Heading to Japan and don’t know what to get? These are the best Japanese souvenirs to take home.
A trip to Japan would be incomplete without some authentic Japanese souvenirs to bring home for yourself, your family, and your friends. The Japanese are masters of gift-giving art and have perfected the omiyage culture. This word loosely translates to “souvenir,” although it means much more than that.
Omiyage is something you give as a gift after returning home from a trip, and it should be more than the typical keychain, fridge magnet, or “I love Japan sticker.”
One of the best aspects of traveling to Japan is to meander through the packed street shops, markets, and convenience stores. This will help you better understand local Japanese culture as you also get ideas on what souvenirs to buy from Japan.
Tip: For any trip, planning is key. If you’re traveling on a budget, one of the best tips is to plan your Japanese souvenir purchases well ahead. This will help you avoid impulsive buying items that don’t matter or will not evoke memories of Japan.
Best Souvenirs to Buy while Visiting Japan
If a trip to Japan, the “Land of the Rising Sun” is on the agenda, we’ve got you fully covered. You must get a tangible and worthy Japanese souvenir to bring home, something that will remind you of your days in Japan.
The good news is that this Asian nation has no shortage of gift items and souvenirs to bring home. As a country, Japan has many faces, which means her souvenirs are equally diverse.
They range from inexpensive Japanese trinkets to expensive souvenirs such as kimonos. You are certain of getting something that meets your specific requirements.
The only problem may be deciding on souvenirs to buy while visiting Japan and what to leave. To help you make the right choices regarding what to buy in Japan, we have the following recommendations on the best souvenirs from Japan.
Daruma Doll, the Popular Japan Souvenir
Arguably, this is the most popular non-food Japanese souvenir. Daruma is a paper-mâché doll, a good luck charm hugely popular among the Japanese. Daruma dolls are representations of Daruma, the father of Zen Buddhism, seated in meditation. They symbolize positivity.
Wherever your travels in Japan take you, the unmistakable little redheads without eyes are common, especially in major tourist spots. Daruma ranks among the best souvenirs from Japan and is available in all sorts of colors and sizes, including pocket-size figurines.
Traditionally, they are sold at Buddhist shrines in early January, although you can still get these Japanese souvenirs year-round at leading shops nationwide.
Omamori, the Good Luck Charms
For a traditional, spiritual, yet meaningful Japanese souvenir, look for a Shinto shrine and get omamori. These are charms used by the Japanese for prayer. If you have a spiritual friend back home and are still confused about what to buy in Japan for him or her, one of these lucky charms will do perfectly.
Getting omamori will not cost you a leg, as these inexpensive souvenirs from Japan cost just a few hundred Japanese Yen.
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Sensu, the Folding Fan Japanese souvenir
Japanese folding fans, locally known as sensu are another budget-friendly, lightweight and super-traditional souvenirs to buy while visiting Japan.
These are extremely handy as they fold up easily to make a small package, the perfect gift item to surprise several people back home.
From inexpensive paper options to handmade, intricate sensu made of wood and fabric, you are certain to find a sensu fan that suits any recipient.
In Japan, traditionally sensu is usually carried around, nicely tucked in the sash of your kimono or yukata. Therefore, The picture would be complete if you also purchase the fan with a kimono or yukata.
Kimono, the Iconic Souvenir from Japan
If you are looking for a classy and expensive souvenir from Japan, then go for a kimono. This is probably the best-known garb in Japan and is worn by both men and women.
You can buy kimonos in many of the popular places you are likely to visit in Japan. If you are in Kyoto, you can get stunning kimonos there as this is also Japan’s geisha capital.
You will have a classy souvenir from Japan and leave folks back home truly awed. Even better, why not surprise your spouse with a cool kimono?
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Yukata Paired with Geta/Zori Sandals
Yukata is Japanese summer casual clothing. These Japanese souvenirs are similar to a kimono, however, compared to a kimono, it’s much easier to put on a yukata. So, why not find a good yukata, take it back with you, and show folks back home your Japanese exploits?
The light summer yukata kimono is one of the most popular Japanese souvenirs. You can find them in specialty kimono shops. For that complete look, consider getting geta or zori, the traditional Japanese sandals.
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Chopsticks and their Holders
When looking for classic Japanese souvenirs, a pair of chopsticks is usually among the first things a visitor to Japan considers. Used daily, chopsticks are found everywhere in Japan.
You’ll be spoilt for choice regarding design options, colors, and patterns. You can even have your name engraved on chopsticks. If you love cooking Asian cuisine back home, getting some chopsticks is a great idea!
As you shop for souvenirs to buy while visiting Japan, remember that etiquette among the Japanese is important, the reason why you should also invest in quality chopstick holders.
The idea behind chopstick holders is to keep the tips of the chopsticks off the table for hygiene purposes.
It also prevents used chopsticks from falling off the table or contaminating the unused ones. You can get origami chopstick rests or other designs made of bamboo or yew.
World-Famous Japanese Electronics
Regarding what souvenirs to buy from Japan, their electronics need no introduction in terms of quality. Compared to many other counties, Japan also has a lower VAT, so it’s beneficial to grab some electronics during your travel to Japan.
