Best Souvenirs from Japan

Food

We love the food in Japan and so of course, we want to bring home Japanese food! Fortunately, Japan has so many perfectly packaged food souvenirs. These beautifully presented treats are due to the omiyage culture in Japan.

Omiyage is the social obligation of bringing back small gifts from trips for family, friends and work colleagues. Often, this is in the form of beautifully packaged and individually wrapped local specialty sweets and cakes. You will find omiyage at tourist sites, gift stores, train stations and airports.

I have to mention plastic or replica food – Restaurants in Japan are known for their food models and there are a few shops (like this one in Tokyo Skytree) where you can make and buy replica food. One of the boys all time favourites is a bacon bookmark!

Gacha

Gacha are so much fun and so very Japanese. They are fun, quirky and inexpensive souvenirs and gifts. The kids love spending their last ¥ at the airport in buying gacha for friends.

Challenge them to see who can find the funniest!

Japanese knives

Japan is well known for its swords and knives. We have bought a number of Japanese knives from different markets and knife shops across Japan (including Nishiki markets in Kyoto and Tsukiji Fish Markets in Tokyo). Each one has a story and brings back memories of our trips. We use them at home every day. They also make great talking points when your guests admire your authentic Japanese knives!

We also love the shape cutters that good knife shops sell. They come in all shapes and sizes and are sharp enough to cut raw vegetables. We love using them at home, they remind us of the exquisite attention to detail and presentation of food and meals in Japan.

Japanese crafts

There are many beautiful and intricate crafts across Japan; woodwork from Hakone, lacquer work from Kiso valley, pottery from Kyoto, gold leaf from Kanazawa or hairpieces and jewellery.

Tenugui and Furoshiki

There are all sorts of different cloths and material pieces in souvenir shops all over Japan and it can be tricky to know what they are for.

Hand cloths are really useful while in Japan, about the size of a face cloth and essential for use in public bathrooms. They can also be great souvenirs of the places you have been, like the one below from Harajuku.

Furoshiki are square cloths of different sizes for wrapping. Traditionally for wrapping gifts or lunches, however, they can be wrapped to make bags as well. The material is often a higher quality or even silk as they are intended to be seen. They make a great gifts and are the perfect alternative to plastic bags or wrapping paper.

Tenugui are cloths that can be used for wrapping, as a bandanna, table cloth, to wipe hands or decorating. They are a lighter material and often the edges of the material are not stitched. They are longer and thinner and many have a scene or picture on them which can also make them ideal as a wall hanging.

Japanese characters or anime

Japanese characters are known across the world and a souvenir of your favourite character is a must! Perhaps Pikachu or Hello Kitty or Totoro or Twin Stars or Kuramon or Gudetama or Astro Boy or Mario or Kirby or Link or Anpanman or Sailor Moon or Goku or Godzilla or Gundam or Kiki or Cinnamoroll…

Sake, Umeshu or Whisky

Sorry kids, this one is just for the adults! Japanese alcohol can be a great souvenir to take home. The word sake actually means alcohol but we usually refer to rice wine when we say sake. Japanese wine, sake, umeshu (plum wine) and whisky are all readily available in supermarkets and airports. If you visit a ryoken, they will often make their own sake, definitely a unique and exclusive souvenir.

Experiences

I know this sounds cliche but the things we have treasured the most from our trips have been the journals the kids have kept and the things we have made such as the glasses in Okinawa and the swords in Kyoto. Take the opportunity for any experiences that interest you and your family, you will treasure it forever.

There are so many more amazing souvenirs that you will find in your travels and lots of shopping to do. I’m sure you’ll enjoying bring back a little piece of Japan!