10 Best Things to Buy in Japan for Perfect Souvenirs
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