manufacturing traditions, offering both historical value for collectors and entertainment for casual visitors. Special exhibitions include collaborations with popular franchises like My Neighbor Totoro, featuring Studio Ghibli characters reimagined as teddy bears.
Yes, the museum operates a hands-on teddy bear-making workshop where visitors can create and customize their own bears. Participants stuff their bears, choose outfits and accessories, and take their creations home as unique souvenirs. This interactive experience is particularly popular with families and children, though adults also enjoy the activity. Workshop fees are separate from general admission.
Take the JR Tokaido Line from Tokyo to Atami Station, then transfer to the Ito Line to Ito Station—the total train journey takes approximately 90 minutes. From Ito Station, the museum is about 10 minutes away by local bus or taxi. If driving, take the Tomei Expressway and Route 135 south for roughly two hours from central Tokyo. The museum's location on the Izu Peninsula makes it easy to combine with visits to nearby hot spring resorts.
General admission is ¥1,500 for adults and ¥800 for children. Group discounts are available for parties of 15 or more people. The teddy bear-making workshop requires an additional fee beyond the entrance ticket. The museum shop and café do not require admission tickets and can be visited separately.
Yes, the museum appeals to a wide audience beyond families with children. Teddy bear collectors appreciate the rare antique pieces and limited-edition artist bears on display, while fans of Japanese pop culture enjoy the Studio Ghibli exhibitions. The museum's café offers a relaxing atmosphere with scenic views, and the facility serves as a charming stop during Izu Peninsula tours. Many adult visitors come specifically to see the historical collection and purchase exclusive collectibles from the museum shop.
This was a delight, plenty of Toto for Ghibli fans, cute cafe where a teddy is sat waiting for you, pudding was delicious, brownie tiny but quite dark chocolate. Lots of photo oops too.
If you want to build a Totoro check timings for the workshops, think there was 3 a day. There's two gifts shops, the first upstairs then down to the next one.
Really good quality gifts, reasonably priced.
Very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on Izu, especially on a rainy day.
Three teenagers all enjoyed it.
The museum is so cute, it has a good mix of actual history on teddy bears and then unique/cute ones. Some amazing displays as well and a build a bear style workshop. There is also a really good selection of Ghibli items and scenes. Plenty of photo opportunities and they have a great bakery with some really cool cookies and sweets. Unfortunately I didn’t get to their tea room in enough time to try anything but the menu looks good.
Such a cute museum! The vibe, color and music make one so happy. This place warms my heart when I first entered the shop. The staff are all friendly. Stop by the cafe on the lower floor in Teddy’s Garden for some coffee/tea and desserts.
Cutest museum ever! The place was super cute and cozy, the teddy bears were surprisingly interesting and the Totoro exposition was perfect, they had a workshop where you can make your own teddy bear but you have to check the times before! I missed the workshop by 5 min 😭, but either way the expo was super fun to look at!
