If you are planning a trip to Japan and you’re already thinking of souvenirs to buy, then take a glance at our list 15 best Japanese souvenirs you should buy in Tokyo.
Whenever we visit a new city or country, we wish to take a little piece of that place with us to remind us of that trip, the people we met there, and the things we’ve seen and tried. Collecting souvenirs is quite a serious hobby for many people, as these small things have great value and represent our impressions of a certain place we visited and wish to remember. Souvenirs are also great gifts for our loved ones. When it comes to Japan, this beautiful country has a lot to offer and plenty of small things you can take home with you that represent their rich culture. If your budget is tight, but you really want to buy something to remind you of the trip, take a look at our article we wrote a while ago — it’s about cheap things to buy in Japan. Books are surprisingly cheap in this country, so you can get a few books or buy a bunch of tissues or an umbrella, as these are also very cheap in Japan.
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When you ask people for suggestions on what to buy when in Tokyo, recommended Japanese souvenirs almost always include buying some chopsticks. I guess this is inevitable, plus, it’s a great gift for someone who’s eagerly waiting for you to come back with a present. Other famous things to buy in Japan include different sorts of sweets such as limited-edition Japanese Kit Kats which feature regional flavors, and souvenirs featuring the Skytree landmark. If you want to buy something that is really popular in this lovely country, then check out the list of best selling consumer products in Japan to learn what people can’t do without in this country.
When buying a souvenir, the point is to buy something that cannot be bought anywhere else as this increases the value of your souvenir/gift. Plus, you can make your friend jealous (if that’s what you’re going for). So think of things you can only buy in Japan such as the origami paper which is also very cheap. In Tokyo, you can find authentic Japanese souvenirs of all sorts to bring home to your family and friends. To help you find cool things to buy in Japan that you can’t buy where you live we searched for some awesome stores in this city that you can visit if you are planning on shopping for souvenirs. Tokyo is filled with specialty stores that will amaze you and make you spend an hour inside, completely losing track of time. They contain an abundance of cute little things you can buy and bring home or give someone as a gift. Tokyu Hands and Don Quijote are just a few great little stores where you can find all sorts of interesting Japanese things. Known as ’everything stores,’ they contain everything you may possibly need.
Now to get to the point – in order to compile the list of best Japanese souvenirs you should buy in Tokyo, we did a lot of research. Suggestions from Reddit did help us in our search, but we also stopped by Compathy Magazine and Tsunagu Japan. We made our selection of best souvenirs you can get when in Japan that were mentioned most. However, the souvenirs are ranked in no particular order. Before we proceed to the list of 15 best Japanese souvenirs you should buy in Tokyo, check out the list of cool stuff to buy in Japan to get some more ideas.
15. Stationery
Stationery is a great souvenir and an excellent gift to give to your family members or friends. You can find a plenty of Japanese-style items that are breathtakingly beautiful at Itoya, a stationery store in Tokyo or visit Tokyu Hands to find a great selection of stationery products. You can also get unique postcards and stamps designed using Japanese aesthetics.
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14. Kit Kat
Undoubtedly, Kit Kat is a sensational souvenir that most people decide to bring back home from Japan. Kit Kat that ranks 14th in our list of best Japanese souvenirs you should buy in Tokyo features regional limited-edition flavors such as Rum Raisin, Pumpkin Pudding or even Wasabi. You can get different flavors from different cities in Japan and make your friends and family member really excited by giving them this gift.
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13. Tea
One of the best Japanese souvenirs you should buy in Tokyo is definitely tea as Japan is one of the largest consumers of Matcha or green tea. You can visit the local tea shops and buy a pack or two of green tea and make your loved ones happy. It’s also very affordable, so it’s a win-win situation.
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12. Sensu
Nothing says Japan more than a sensu or folding fan. Indeed, folding fans are one of the first things that come to mind when we think of this country. These traditional products can be seen everywhere on the streets and prices vary. You can get a cheap one or visit a specialty shop and buy a handmade sensu of higher quality.
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11. Kitchen Knives
Those who enjoy cooking and have been to Japan will probably suggest that you get a few quality kitchen knives while you’re there. Japanese kitchen knives are very sharp and durable, and much cheaper than elsewhere. If you know someone who would appreciate this gift or if you like to cook yourself, then get yourself a kitchen knife while in Tokyo.
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10. Ceramics
Another thing that comes to mind when we talk about Japanese culture is ceramics. Ceramics, the number 10 in our list of best Japanese souvenirs you should buy in Tokyo, can be found everywhere so you’ll have no difficulty getting a few items for yourself or your loved ones. However, if you want to get a higher quality ceramic piece, then visit some of the specialty stores in Tokyo.
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9. Cat Goods
If any country simply adores cats, it’s Japan. Products featuring pictures of cat or cat figurines can be found everywhere and getting a cat-themed souvenir is a good idea. The abundance of cat-themed products will amaze you. So, you can pick up a cat-themed mug or another cute item featuring this lovely animal. You can also visit some cat cafes while you’re there and have a cup of coffee while a cat rests beside you. This is an ideal gift for a friend who loves cats.
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8. Japanese Charms (Omamori)
Omamori is traditional Japanese charms that you can buy at religious sites such as a temple or a shrine. They come in a variety of designs, and they serve to provide some sort of luck or protection. You can choose one that brings fortune in business or love or the one that symbolizes good health. Omamori is a great souvenir that you can get for yourself or a friend.
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7. Kabuki Face Mask
Kabuki face mask is a very interesting product and definitely not an ordinary face mask. It’s actually designed to look like the kumadori makeup which is specific to Japan’s traditional theater art — kabuki. It’s an effective face mask, but it comes with a great story so it makes one of the best Japanese souvenirs you should buy in Tokyo.
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6. Kiriko Glass
If you really want a gift or a souvenir that features Japanese culture, then buy a pair of Kiriko glasses. Kiriko glass is a traditional colored glass from Edo period which is often used to serve liquor and features interesting texture and design. It’s a great souvenir as well, so you can buy it for a friend along with a bottle of sake.
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5. Hair Accessories
If you are in doubt what to buy for your friends and female family members back home who are expecting a genuine Japanese souvenir, hair accessories are the answer. You can get some traditional hair accessories at almost any part of Tokyo. They will love it!
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4. Tenugui
We are continuing our list of best Japanese souvenirs you should buy in Tokyo with Tenugui, that is a very cute souvenir you can get for all your friends. It’s a small Japanese hand towel featuring different colorful patterns which are simply adorable. They are very popular as decorations and souvenirs. Considering that they are small and easily foldable, it’s a perfect souvenir to buy when in Tokyo.
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3. Chopsticks
Chopsticks are one of the most popular souvenirs you can buy while in Japan. They come in so many different designs that choosing just one pair will be impossible. You can find plenty of them in Kappabashi-dori (Kitchen Town) in Tokyo. You can choose between the cheap ones (which break easily) and those of higher quality that cost a little bit more, depending on how much money do you plan on spending on souvenirs.
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2. Sake
Although you can get sake outside of Japan, it’s not the same as bought in this country. The much-loved Japanese rice wine is a popular souvenir as well, and it can be found almost anywhere. If you visit a specialty store and decide to buy a bottle of sake, they will even let you taste it before you decide.
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1. Keychains
One of the best Japanese souvenirs you should buy in Tokyo is keychains. Japanese themed keychains can be easily found in Tokyo as they are very popular souvenirs. They come in different forms from the ones that pop out when you squeeze them to the ones that have plastic food samples on them. It’s up to you, but they sure are a fun gift.
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