As soon as you land in Japan, you will notice upon arrival all of the unique, beautiful, and inexpensive things for sale. If you want to avoid bringing home an overflowing suitcase and a gasping wallet, read this short guide on one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
The joy of experiencing Japan's flavors
You are probably excited to bring home loads of snacks from Japan. However, Japan’s exclusive and wide variety of snack brands will make it hard for you to choose just one. To make picking these treats easier, here are five of my top must-haves.
The first snack, Umaibou, is cheerfully designed. It’s the cute robot-cat character Doraemon and the distinctive look that makes me want to buy one for my nieces, nephews, mom, and dad. It’s so universally liked for its crunchy corn flavor that it would be a shame not to bring some back for the whole family. To see an unboxing of this product, click here!
If you are looking for a traditional taste, consider getting a hold of the rice candy treat, kibi dango. Not only do they make for a delicious snack, they also come along with the great tale of Momotaro, the peach boy! These treats are also good for traveling since the preservatives will help them last longer.
If you lack a sweet tooth and need a bit of a kick in flavor, try Kaki no Tane. These seed-shaped senbei, or rice crackers, are mixed with seasoned peanuts. This snack has a light, crunchy texture perfect for sightseeing and bar-hopping. It's commonly found in stores or street vendors.
If Kaki no Tane are not spicy enough, try Karamucho. It’s a potato chip brand that excels in bringing the heat.
For the ride back home I recommend treating yourself to Konpeito. It’s an easy last-minute find and its colorful appearance will keep you popping one in after the other.
To keep things short, I’ve only mentioned snacks that are commonly found throughout Japan. I recommend looking in convenience stores to pick up and try out these treats!
Bringing home art
It’s not hard to find streets lined with vendors targeting tourists and collectors. The shoppers’ bustling to snag an easy bargain will motivate you to find all kinds of cool keepsakes. Items that produce music, Japanese artwork, or charms are fun discoveries.
I find the wind chime to be one of the more sentimental souvenirs, since it brings home a sound of Japan. It is common to hear wind chimes walking through a neighborhood. The light tapping on the painted glass at your home will truly remind you of a summer's day in this country.
If you are seeking to bring back a piece of traditional Japanese artwork, I recommend looking at ukiyo-e. These old-style Japanese prints hold much more than the aesthetic; you would be looking at art with 400 years of history. When you find a shop that sells ukiyo-e, ask to see their reference or illustration books.
While looking to purchase a souvenir you can also learn a little bit of Japan's history. A common gift and a personal favorite are Kokeshi dolls. The detailed, characteristic painting on the wood will make you want to keep them forever. I recommend adding these three gifts to the list of souvenirs!
Taking home a story
Once you have immersed yourself in the life of Japan, you will have accumulated plenty of stories to bring back home. With these stories you will probably have taken tons of photos along the way. I can say that sharing your experience will be the more interesting gift you bring back home. The light in your eye and the energy you will emit will enliven your listeners. So when you go to Japan, remember to bring back a story to inspire others.
Finding things to fall in love with will be common here, and bringing home a token for your friends and family to love will be all the better. It’s not about how much you bring, it's about what you decide to share.
