As one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Japan has a variety of delicious food, intricate handicrafts, and local arts that are coveted by modern travelers around the world.
Some of the best items to buy when going to Japan are steeped in tradition but have been refurbished to be suitable for everyday use, such as silk hand fans, tea sets, and even chopsticks.
When you go to Japan, of course, you want to look for unique and famous items that would make perfect gifts for friends and family back home.
Large cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo have famous streets with excellent shopping and crafts, such as the Togoshi Ginza and Higashiyama Districts
What to Buy in Japan to Bring Home
If you’re looking for where to buy souvenirs in Japan, read our recommendations and where you can find them.
1. Matcha
Matcha comes from green tea leaves which are high in antioxidants. Famous for its amazing health benefits. Even if you’ve never tried it, you should still buy it even if it’s just a small bag because matcha in Japan is the most flavorful and best in the world.
If you’re looking for souvenirs for family and friends back home, matcha is one of the best things to buy in Japan because this powdered green tea in small bags is affordable. You better purchase matcha from a shop that specializes in tea. Try Tokyo’s Chanoha Green Tea House, which specializes in matcha drinks. They offer on-site tastings to help diners find the perfect matcha flavor.
During your trip to Japan, enjoy a tea ceremony which is part of traditional Japanese art. In this ceremony, you can try matcha green tea accompanied by traditional sweets. You can experience the ceremony held at this tea house on your trip to Japan.
Location Google Maps: Chanoha
2. Mochi
Something very familiar to Japan is mochi. Mochi is a traditional cake made from sticky rice, usually filled with anko (red bean paste) and other ingredients.
Mochi is a mandatory dessert that is synonymous with every event in Japan. During traditional Japanese festivals and end-of-year celebrations, small rice cakes are very popular and are the main snack of Japanese people. And mochi is one of the best things to buy in Japan to bring home.
When you go to Tokyo, it’s not easy to decide where to buy mochi because thousands of shops serve mochi. But you have to try enjoying this traditional cake directly at its place.
Stop by Seigetsudo Hotels in Ginza. Founded in 1910, they offer various types of mochi that you can enjoy with a cup of hot tea. The specialty of this shop is gomamochi, mochi with sesame and red bean filling
Location Google Maps: Seigetsudo Honten Matsuya Ginzaten
3. Kimono and Yukata
Kimono is a traditional Japanese dress that is usually only worn for special ceremonies, such as political events or weddings. Made from thick, heavy fabrics, such as hand-stitched linen, or layers of intricately embroidered silk.
In today’s era, many shops in Japan sell a casual and more affordable version of the kimono, called yukata. Yukata are made for everyday use, the material is made of patterned cotton and silk, and is lighter.
When you go to Japan, all souvenir shops sell yukata. However, especially for kimonos, you have to go to a special shop because kimonos are generally made to order. And it will take at least several weeks for completion.
You can buy a yukata to bring home as a souvenir or for yourself to wear while relaxing at home. Stop by Yume Kyoto Kodaiji Shop in Kyoto. Apart from selling good quality yukata, they also rent kimonos for photo shoots. So, you will feel that your holiday in Japan is more complete after taking a photo in a kimono.
Location Google Maps: Yume Kyoto Kodaiji Shop
4. Chopsticks Set
Chopsticks are one of the best things to buy in Japan, either for yourself or as souvenirs for colleagues and friends back home. Just as we use different cutlery for different occasions and different foods, so it is with Japanese chopsticks.
Some chopsticks are made specifically for certain people or are only used for certain food dishes.
You can find chopsticks at any souvenir shop in the country, but if you’re looking for a special set of chopsticks, visit Ginza Natsuno in Ginza. It is said that there are more than 2500 pairs of chopsticks in the shop.
Google Map Location: Ginza Natsuno
If you travel to the Shibuya district, you can buy souvenirs at a specialty shop called HYOZAEMON Chopsticks Specialty Shop. They sell unique artisan chopstick sets that are hard to find anywhere else. You can decorate your chosen set with the name you want, and they can be done on the same day.
Google Map Location: HYOZAEMON Chopsticks Specialty Shop
Another option is Nihonbo Chopstick Store in Tokyo. This shop also provides tableware for everyday and formal use, as well as special ceramic plates for placing chopsticks.
