Souvenirs

This is Rilakkuma and my tiny Sarubobo doll. Rilakkuma was given to me by a Japanese couple that we watched playing on the grabber machines in an arcade in Kyoto after we had provided audible support for their endeavours. The Sarubobo doll came from our hotel in Takayama, our first taste of a Japanese Inn, Japanese style room, real Japanese food and an onsen (communal hot bath). According to the information I was given to go with it 'Sarubobo means Happy Monkey Baby and used to be made by Japanese mothers and grandmothers hoping for happiness and good health for their beloved. If you have this doll, you will be happy too.'