This post provides top 9 gift ideas from Japan for someone who has a strong interest in Japanese culture, the kawaii genre, or contemporary Japanese living. Let’s give the best Japanese gifts to bring home that evoke the spirit of the country!
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Top 9 Gift Ideas From Japan to Bring Back Home
Here at bespokesgifts.net, we recognise how important it is to have one-of-a-kind mementos from international trips. There are many options available when it comes to visiting Japan, a nation rich in culture and craftsmanship. You can choose from the top 9 presents to bring back from Japan that are listed here.
- Matcha Tea Set
Is smooth and foamy matcha tea every morning your lifestyle? If your special someone shares your sentiments and appreciates this steaming Japanese beverage, you might want to consider getting them a matcha tea set. This set, which consists of a bamboo whisk (chasen) and a spatula (chashaku), has everything needed to prepare authentic matcha tea at home in accordance with artistic guidelines.
- Beautiful Japanese Tableware
Offer real Japanese tableware to all the foodies in the world! This is the kind of refined, exquisite Japanese craftsmanship that begs to be served. In Japanese cuisine, visual appeal and flavor are just as significant as actual taste. For this reason, Japanese crockery is frequently regarded as authentic artwork. You can easily find the ideal tableware to delight your loved ones, whether it’s teacups, rice bowls, or sushi sets.
- Japanese Chopstick Case
Every Wednesday, is sushi night at your friend’s house? Present a lovely pair of Japanese chopsticks to him/her! Gifts of chopsticks are classy and practical. Ideal for creating a stunning Japanese table and soaking up the ambience of a Tokyo eatery. Store usually provides wooden or sturdy cardboard boxes with traditional or modern Japanese chopstick sets. If you choose this among our top 9 gift ideas from Japan, don’t forget to take into account the carrying case or the chopstick rest!
- Bento Box
Someone in the family who enjoys grabbing lunch on the run? A lovely Japanese bento box would make a great replacement for that outdated Tupperware! Bento boxes come in a variety of forms to meet a wide range of preferences and needs. They are made of food-grade plastic or wood. Eating in a beautiful box is far more enjoyable than eating from a regular plastic container. Bento boxes come with sections so you may divide up your meal. Ideal for putting up a visually appealing display that will make you crave food!
- Ramen Bowl for Food Lovers
Is the person you want to give gift from Japan ideas to an enthusiast of Asian cooking? Is ramen and other Japanese soups an area of expertise? Give them the chance to sample their preferred meal in an authentic Japanese ramen bowl! These ramen bowls, adorned with traditional themes or Japanese dragons, are handcrafted in Japan in strict accordance with artistic guidelines. They also make lovely serving dishes or salad bowls in a contemporary western kitchen. Perfect as a present for those who enjoy elegant tableware and Japanese cuisine.
- Japanese Cushion Cover
These lovely cushion coverings with Japanese motifs will make interior design enthusiasts happy. When positioned on a couch, armchair, or elegant chair, this present is ideal for adding a touch of Japanese design to a room or living area’s décor. One benefit of having a cushion cover is that it is machine washable. Whether your loved one is a die-hard fan of Japanese animation or the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun, you are sure to discover a design that will entice them! Traditional, cute, inspired by Japanese anime or iconic landscapes of the archipelago!
- Super Comfy Japanese Pajamas
This two-piece cotton suit can be worn indoors as a cozy outfit or as a unique pair of pyjamas. It doesn’t require a belt, unlike kimonos, and its elastic waist fits all body types for optimal comfort. The jinbei is a traditional male garment that comes from the samurai, which makes it a great Japanese gift idea for guys. Women can now purchase jinbei, which come in lovely traditional designs like cherry blossoms or more contemporary ones like sushi or cats. Your loved ones will admire the traditional Japanese prints, such as the seigaiha wave.
- Daruma
If you want to wish a loved one success, a daruma is the ideal one among our top 9 gift ideas from Japan. This odd circular doll, which has no limbs or legs, represents tenacity, good fortune, and achievement. The legend of Bodhidharma, a well-known Buddhist monk and the forerunner of the Zen school, served as inspiration for the story.
The Daruma is a pledge figurine used to accomplish goals in Japan. To accomplish this, just state your goal in unambiguous terms and then paint a first student on the Daruma to show that you are committed to the project. After that, you should put this in a visible location in your house so you may see it every day and remember your objective. After achieving the objective, painting the second pupil can restore the Daruma’s sight.
- Japanese Lantern
Because they are so reasonably priced, you could even purchase multiples of lanterns to simulate a sushi bar or restaurant atmosphere in your own kitchen. Its rice paper allows the light to be softly dispersed, creating a calming lighting.
There are also ball-shaped Japanese paper lanterns with patterns of cherry trees or bamboo. These globe lights will be used to create a transient Japanese garden in the summertime by hanging them from tree branches. Imagine hanging out with your pals more often while sipping an aperitif in the soothing glow of beautiful Japanese lanterns, beneath the sky.
