Story perspectives

Chinese Youth Embrace Japan's Ita Bag Trend on Social Media

3/21/2026

48 5

Summary

Story summary

Chinese youth are embracing Japan's ita bag fashion to express admiration for anime and idols through creative designs.
The hashtag #tongbao, meaning "painful bag," has drawn 2.3 billion views on the lifestyle platform RedNote.
Ita bags originated in Japan in the 2010s and feature plushies, badges, and character cards arranged creatively.
The term "ita" implies awkwardness, suggesting owners may feel embarrassed while displaying their passion publicly.

1 of 1

Story summary

Chinese youth are embracing Japan's ita bag fashion to express admiration for anime and idols through creative designs.
The hashtag #tongbao, meaning "painful bag," has drawn 2.3 billion views on the lifestyle platform RedNote.
Ita bags originated in Japan in the 2010s and feature plushies, badges, and character cards arranged creatively.
The term "ita" implies awkwardness, suggesting owners may feel embarrassed while displaying their passion publicly.