When Seiko Kita took her 3-year-old to an Osaka hospital for treatment of injuries, including damage to her ears and other body parts, she never expected the service would be such a godsend.
But Nuigurumi Byoin — a self-styled hospital for stuffed toys — came to the rescue of her pink toy rabbit Pi-chan, as Kita affectionately calls her "only girl." She has another stuffed toy who is Pi-chan's brother.
The hospital prides itself on having the standards of a top-level medical facility — high-quality care, skillful "doctors," reassuring nurses, and a friendly and sanitary environment — but only treats stuffed toys.