Nui-Katsu 101: How to nail Japan's cutest trend in the UAE
Move over, Labubu, there's a new pocket-sized star in town. If you haven't met the Urupocha-chan plushies, your soft toy era is about to begin. In Japan, there's an adorable trend called nui-katsu, short for nuigurumi katsudou (aka 'plushie activities'), and yes, it's exactly as cute as it sounds.
Basically, it's all about bringing your plushies along for the ride, snapping pics of them at brunch, in cafés, on park benches, living their best soft life. And the best part? You get to post the cutest content ever on social media, without showing your face. Your plushie becomes the star of the feed ✨
How to pick the perfect plushie
Now, not every plushie can handle the spotlight. You need one that's small enough to travel with you, cute enough to steal the show, and bonus points if it's something nostalgic, like Disney (because duh). Enter: the Urupocha-chan collection from Disney Store.
These palm-sized plushies are seriously photogenic. They're soft, squishable, and can even sit upright on their own, perfect for your plushie brunch content 📸
From Mickey and Minnie to Winnie the Pooh, Stitch, and even Goofy, there are 14 characters to start with, and even more cuties on the way 👀 So yes, you're going to want to collect them all.
Ready to join the plushie club? Here's where to shop them
Plushies this cute can be hard to find in Dubai, but if you can't get your hands on the Urupocha-chan ones, don't worry. There are some super cute alternatives out there that still bring the cosy, kawaii vibes. We've rounded up a few faves below 👇✨
Miniso
Miniso is basically a plushie goldmine. Think tiny bears, bunnies, and sleepy-looking fruit characters that are just begging to be part of your nui-katsu squad. They're cute, cuddly, and budget-friendly, perfect for filling up your feed and your shelves.
The Little Things
If your plushie needs a little more personality, The Little Things has you covered. From licensed favourites to kawaii finds, this spot has a mix of playful, photogenic plushies that would look so cute in a café flatlay. Definitely worth a browse or copping 10 plushies.
Kinokuniya
More than just a book store, Kinokuniya is low-key a plushie lover's secret weapon. You'll often find quirky Japanese characters and soft toys tucked between the stationery and anime merch. Ideal if you're going for that niche, collector-core look
So grab your girls, snap a group pic of your Urupocha-chan squad sipping matcha lattes and living their soft toy dream life ✨Trust us, it's cute, it's creative, and it's so serotonin-boosting. Plus, your feed? Instantly 10x cuter.
Looking to add a new collectible to your collection? Check out where you can get Sonny Angels in Dubai.
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