Choosing the best gifts to bring back from Japan can be tricky, as the country offers a plethora of great items that are hard to resist. Souvenirs from Japan showcase the country's history and culture and make excellent mementos, whether you want to wear them, use them, or simply display them.
Besides, Japan is known for its gift-giving culture, which is an important way to express gratitude, build relationships, and show respect.
According to Statista, travelers visiting Japan spent an average of about 10.84 thousand yen on shoes, bags, and similar items in 2022. However, they spent a bit less, about 10.41 thousand yen, on clothes.
Japanese handmade items, beauty products, and food are among the best in the world.
So, to help you, we've compiled a list of the best items to buy in Japan in 2024.
1. Matcha Green Tea
Japan is the leading producer of matcha, and they have a rich history of growing and processing it, passing down techniques through generations. Matcha is easily found in the food sections of most department stores. Buying matcha powder is wise because it's light and can be used to make simple tea or fancy treats like tiramisu.
Also, green tea is used in tasty snacks such as cakes, custards, candies, and chocolates. If you're in Tokyo, there are many places where you can take part in a traditional tea ceremony, offering a fun way to experience Japanese culture.
It's a fantastic way to have a good time and immerse yourself in a traditional Japanese experience!
2. Omamori Charms
Tourists can often buy omamori at Japanese temples and shrines. They look like small cloth bags, but you should never open them. The charms are meant to bring good luck, and the cloth comes in many types and colors.
In some way, each one may protect the owner from harm, keep them safe while traveling, or bring them luck in business, love, or school. Many people collect them, and the owners keep them safe in their bag or pocket.
3. Japanese Stationery
Japan is known for manufacturing some of the best stationery on the market. It's easy to find and buy high-quality pens and pencils made in Japan.
For sketches or ink drawings, you need Japanese stationery. If you want the highest-quality paper for work and school, don't look beyond Japanese products.
In Japan, you can also often find cute stationery with cartoons, Pokemon, and other kawaii themes.
4. Daruma Dolls
Daruma dolls are indeed important in Japan because people believe they bring good luck and help wishes come true. People do something special with these dolls. When you have a wish or goal, you draw one eye on the doll. When your wish comes true or you reach your goal, you then draw the other eye.
These dolls are named after an Indian monk named Daruma, who started a special group in China. People say he meditated for nine years straight, facing a wall, and that caused his arms and legs to fall off.
The dolls usually look like monks, but there are many styles, and some of them are even cute.
5. Imabari Towel
Bathing is an important part of Japanese culture, with onsen and sento (bathhouses) spread across the country for community relaxation. Having a high-quality Japanese towel like Imabari towels is essential for this.
So, whether you want to give a gift to someone who wants to try a traditional Japanese bath at home or are thinking of visiting the best onsens in Hakone, an Imabari towel can be an excellent choice for both their bath routine and their Japanese home decor.
Even without traveling to Japan, you can experience the luxury of traditional Imabari towels by visiting Japarcana's product page. We can deliver them directly to your doorstep, fresh from the towel capital, Imabari City.
6. Manga and Anime Items
Japan is where manga and anime came from, so it's like a dream place for people who love them. You can find lots of stuff like manga books, anime DVDs, small statue toys, clothes, and other things that fans would love.
If you're in Tokyo, Akihabara and Nakano Broadway are two famous places where you can find manga, anime, and video games. You can also visit Pokémon Centers, Nintendo stores, and JUMP shops in Japan to get cool items.
7. Japanese Teaware
Tea is an important part of Japanese culture, from the more formal chanyo (or sado) tea ceremonies to the more simple act of giving a hot drink to guests. In Japan, the teaware is just as important as the tea itself. Different materials, like clay and iron, are used to make the tea taste better and the experience better for the person drinking it.
Given their beautiful designs and ability to enhance the tea's flavor, Japanese teacups and pots can be the ideal present for any tea lover.
8. Japanese Sake Sets
Sake is arguably the most famous alcoholic drink in Japan. It's used in religious events, festivals, and for anyone who wishes to relax after work—it's everywhere in Japan. To truly enjoy this well-liked drink, the right cup and pitcher are important.
If you're a fan of Japanese sake, a Japanese sake set is an ideal souvenir. Even if you're not a big fan of the drink, these sets are typically beautiful and can be used as decor.
A Japanese sake set could be a great keepsake for you or a wonderful gift for someone dear to you
9. Uchiwa/Sensu
The Uchiwa, or traditional Japanese fan, and Sensu, or folding fan, make perfect souvenirs, especially during the hot summer months. These fans are light enough to fit into your carry-on luggage.
There are different designs to choose from, whether it's traditional artwork or anime-themed prints that catch your fancy. You're certain to find one you'll love at the store.
For those seeking handcrafted, intricate designs, be prepared to spend a little more. However, if you're after more budget-friendly options, 100-yen shops or souvenir stores in popular tourist spots have plenty of affordable choices.
10. Chopsticks from Japan
One of the most famous things to bring back from Japan is without a doubt a pair of chopsticks. They're more than just eye-catching; they're useful too, serving both as actual eating tools and decorative items. Different kinds of chopsticks are made from different materials, such as metal, plastic, bamboo, wood, and metal.
You can find them in almost every Japanese tourist shop. They make great gifts or things to buy for yourself.
11. Kit Kat
People all over the world can easily buy milk chocolate Kit Kats, but in Japan, more than 300 different kinds of Kit Kat have been made to make distinctive regional and holiday chocolate treats. Unique Japanese-inspired Kit Kat tastes include sake, matcha, wasabi, and yuzu.
12. Japanese Knives
A lot of people say Japanese knives are simply the best. They're exceptionally sharp, strong, and precise. Usually crafted from a single piece of steel, these knives don't easily bend or break like other kinds.
There's a different Japanese knife for every task, whether you're dicing raw vegetables into cubes or thin slices, carving cooked meat into slender strips, or segmenting a whole fish fillet into bite-sized pieces.
13. Yukata
During Japan's summertime festival season, the yukata becomes a must-have in Japanese clothing. It's a casual kimono that you can enjoy wearing at home while you're thinking of a relaxing stay at a beautiful ryokan or hot spring resort!
Unlike formal silk kimonos, yukatas are typically made from cotton. In the evenings, kimonos made with indigo dye are popular because they're believed to repel insects. In Japan, you can easily find yukatas in various sizes, designs, and budgets.
14. Japanese Whisky
If you're seriously into whisky, you probably know that Japan makes some highly-rated whiskies that are a lot like Scotch. Well-known companies like Nikka and Suntory make these, both as single malts and mixed whiskies. A small bottle of Japanese whisky could be a great keepsake gift that can be sipped slowly and savored!
15. Kokeshi Dolls
Kokeshi dolls are wooden toys carefully made by special artists. The dolls are usually made only in the northeastern region of Japan, specifically in Tohoku. In fact, many spots in Tohoku, like Tsuchiyu, make these dolls as a unique local item. The dolls are handcrafted from dogwood and pear trees (known as mizuki and nashi in Japan).
What's interesting is the way the dolls age. The wood naturally matures over time, giving older kokeshi dolls a richer, more distinguished look.
Final Words
We hope you liked this list of the best Japanese gifts to bring back home. It's easy to find a lot of different items in Japan, but it can be hard to figure out what your friends and family will really like. Regardless, what’s important is the thought that goes into choosing souvenirs—remembering your loved ones during your travel in Japan.
Connect with us and become a part of our growing community that loves Japanese culture. Check our collections and let us deliver the Japanese experience to the comfort of your home.