Google Map Location: Nihonbo Chopsticks(Hyozaemon)Gransta Tokyo Station
5. Sensu Fans
Here’s another great option for travelers who want to save on luggage. Sensu. It’s a traditional fan used by geisha in the 18th century.
They make these fans not only to cool you down when walking in the summer but Sensu are also used in dances and as decorations for important events such as weddings.
If you want the best Sensu fan, then you have to buy a Kyo-Sensi fan in Kyoto. Kyo-Sensi fans are a type that is considered the best quality in Japan, and these sensu are only made in the city with local materials. Made from wood and silk, the price is more expensive than factory-made fans, but it is worth it because it is made with the best techniques from experts.
Visit the Hakuchi Kudo shop in Kyoto. This shop is more than 300 years old and sells fans of the highest quality. Occasionally they also make limited edition sensu which attracts visitors who queue long in front of the shop.
Google Map Location: Hakuchi Kudo Kyoto
6. Hello Kitty Set
One of the most beloved characters and has millions of fans of all ages is Hello Kitty. Hello Hello Kitty was first introduced in 1974 by the Japanese company Sanrio which also released several other popular characters after Hello Kitty, and is currently the second best-selling franchise of all time.
The Hello Kitty product line is very diverse and if you are a Hello Kitty fan, then you must visit the official Hello Kitty stores in Tokyo to experience finding the most beautiful Hello Kitty merch!
There are more than 100 official Sanrio stores in Japan, and there are 30 in Tokyo. The big one is Sanrio Nishiginza, which is in the Ginza area, of Tokyo. They have the largest selection of Sanrio characters in the world with a collection of limited edition merchandise. Make sure you have an extra suitcase if you want to buy Hello Kitty merchandise here.
Google Map Location: Sanrio World Ginza
7. Anime, Manga, and Game Products
Japan is a dream destination for anime and manga lovers. In Japan, there are many interesting merchandise choices that you can take home as collections or souvenirs for friends.
Akihabara is a paradise for anime, manga, and game product hunters. Costumes, merchandise, books, statues, it’s all here. You can also look for anime collections, video games, and Pokemon collections at the Shibuya PARCO shopping complex, in Cyberspace Tokyo.
Google Map Location: Shibuya Parco
8. Vintage Clothes
Japan has more antique shops than anywhere else. If you like hunting for antiques that are still of good quality, you should come to the following three places:
Harajuku. These four are famous for their collections of goods that mix big brands with teenage styles. Berbejin, Pigsty, and Fake Alpha are some of those that sell vintage products that are still in very good condition and at relatively cheap prices. Each here has its characteristics and uniqueness. You have to have enough energy and enthusiasm to explore everything
Koenji. Another district that is also quite famous for its vintage goods is Koenji. Most of the vintage clothing stores here are in the area south of the train station, and there are also some along the surrounding streets. The location is quite hidden but worth it. You can find unique items that you are ready to take home.
Then there is Osaka and Kobe, whose entire area is dominated by vintage clothing stores. Vintage products in Osaka are mostly new era antiques, from the ‘80s. Unique and different fashions are here, so this place is very suitable for those who like to mix and match fashion styles as a form of self-expression.
9. Handmade Ceramics
One of the items in Japan that can be used as the best souvenir is Japanese ceramic pottery. Ceramic artists make them very skillfully to produce quality products.
You can find handmade ceramic products in shops along Harimayabashi Street. Choose which one you want to take home, a tea set, plate, vase, or maybe you want to wrap a large piece of pottery.
10. Pocky Various Flavors
The most popular souvenir snack in Japan is Pocky. These chocolate-coated snack sticks can be found in every country, but the ones in Japan are different.
The choice of flavors is huge, so you should grab all the flavors at once so you can try them on your way back to your country, as well as as a souvenir.
Those are ten recommendations of the best things you can buy in Japan
Matcha has a rich taste, and rice cake mochi is sweet and soft. Then Kimono or Yukata can be the best gift for your friends.
If you want to be more practical and beautiful, there are Chopstick Set and Sensu Fans which are functional objects and works of art that reflect Japanese culture.
Hello Kitty Set, Anime and Manga products are a treasure for character and figure enthusiasts.
Don’t forget to stop by the vintage market, you will find many choices with good quality and affordable prices. Handmade ceramics, what’s more, you must pack this in your suitcase. Lastly, Pocky with various flavors is very famous as the most favorite souvenir snack for tourists.
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