Must-Buy Souvenirs and Unique Gifts in Japan
Posted by Grace on August 21, 2023
Japan has a rich and unique culture, and every time I visit, I'm tempted to buy souvenirs to remember the magical place and to share with friends and family. Many of these items are difficult to find anywhere else in the world.
Moreover, due to the exchange rate, Americans and Europeans can often find items cheaper in Japan than in their home countries.
Contents
Food
While you can't take sushi home (oh, how I wish you could!), there are many other delectable treats you can bring back.
Matcha & Tea
Tea Varieties
When you're in Japan, getting matcha (a special kind of green tea) is a treat. Matcha is like finely powdered tea with a special taste. You might find it served with water in sushi restaurants, which is a simple but nice experience.
Uji is a well-known brand of matcha that you'll see on tea bags and even ice cream. Uji is a place close to Kyoto, and they're famous for making really good matcha. This is because of the way they grow the tea, the soil there, and how well they make it. So, if you're looking for quality matcha, keep an eye out for Uji.
In Japan, you can also find other kinds of tea like barley tea and roasted green tea in local supermarkets.
I looked for Uji-Matcha, which has a strong flavor. Places that have Uji-Matcha usually have other good kinds of matcha too. This helped me know where to find the really good matcha, not just the basic ones. I also got a roasted-matcha powder that was really nice. I remember Nishiki Ichaya in Kyoto being good for this.
If you're in Tokyo, there are some great places to get matcha. IPPODO is a place where you can find good matcha. They have different levels of matcha, and even the second-best kind is amazing. Matcha can be really expensive outside Japan, so it's a good idea to get some here. When you're in Tokyo, go to the IPPODO store in the basement of the Keio Department store near Shinjuku station. But also keep an eye out for smaller shops in neighborhoods. They're easy to spot and have lots of tea and tea-related things.
IPPODO
In Asakusa, which is also in Tokyo, check out a shop called Suzukien. They sell matcha and even different types of matcha ice cream. I love matcha, so I really recommend it.
Suzukien
Uji Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream found near Asakusa
Drinking matcha at a tea ceremony in Gora, Japan
Pocky
Pocky
Pocky, also known as "ポッキー" (Pokkī) in Japanese, is a snack introduced by Glico in the 1960s. These chocolate-covered biscuit sticks come in various sweet and creamy coatings.
What's more, Pocky offers an exciting range of innovative flavors, such as Milk Chocolate (the classic Pocky), Crunchy Strawberry Heartful, Almond Crush, Butter Caramel, Cookies and Cream, Blueberry Heartful, Matcha Rich Green Tea, Chocolate Banana, and Yubari King Melon.
My kids love Pocky!
Sake
Sake (pronounced "sah-keh") is a traditional Japanese rice wine made from fermented rice, water, yeast, and koji mold.
Sake Collection
Prices for sake vary based on factors like brewing method, rice quality, brewmaster skill, and aging.
You can find sake in souvenir shops, Japanese restaurants, liquor stores, and sake tasting events.
Wagashi
Wagashi
Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets like Dorayaki, Mochi, Manju, and Namagashi. Each kind has its own special taste and texture, and they're made with great care.
You can find these treats in shops called "wagashi-ya," as well as in supermarkets and stores. Don't worry, they're easy to find all over Japan when you visit.
Wagashi for sale at Roppongi (六本木)
You can also try them during a traditional tea ceremony in Japan. This makes wagashi taste even better because of the special atmosphere.
Savoring wagashi at a tea ceremony in Gora, Japan
A pro tip: wagashi expires quickly, usually within a few weeks. If you're buying them as gifts, timing is crucial.
Get them just before leaving Japan to ensure they don't expire before reaching your loved ones. This knowledge comes from a slightly embarrassing experience of buying too much wagashi on my first trip!
KitKat Bars
KitKat Varieties
KitKat Bars, introduced by Nestlé in the early 1970s, are chocolate-covered wafer treats that have become iconic.
They offer an array of interesting flavors, ranging from matcha green tea and sakura (cherry blossom) to wasabi and Yubari melon.
KitKats are often associated with the phrase "Kitto Katsu," which sounds like the candy's name and translates to "You will surely win." This linguistic connection makes KitKats a popular gift for students facing exams or challenges.
