Why Are People Travelling With Stuffed Toys? One Hotel Chain Even Has A Special Offer For Them

A growing number of travellers are giving their plush toys a passport. From long-haul flights to scenic weekend getaways, stuffed companions are showing up in travel photos, perched on cafe tables, and tucked into hotel beds. What began as a quiet comfort habit has evolved into a global micro-trend. In Japan, especially, this love for travel companions made of cotton and fluff seems to be gaining momentum. Some hotels and tour services are now acknowledging that a cherished plushie is more than just a toy. And one Japanese hotel chain has gone a step further, introducing a surprisingly thoughtful service that treats your plush friend almost like another guest.

Toyoko Inn's Plushie-Friendly Offering

Photo Credit: toyoko-inn.com

Toyoko Inn, a well-known budget hotel chain in Japan, has launched a special add-on called the "Sleepover Plan with Plushies." For a small additional fee of around 300 yen (about Rs 172), guests can rent a miniature bed, mattress, and pillow for their stuffed companion, along with a tiny bathrobe that matches the hotel's own guest attire. The hotel chain has reportedly expanded the offering to multiple locations nationwide. Guests can reserve the plushie package up to a day before check-in through the hotel's website or request it directly at reception, depending on availability.

What sets Toyoko Inn's move apart is that it reframes emotional comfort as part of the hospitality experience. The miniature sleep set isn't a novelty so much as an acknowledgement of how people travel today with items that bring familiarity and joy. In a service culture already known for its attentiveness, this small gesture captures something larger: an acceptance that adults, too, find solace in soft toys, and that these companions deserve a spot in the narrative of travel.

Photo Credit: toyoko-inn.com

What Is Oshi Katsu - And How It Is Connected To Plushies

The phenomenon ties neatly into Japan's "oshi katsu" culture, which refers to activities that show devotion to one's "oshi" (a favourite character, idol, or mascot). Fans often express this through collecting merchandise, visiting themed cafés, and even travelling to locations connected with their chosen "oshi." For many, a plushie version of a beloved character represents that devotion. Bringing it along on trips, dressing it up, and photographing it in new places becomes a way to extend fandom into daily life. Toyoko Inn's plush-sleepover option naturally appeals to this demographic. It offers fans a way to treat their plushies not as inanimate keepsakes, but as treasured travel companions who deserve a good night's rest, too.

Also Read: How Indian Travellers Can Apply for A Japan Visa In 2025

Why People Are Travelling With Their Plushies

While some view it as a quirky pastime, travelling with a plushie serves several genuine purposes. For solo travellers, the toy can be a comforting reminder of home, easing anxiety and loneliness in unfamiliar surroundings. Others see it as an aesthetic companion: a creative prop for travel photography or journaling. Online communities are full of travellers sharing pictures of their plushies at landmarks, hotel breakfasts, and train stations, turning them into unofficial mascots of their adventures. Beyond cuteness, these companions often carry sentimental value. Some may be a childhood favourite, while others are a symbol of self-care.

Also Read: Japan Emerges As Top Pick For Indian Tourists With 68 Per Cent Growth In Travel Interest: Report

Today's travellers are seeking comfort, meaning, and a sense of belonging wherever they go. By acknowledging that even a stuffed toy can be part of that experience, the hospitality industry can reflect both empathy and innovation.