Every person who travels abroad usually purchases souvenirs to bring back home. When I pick up some souvenirs in Japan, instead of choosing random or good-looking ones for myself, I look for ones with a special meaning for the Japanese culture. Thus, I can tell stories when I’m back home! In this photo story, I want to show some of my special souvenirs and explain their meaning.
- 1 min read
Souvenirs from Japan
Souvenirs with special meanings
![Elena Lisina Elena Lisina](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/242842747/240x240!/5937a94e67ba81b54e5cdb14.jpg)
By Elena Lisina
Community writer
![Tiny objects are very popular in Japan. This porcelain plate from Nara is only 5cm in diameter!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154312/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154312.jpg)
Tiny objects are very popular in Japan. This porcelain plate from Nara is only 5cm in diameter! (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Shinto is Japanese religion, so souvenirs from Jinja are very special for Japan. They're used for home altars named "Kamidana". This one is from Fushimi Inari Jinja.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154299/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154299.jpg)
Shinto is Japanese religion, so souvenirs from Jinja are very special for Japan. They're used for home altars named "Kamidana". This one is from Fushimi Inari Jinja. (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![This is a bell from Meiji Jingo which is my favorite place in Tokyo. Buying souvenirs in jinja I want to support them.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154300/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154300.jpg)
This is a bell from Meiji Jingo which is my favorite place in Tokyo. Buying souvenirs in jinja I want to support them. (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Jizo is a guardian for travelers, so I needed His guard during my trips. This tiny one I bought in Nara. Jizo did his job very well!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154301/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154301.jpg)
Jizo is a guardian for travelers, so I needed His guard during my trips. This tiny one I bought in Nara. Jizo did his job very well! (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Sumo is a Japanese national sport and is very important. Every time I watched TV news, they ended with sumo news, so I picked this pair!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154302/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154302.jpg)
Sumo is a Japanese national sport and is very important. Every time I watched TV news, they ended with sumo news, so I picked this pair! (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Temari - balls decorated with thread embroidery - is a very popular craft in Matsumoto, so I couldn't miss it and found few old ones](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154303/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154303.jpg)
Temari - balls decorated with thread embroidery - is a very popular craft in Matsumoto, so I couldn't miss it and found few old ones (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![This paper doll from Matsumoto has a temari pattern on her kimono](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154304/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154304.jpg)
This paper doll from Matsumoto has a temari pattern on her kimono (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![The Animal Calendar is very popular in Japan. There are 12 animals in it and every year I pick its symbol. Hitsuji (a sheep) year was 2015.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154305/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154305.jpg)
The Animal Calendar is very popular in Japan. There are 12 animals in it and every year I pick its symbol. Hitsuji (a sheep) year was 2015. (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Uma (a horse) was year 2014. The animal symbol may be set on a platform and has a golden screen behind it.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154306/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154306.jpg)
Uma (a horse) was year 2014. The animal symbol may be set on a platform and has a golden screen behind it. (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Tetsu (a dragon) was year 2012. Another version of a souvenir is a ceramic bell.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154307/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154307.jpg)
Tetsu (a dragon) was year 2012. Another version of a souvenir is a ceramic bell. (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Saru (a monkey) is year 2016. I always display them at home hoping for good luck in a year!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154308/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154308.jpg)
Saru (a monkey) is year 2016. I always display them at home hoping for good luck in a year! (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Usagi (a rabbit) was year 2011. It was the first year when I visited Japan and it was very lucky, indeed!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154309/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154309.jpg)
Usagi (a rabbit) was year 2011. It was the first year when I visited Japan and it was very lucky, indeed! (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Year of the Uma (a horse)! This was made of paper mache and has an arrow that is very typical of a New year in Japan.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154310/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154310.jpg)
Year of the Uma (a horse)! This was made of paper mache and has an arrow that is very typical of a New year in Japan. (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Miyagi Prefecture is famous for its wood cratfs. These spinning tops were made for me by a Kokeshi artist.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154311/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154311.jpg)
Miyagi Prefecture is famous for its wood cratfs. These spinning tops were made for me by a Kokeshi artist. (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![This ceramic bell of a Buddist monk reminds me that I've met them standing and accepting charity all over Japan. They were very patient!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154313/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154313.jpg)
This ceramic bell of a Buddist monk reminds me that I've met them standing and accepting charity all over Japan. They were very patient! (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![This ball transforms and is special for Kawagoe. If you throw it in your hand a few times it transforms into another color!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154314/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154314.jpg)
This ball transforms and is special for Kawagoe. If you throw it in your hand a few times it transforms into another color! (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![One more tiny creature from Gora - goblin made of clay is only 4 cm tall](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154315/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154315.jpg)
One more tiny creature from Gora - goblin made of clay is only 4 cm tall (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Tottoro is my favorite character of Miyazaki Hayao, so I couldn't miss him!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154316/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154316.jpg)
Tottoro is my favorite character of Miyazaki Hayao, so I couldn't miss him! (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![Cat-bus is also one of the characters of famous anime film "Tonari no Tottoro"](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154317/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154317.jpg)
Cat-bus is also one of the characters of famous anime film "Tonari no Tottoro" (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
![My favorite Pokemon is Pikachu! All those characters come from Japan and are world famous!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/30704-154318/1000/nara-souvenirs-from-japan-154318.jpg)
My favorite Pokemon is Pikachu! All those characters come from Japan and are world famous! (Photo: Shiroi Tenshi)
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Kim
5 years ago
The mini porcelain plate is gorgeous! So much detail in something so small!
Yes! Small things in Japan are always amazing! :)
2 comments in total
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