I particularly like that each KitKat package also features an inspiring quote.
My KitKat Bars with inspirational quotes
Gifts For Kids
Japan is a treasure trove of cute items that are perfect for kids.
Gachapon
Gachapon, a type of vending machine, dispenses small toys or collectibles in exchange for a coin or token. The term "gachapon" mimics the sound the machine makes when the toy capsule drops into the collection bin.
Prices for gachapon range from 100 yen to 1000 yen ($1 USD to $10 USD).
Parents, beware! Gachapon can be addictive, so set a budget for both your kids and yourselves.
Anime Figures
Akihabara
When it comes to buying anime figures in Japan, you have some cool options. Akihabara (秋葉原) is a famous spot where you can find both popular and rare figures, but it can get really crowded and things might be pricey. On the other hand, Nakano Broadway (中野ブロードウェイ) is a bit more chill, with a wide range of figures at better prices. There's also Otome Road in Ikebukuro (池袋), which is a bit quieter and has some unique stuff.
If you're into snagging figures on a budget, there are these special shops known as "thrift stores" like HobbyOff and Treasure Factory. They sell figures that come from places like arcades and often offer really good discounts. Then there's Mandarake, a big player for secondhand figures. They have different shops in Nakano Broadway, each focusing on certain types of goodies. Checking their prices can give you a good idea of what's a fair deal.
Hobbyoff
For Prize figures, which are a certain type of collectible, Rashinban is your go-to. They're honest with their prices. If you're in Osaka, there's DenDen Town for figure shopping, but Jungle and Suruga-ya might have better prices. Mandarake's also set up shop there.
DenDen Town
Nakano Broadway is like a treasure trove, especially the Mandarake stores. You can totally lose track of time there. And don't forget about Treasure Bomb in Osaka – they've got some great finds.
Nakano Broadway
So, Akihabara's awesome but can be pricey, Nakano Broadway's less crowded and cheaper, and thrift stores and Mandarake are ace for deals.
Tech Enthusiasts
Laptops
For tech bargain enthusiasts, Japan offers a unique opportunity. While the price of laptops in Apple Stores is similar to global rates, used laptops are more affordable.
Akihabara, especially stores like BIC Camera, is an excellent place to find second-hand MacBooks at discounted prices compared to the US.
Mechanical Keyboards
Tokyo is a paradise for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Yodobashi Akiba and Bic Camera Shinjuku (inside Odakyu Halc) provide impressive displays of keyboards. For boutique and niche keyboards, consider visiting Yushakobo near Akihabara station.
FAQs
Are things in Japan expensive?
If you come from another country rather than Japan, how expensive things seem the exchange rate of your home currency to the Japanese yen.
As someone from US, with exchange rate 1 USD to over 140 JPY in 2023, everything seems a lot of cheaper comparing with US. For example I pay $10 USD for a bowl of ramen in USD, but in Japan, it may cost 1000 yen, but after exchange rate, it is about $7 USD.
Also, it depends on where in Japan. I've found in major cities like Tokyo, food and accomendations are cheaper, while in small cities like Hakone, they are more expensive.
What are more expensive in Japan than in US?
Fruits and vegetables!
Due to Japan's limited land for farming, the variety of domestically grown produce is also limited. As a result, many items are imported from overseas. I've even come across oranges that were imported from California in the United States. Naturally, their price is significantly higher in Japan.
In the US, a watermelon typically costs around $5 each, while in Japan, it's about $20 – and that's without considering the popular square watermelons that can reach up to $200.
How much does Japan trip cost?
The cost of a trip to Japan can vary widely depending on factors like the duration of your stay, your travel style, and your choice of accommodations.
On average, budget travelers might spend around $100 to $200 per day in Japan, while mid-range travelers may spend between $200 to $400 per day. High-end travelers can expect to spend more.
I also wrote about the expense breakdown for our trip to Japan in 2023. Hope it is helpful!
Remember, these are just ideas, but keeping your wallet safe is your responsibility! 🤣
If you're wondering about other niche items to buy in Japan, a trick is to search eBay for sold items with keywords like "from Japan". (Try it yourself!) This will reveal what people outside Japan are seeking.
Search results for popular buys from Japan on eBay