When looking for the best Japanese souvenirs for electronics, this Asian nation boasts of some of the highest-quality camera brands, such as Nikon and Canon.
Other sound systems like Sony, Hitachi, and Panasonic are global household names. Looking for high-quality and expensive souvenirs from Japan, head to Akihabara, the electronics town.
Cool Japanese Ceramics
Japan is renowned for its quality ceramics. Although you’ll find them all over the country, if you want the best quality items, head to a specialist ceramics store. These cool souvenirs from Japan are not only beautiful works of Oriental art but practical items for everyday use.
Choose from all styles, shapes, and sizes to match your taste. Every time you look at these beautiful Japanese souvenirs, you will be transported back to the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Uniquely Japanese Cat (Neko) Goods
Are you getting a Japanese souvenir for someone who adores cats? Great, you are in the right country. Our feline friends are greatly adored in Japan, something that becomes obvious by the profusion of cat-themed knick-knacks that can be picked up all over.
Plus, these inexpensive souvenirs from Japan come in lots of different materials, styles, colors, and price points. Cat things are everywhere in Japan. You can buy cat bags, cat watches, shoes with cats, cat mugs, cat hats, and porcelain, and attires with cat patterns as well as Japanese trinkets adorned with cats.
And that is not the end of the list. You can get cat socks, earrings, plates, wallets, cat tissue holders, and many more.
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The Colorful Origami Paper
Still, confused about what souvenirs to buy from Japan? How about getting high-quality origami paper adorned with beautiful Japanese patterns and colors?
Back home, these can be used for various home or office decorations. You could also try out traditional origami folding techniques. The high-quality and colorful prints of Japanese origami paper are highly regarded globally.
These make great souvenirs if you want something fun and authentic. Origami paper can be found in most Japanese stationery shops, although specialty stores such as Ochanomizu Origami Kaikan stock wide varieties of origami paper.
Japanese Incense Products
Why not carry home Japanese incense as a souvenir? It will relax you and bring back memories of your priceless time in Japan. Yes, why not take the smell of Japan with you? These cool souvenirs from Japan come in an array of dazzling colors and amazing aromas.
You can buy incense sachets or sticks for just a couple of hundred Yen or several thousand Yen depending on your preference.
Toe Socks, the Inexpensive Souvenirs from Japan
Probably an odd choice for a souvenir from Japan. However, toe socks do represent a certain aspect of the youth culture in Japan pretty well. Toe socks are not only inexpensive souvenirs from Japan but also customizable.
They make perfect fun souvenir items for yourself or someone else back home.
Kendama, the Ball-and-String Toy for Kids
You cannot afford to forget the kids back home. The perfect souvenir to buy while visiting Japan for the young ones back home is a kendama. This ball-and-string toy is said to have come to Japan around the 1700s and is hugely popular with kids.
They are available in lots of different designs, making them good souvenirs if you like art or knick-knacks. With a ball attached to a wooden handle by a strong string, the essence of Kendama is to try and make the round ball sit right on the toy’s handle.
And it’s more challenging to achieve that than you might expect!
Matcha, Green Tea Flavored Snacks
In Japan, you are going to find matcha everything. Matcha tea, matcha food, matcha sweets, and even matcha ice cream. Matcha-flavored snacks are particularly popular among visitors to Japan as they are truly unique. These snacks are filled with slightly bitter, but delicious flavors of Japanese green tea.
In Japan, expect to be astounded by the sheer number of matcha-infused snacks, candy, and desserts. If you want to carry home matcha-flavored Japanese souvenirs, look for chocolates, cookies, or caramels sold widely across Japan.
The matcha green tea Japanese KitKat is hugely popular among the locals, and you can get them at most stores nationwide.
Uniquely Japanese Rice Crackers
Rice crackers make excellent and inexpensive souvenirs from Japan. They are available in dozens of varieties across the country. They are a staple Japanese snack and make a great option for something simple or classic to share with folks back home.
If you want a really special souvenir, go for a regional rice cracker inspired by the specific location you visit. You could, for example, choose some Kabukiage Shiquasa Salt that’s only found in Okinawa or pick up some Scallion Miso Senbei only found in Nagoya. Also popular are seasonal options such as spring or fall varieties.
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Award-Winning Japanese Whiskey
Japan is emerging as a producer of some of the world’s finest whiskeys after the country’s Suntory’s Yamazaki Single Malt scooped the 2015 World Whiskey Bible top prize.
If the Japanese can beat the Scots in making malt, this is a souvenir worth taking home. You may want to check out two prominent brands: Nikka and Suntory. Experts recommend Nikka Yoichi Single Malt as your best value for money. Suntory is perfect if you are a whisky fan or prefer a stiff drink.
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Sake, the Traditional Alcoholic Drink
We cannot forget Japanese rice wine because no trip to Japan can be complete without a few sips of sake. This is a traditional alcoholic beverage popular across Japan made using fermented rice. Getting a bottle of Japanese sake is a great souvenir idea worth every Yen spent.
The drinkable treat will remind you of your Japanese adventures long after returning home. This is also the perfect drink to serve your folks back home as you narrate your travel experiences. Different regions of Japan have different kinds of rice, each with its local version of sake.
Bonus point: Sake serving sets also make popular souvenirs from Japan to bring home.
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