The building was constructed specifically to house the collection, utilizing materials designed to resemble a 19th-century British manor.
The museum features a recurring collaboration exhibit focusing on the Japanese character 'My Neighbor Totoro'.
Many of the bears on display are hand-stitched by renowned international teddy bear artists.
The collection includes 'Teddy Girl', a replica of a famous 1904 bear that holds the record for the most expensive teddy bear ever sold at auction.
The Nasu Teddy Bear Museum is housed in a purpose-built two-story manor designed to evoke a European country estate. It features a collection of thousands of antique and contemporary teddy bears sourced from across the globe. The museum emphasizes the history of the stuffed toy, tracing its development from early 20th-century origins. Exhibits are arranged into immersive dioramas depicting bears in various human-like social scenarios and historic settings. A significant portion of the display includes rare collector items from famous manufacturers like Steiff. Visitors walk through themed rooms that move from historical displays to modern pop-culture interpretations. The facility includes an on-site cafe and a shop specializing in high-quality plush merchandise. The museum grounds include landscaped gardens maintained in a traditional English cottage style.
The life-sized teddy bear display located in the main grand hall entrance.
Check the official website for current special exhibition themes before arriving, as they rotate seasonally.
The museum shop stocks limited-edition items not found in standard toy stores.
Budget extra time to explore the garden area if the weather is favorable.
Avoid visiting during Japanese national holidays like Golden Week, when the narrow approach roads suffer from severe traffic congestion.
Closed on Tuesdays (except when falling on national holidays); closed during specific maintenance periods in January.