What Gift is Famous in Japan?
Top 9 gift ideas from Japan are presented above, but what is well-known in Japan? Go into the realm of Japanese gift-giving and explore the popular gifts from Japan that have won people across the world.
- Japanese Tea Set: Adorn yourself with an exquisite Japanese tea set, which usually consists of a tray, teapot, and teacups, to embrace the custom of the tea ceremony.
- Furoshiki: These adaptable fabric wraps function as a present in and of themselves as well as a container for gifts. They can be used for a variety of things, such as beautiful displays and item carrying.
- Origami Kits: These kits, which come with gorgeously patterned papers and instructions for folding traditional Japanese paper crafts, can inspire creativity and mindfulness.
- Wagashi: Treat your taste buds to traditional Japanese confections, which are frequently finely made and decorated with seasonal themes. They make a lovely treat or are ideal for tea time.
- Noren: Traditionally made cloth dividers that are hung in windows or entrances and frequently embellished with beautiful patterns or symbols, Noren lend a touch of Japanese beauty to any area.
- Bento Box: Suitable for people who value aesthetics and functionality equally, a chic bento box presents food in an exquisite manner and is the best Japanese gift for picnics or packed lunches.
- Japanese Calligraphy Set: Encourage admiration for Japanese culture and craftsmanship by providing a calligraphy set that includes brushes, ink, and paper so that this age-old craft can be explored.
Where to Go Souvenir Shopping in Japan?
The following places have an abundance of locally produced traditional souvenirs to bring back from Japan. So, make sure to leave extra space in your suitcase for these top 9 gift ideas from Japan, as they are not often seen outside the nation!
Tokyo
- Asakusa: Nakamise-dori, the expansive thoroughfare adorned with stores and kiosks that ascend to the imposing Senso-ji temple. It’s one of Tokyo’s busiest shopping avenues. Numerous regional culinary specialties, paper lanterns, umbrellas, lucky charms, and even Samurai swords may be found here! Enter this well-known street through the Thunder Gate.
- Yanaka Ginza: Perfect for buying artisan goods from ceramics to knives to blades and more, my guide to Old Town Tokyo contains all the information you need.
- Tokyo Station: This spot is well-known for its Tokyo Bananas and a wide variety of other unusual Japanese foods!
- Harajuku: Go to Takeshita-dori in Harajuku for unique mementos and auspicious charms. Oriental Bazaar in Omote-sando is your one-stop store for genuine Japanese products, including fans, kimonos, antiques, and home goods, to mention a few.
- Nakano Broadway: If you’re an anime enthusiast, Nakano Broadway is an excellent place to find your favorite merchandise instead of Akihabara.
Kyoto
- Downtown: Sanjo Meitengai Shopping Arcade on the downtown side. Finding what you’re looking for is guaranteed thanks to the 7 km of shopping arcades that crisscross between Sanjo-dori and Shijo-dori and run parallel to Kawaramachi-dori.
- Gion: The lovely alleys of Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka, which climb the slope to Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Matsubara-dori. Along these streets are numerous old-fashioned wooden speciality shops selling stuff like green tea, snacks and folding fans. If exquisite Japanese tea sets are your thing, take a diversion along Chawan-zaka, often known as “Teapot Lane,” as you make your way back down from Kiyomizu-dera.
Osaka
- Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street: One of Osaka’s most traditional retail areas is Shinsaibashi-suji retail Street. There is a combination of chain retailers and independent boutiques in this area. Matcha (green tea) products are a popular choice when looking for souvenirs from Japan, so keep an eye out for these.
- Shinsekai: Knives and handcrafted foods may be found in abundance in Shinsekai, a neighborhood dating back to the Showa period. The specifics are in my guide to street food in Osaka.
Hiroshima
Shop at Hon-dori Shopping Arcade for traditional handicrafts from this region, such as rice scoop paddles, which can be used as good luck charms or displayed in your home, or momiji manju, which are maple leaf cakes with a variety of custard fillings and flavors. Okinomiyaki is a type of Japanese omelet that originated in Hiroshima. You may find all of these things here, and much more!
Miyajima
Pick up a few souvenirs from Omotesando street. Lovely furoshiki cloth, tsuko-tegata and delicious sweets unique to the Hiroshima region such as Momiji-manju can be bought here.
Takayama
Shop for wooden goods, Sarubobo dolls, textiles, and much more at Miyagawa Morning Market. The Sanmachi Suji (Old Town) district is home to sake. The neighboring Hida no Sato offers an abundance of locally made gifts.
Conclusion
There you have it – your comprehensive guide to obtaining the top 9 gift ideas from Japan. Whether purchasing for a friend or indulging yourself, these presents will transport the essence of Japan right to their front door. Prepare to be the generous ninja that was meant to be!