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Going to Japan, especially Tokyo, is all about the culture, the food, and the overall experience. That’s not to say you can’t get some really cool things on your travels, because you definitely can. I’m talking about items such as souvenirs for yourself, friends, and family. Just what kinds of gifts and merch can you find in Tokyo?
Tokyo has its fair share of unique souvenirs you should add to your shopping list, such as:
- Japanese knives and kitchenware
- Skincare with gold and silkworm cocoons (which is better than it sounds, promise!)
- Washi paper
- Tenugui
- Ukiyo-e Art
- Kintsugi
- Aizome
- Sanrio Merchandise (Hello Kitty)
- Tokyo Banana
- Hiyoko
- Green Tea
- Senjafuda Straps
- Origami paper
- Japanese incense
- Japanese whiskey
- Flavored KitKats
Did any of the above items catch your fancy or make you curious (or hungry)? I’m sure they did. You’ll want to keep reading then, as in this article, I’ll talk more about each of these awesome souvenirs, even sharing where you can find them. Your fun shopping day awaits! Let’s get started.
17 Unique Souvenirs You Can Find in Tokyo
1. Kitchen Supplies at Kappabashi
Okay, so on the surface, kitchen supplies might not sound super unique, but wait until you visit the store in which you can find them. It’s known as Kappabashi and it’s a fun little slice of Japanese culture and cookware all rolled into one.
You can’t really miss this shop on Dougu Street, trust me. The building features a giant chef’s head protruding from the roof. If that doesn’t make you inclined to go inside, then I don’t know what will. (Take a look at the shop here. How can you pass up a place like this?)
If you’re looking for kitchenware like bowls, cups, and other supplies that are authentically Japanese, this is the spot to find them. Just make sure you choose your kitchenware carefully before trying to get it through customs! You also want to gently pack anything made of glass or ceramic so it doesn’t break.
2. Skincare with Gold and Silkworm Cocoons at Makanai Cosme
There’s absolutely no shortage of skincare and makeup shops in Tokyo, but I thought Makanai Cosme’s array of products certainly fit the bill for a unique pick. Created in 1999, before Makanai Cosme came to be, the female founders had started the Yoshitaka Gold-Leaf Foundry.
Their products include gold-flecked soaps and skincare made with the cocoons of silkworms as well as konnyaku, a Jello-like food that comes from yams and potatoes. Now, silkworms may sound like a strange pick to put anywhere near your face, and that’s fair. It turns out the insect produces sericin, a type of protein packed with amino acids. Seriously, there are 18 such acids in sericin. These include glycine, aspartic acid, and serine.
Although the texture of sericin is sort of gross (it’s gummy and sticky), it can improve your nails, skin, and hair, says Science Beauty Gal. Also, it can moisturize the skin, boosting its elasticity and reducing wrinkles. So yeah, it’s not all bad, not at all.
3. Washi at Tokyo Kyukyodo Ginza Honten
Everyone is pretty familiar with Washi tape, which has made a big splash here in the United States over the past couple of years. Over in Japan, you’ll find what’s known as washi paper. This thin, crepe-like paper is almost like the tissue paper you’d find here.
Washi comes from the kozo bush (also known as paper mulberry), the Edgeworthia chrysantha or mitsumata shrub, as well as the gampi tree’s inner bark. The word translates to mean Japanese paper, so it’s quite fitting. Although it looks flimsy, it has more durability compared to other wood pulp papers.
While sure, you could always get washi paper online at any arts and supply store, you’re in Tokyo, so you might as well pop into a shop and pick up some of this lovely paper in person. One such shop in which you can do that is Kyukodo Ginza Honten. Not only can you find washi there, but crafting items and lots of washi products, including origami animals. It’s a quaint, beautiful shop in which you can get lost in for hours.
Once you get back to your hotel, why not try making an origami animal or two yourself. It’s lots of fun.
4. Tenugui at Kamawanu
Never heard of tenugui before? These are Japanese cotton hand towels. They’re not very thick, nor are they large, about 35 centimeters by 90 centimeters. That’s 13.78 by 35.43 inches. These towels are woven and then colored with a pattern through dying. They’re intentionally frayed on the shorter ends to give them a specific appeal.
