Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan, is known for its traditions and 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, but it is also a great place for some very unique shopping.
When visiting Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, just three minutes away is a Chiikawa-themed store called Chiikawa Mogumogu Honpo that sells unique and original Chiikawa items!
Chiikawa is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nagano. Chiikawa is an abbreviation and means “‘”some kind of small and cute creature.” It started originally in January 2020 as a series on the social media platform Twitter (now known as X) and has continued to gain popularity. Although the manga series has sold over 3.6 million copies to date, it is not as well known in the United States.
The Chiikawa series is extremely popular in Japan because it contains themes of everyday challenges that are very relatable along with a super cute aesthetic. The main characters of the series are Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi who are all friends. Chiikawa is timid, sensitive and shy in many social situations but can also be brave. For example, Chiikawa will defend their friends from monsters. Chiikawa is a white animal with small round ears and a ball for a tail. Hachiware is cheerful, positive and extroverted. Hachiware will speak on their friends’ behalf. Hachiware is a white cat-like creature with blue ears and a blue tail. Usagi is fearless, has a big appetite and can be very mischevious. Usagi is a yellow rabbit with a cotton tail.
Due to the popularity of the series, many people in Japan like to collect Chiikawa-themed merchandise and head to the Chiiawa store to shop. The two-level Chiikawa Mogumogu Honpo store is overflowing with adorable merchandise of all kinds.
On the first floor, fans will find a Chiikawa stamp station to fill their stamp books. The walls are decorated with Chiikawa art and on the second floor, there is a Chiikawa statue for photo opportunities. They even have Chiikawa-themed snacks for purchase, including delicious matcha chocolate. Limited edition plushies, keychains, umbrellas and all kinds of adorable Chiikawa-themed items fill the store. Shoppers will experience an overload of cuteness!
One of the students who visited Chiikawa Mogumogu Honpo, Trinity Eilert, a digital media innovation junior, was amazed by all the Chiikawa merchandise.
“Oh my god,” Eilert said. “This place is perfect for a Chiikawa fan!”
Due to the store’s proximity to Fushimi Inari, Chiikawa wearing fox costumes are available at Chiikawa Mogumogu Honpo because foxes are believed to be messengers of Inari. Keychain Chiikawas cost on average between USD $14 and $17. Chiikawa T-shirts are USD $21.
Like many places in Japan, foreigners will have to pay tax on the items. The store is open for walk-in shoppers, unlike some stores in Japan that require reservations, but it can often be very crowded. Walking near Fushimi Inari, many people can be seen carrying their Chiikawa store purchases.
Be sure to stop by the Chiikawa Mogumogu Honpo store in Kyoto for all things Chiikawa, especially limited-edition Chiikawa merchandise, only available in Japan.
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