You don’t just have to use a tenugui to dry your hands. They’re also favored for covering bottles, decorating homes, and used fashionably in the form of scarves or headbands. One of these towels would make a wonderful gift for any of your loved ones. What’s even better is you can easily pack a tenugui in your luggage since they’re lightweight and very foldable.
One such store I’d recommend for getting your own tenugui is Kamawanu. You’ll find a countless selection of these towels here in all the patterns, styles, and colors you could imagine.
5. Ukiyo-e Art at Ibasen
Dating back to the Edo period, Ukiyo-e folk art has bright, rich colors and vivid designs sure to leave you in awe. If you want to get your hands on some authentic art yourself, I suggest you visit Ibasen. This store carries a slew of fans in the Ukiyo-e style.
Not only are fans more affordable than prints or painted works (at least most of the time), but they’re functional, too. You can make all your friends jealous when you come home and bust out one of your Japanese fans with Ukiyo-e artwork.
6. Kintsugi at a Tokyo Workshop
When you break a plate or a bowl at home, you typically just sweep up the glass and throw the whole thing away, right? In Japanese culture, it’s different. Sometimes, damaged pottery gets put back together, even if it cracks. By lacquering the pieces and then covering the cracks in powdered gold, you get what’s called kintsugi. It’s a lovely reminder that even though damaged, it’s always possible to recover.
Now, finding kintsugi for sale around Tokyo is no easy feat, with TripAdvisor and online forum users asking where to buy it to pretty much no avail. Instead of purchasing kintsugi, you can always make your own by signing up for this workshop . You certainly won’t regret it!
7. Aizome at Blue and White
The amazing creation of the textiles known as aizome involves dying the material in indigo. This rich blue has a great depth of color that’s so soothing to look at. From home decorations to clothing, a dyed item of this nature would certainly put a smile on the face of a lucky friend who got one. You should pick up an aizome item or two yourself as well.
If you’re passing by Roppongi, make it a point to stop by Blue and White. This appropriately-named shop sells lots of aizome products, from towels to shirts and more.
8. Sanrio Merch at Sanrio Puroland
Hello Kitty may be a mainstay in US culture, but she and all her animal friends come from Japan. If you can’t get enough of Sanrio, then you must absolutely spend a day at Sanrio Puroland in Tama New Town, a part of Tokyo.
This theme park, which is completely indoors, was founded in 1990. Today, Sanrio Puroland attracts a huge amount of annual visitors, more than 1.5 million. You can check out rides and attractions themed to Hello Kitty and all her cute pals. In between all the fun and games, take a breather and pop into the gift shops found at the park.
No matter what kind of Hello Kitty merch you want to buy, if you can’t find it here, then you can’t find it anywhere (okay, maybe online). I’m talking luggage, purses, shirts, plush dolls, and almost everything else in between. It’s Hello Kitty heaven.
9. Tokyo Banana at Tokyo Banana
Just what is a Tokyo Banana and why should you care? It’s a not fruit if that’s what you’re thinking. Instead, it’s a type of sponge cake that has caught on like wildfire in Tokyo and the rest of Japan. Inside, you’ll find a delicious creamy filling. In that regard, it’s sort of like a Twinkie, but not quite.
Called the “official souvenir” of Tokyo, you can track down Tokyo Bananas in a slew of flavors. You can even get a Tokyo Banana with chocolate printing shaped like a panda, little hearts, leopard print, small otters, and so much. These limited edition, specialty treats often have different flavors of filling than the standard cream.
Now that your mouth is watering, you can shop for a Tokyo Banana here. Just remember to share some with your pals! Or don’t. It’s up to you.
10. Japanese Knives at Kiya Knife Shop
Once you use a Japanese cooking knife, you’ll never want to use what’s in your cutlery drawer again. Sure, you could find these knives at Kappabashi and probably many other a shop in Tokyo, but I’d point you in the direction of Kiva Knife Shop for the top cooking knives in town.
The comfort of the handle combined with the efficiency of the knife will transform your cooking experiences for the better. You can get to Kiya Knife Shop from Tokyo Station by foot, so really, you have no excuse not to stop in.
11. Hiyoko at Hiyoko Sweets
Another edible souvenir you can only find in Japan (at least the real-deal ones) is hiyoko. These cakes come from Fukuoka, but they’re available all over Tokyo as they’re just so popular. With a history that dates back more than a hundred years, hiyoko is as sweet to look at as it is to eat.
Again, it’s a sponge cake base, but this time, it’s shaped like a little chick. Sometimes hiyoko comes in chiffon cake form, but it’s delicious either way. When you know what the word hiyoko means, it’s no surprise that these treats resemble the shape they do. The word translates to baby chick. With tiny beaks and black eyes, there’s no mistaking that’s what these cakes are.
Sink your teeth into some authentic hiyoko at Hiyoko Sweets. Like the Tokyo Banana, these chick cakes come in a variety of flavors, some you can only buy for a limited time. Better order them while you still can!
12. Green Tea at Ippodo Tokyo Store
I know, I know, you can get green tea anywhere and everywhere. If you want to taste true Japanese green tea, though, you might as well pick some up while you’re in Tokyo. You can start the mornings of your trip in a great mood as you sip the stuff, or you can bring home some packets to share with friends and family.
Either way, if you want to buy or drink some really great green tea, you have to make it a point to get to Ippodo Tea Tokyo Marunouchi. Not only does the green tea here come highly recommended, but you can shop countless other teas should you want to stock up on those as well.
13. Senjafuda Straps at Ikidane Nippon
In their traditional form, the senjafuda is actually a type of paper that those who went to shrines would leave there. These days, they’re made of a wood and are the perfect souvenir to bring home and remember your amazing times in Tokyo.
At Ikidane Nippon, you can get your name translated into Japanese kanji and then carved into a wooden senjafuda strap. You even get a woven carrying handle for hanging your senjafuda anywhere in your home. Kitschy? Maybe a little, but still a nice token of your vacation nonetheless.
14. Origami Paper from the Natural Art Center Tokyo Museum Shop
Besides washi paper, you should also look for some origami paper while on your travels. The Souvenir From Tokyo shop at the Natural Art Center Tokyo Museum carries staggeringly beautiful origami paper in every color imaginable.
Whether you fold yours into fun shapes and designs or you use it for other purposes, authentic Japanese origami is a must-have if you’re looking for unique souvenirs.
15. Japanese Incense at Kyukyodo
One of the oldest incense brands in Japan—okay, one of the oldest brands in Japan, period—Kyukyodo has existed for more than three centuries. In fact, the Imperial Family got their incense from the brand back in the Edo period. That should give you a good idea of how long Kyukyodo has been around.
Today, you can find modern versions of Kyukyodo stores in Soramachi, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza, so there’s no shortage of ‘em. This stunning incense looks so appealing you might not want to light it, and I can’t blame you for that.
16. Japanese Whiskey at Shinanoya
For the alcohol connoisseurs in your life (and maybe that’s you), some Japanese whiskey would make a great trip memento. Sure, Japan is known for its sake, but you know other spirits exist, with whiskey a preferred pick of yours.
Shinanoya will deliver. You can shop for whiskey from all parts of Japan that make it. Scotches are abundant here as well, so buy that plentifully if you wish. Whether you prefer independent whiskey bottlers or those from distilleries in the form of single casks, you have plenty of choices.
Oh, and if you are in a mood for sake or wine, check out the food market portion of Shinanoya. You should be able to find both.
17. Fun Flavored KitKats at the KitKat Chocolatory
You know there are more than just chocolate KitKats out there, right? Okay, not in America, not really, but in parts of the world like Japan, you can find countless varieties. If your sweet tooth is driving your souvenir shopping, then visit either the Seibu Ikebukuro or the Takashimaya Shinjuku KitKat Chocolatory.
Some of the flavors you can get acquainted with are:
- Butter flavor
- Strawberry maple
- Moleson matcha
- Ruby
- White chocolate
- Bitter
Conclusion
Tokyo is a treasure trove of gifts, souvenirs, and trinkets. Sure, you could always get your friends and family a keychain, but why do that when you can buy countless better presents out there? The 17 unique souvenirs I presented in this article would all make for the perfect thing to give to your pals after you return from Japan. You know, unless you decide to keep them for yourself.