What to Buy in Japan: Japanese Recommendations

Are you wondering what to buy in Japan? As a Japanese person, let me introduce must-buy items in Japan. Let’s check out the best things to buy in Japan to bring home.

100Yen Products

100 yen shops are the stores Japanese people go in their daily lives. They offer various products, household goods, kitchenware, stationery, toys, snacks, and seasonal items. It could be anything. We can buy almost all products for 100 yen. You might not believe the quality because the price is cheap. However, recent 100 yen products are amazing. You can find almost everything you need with high quality in 100 yen shops.

 

 

Traditional Japanese Items

What you shouldn’t forget are Japanese traditional products. You can find diversified traditional items in the countryside or traditional cities such as Kyoto, Kyushu, Shikoku, and the Tohoku area. If you are planning to go to these areas, please check out the traditional items. Small souvenirs like chopsticks, sensu (folding fans), and furoshiki (wrapping cloth) are handy to bring to your country. Afterwards, you can experience Japan even in your country.

Sensu

Arita yaki in Saga prefecture, Kyusyu

Kimono

Satsuma Kiriko in Kagoshima prefecture, Kyusyu

Moreover, In most cases, skillful artisans carefully create Japanese traditional crafts. Therefore, It leads to high-quality products. Consequently, these items could become cherished items you will use for a long time to come.

 

Stationary

What I definitely recommend you to buy is stationary. Stationery made in Japan is known for high quality and durability. Additionally, the price is affordable. Stationary is available almost everywhere in Japan, not only in stationary stores but also in convenience stores or 100 yen shops.  When you go to a stationary section, you will get surprised at  the wide selection.

 

 

Japanese Saranwrap

Saranwrap is a type of plastic wrap or cling film used to keep food fresh. We usually use it in kitchens to cover bowls, wrap sandwiches, or preserve leftovers. I believe Saranwrap made in Japan stands out for its easy cutting compared to other saranwrap products commonly used overseas.

When I first lived in another country, I remember how frustrating it was when I tried to cut it. I used to cut it with scissors since it’s difficult to cut it off.

Furthermore, the price of saranwrap made in Japan is more affordable for the quality than other countries.

Additionally, if I looked for the same quality abroad, it would cost more. If your baggage limit still allows you to bring them home, saran wraps made in Japan will reduce your stress in the kitchen afterwards. 

 

 

 

Household Appliances

I highly recommend Japanese household appliances for souvenirs if you still have space in your luggage. Household appliances made in Japan are famous for their quality and reliability. I personally recommend the following household appliances.

When I went abroad, I actually brought these from Japan. These helped my life overseas and I brought back to Japan again. If I were to seek equivalent quality overseas, the price would be higher.

※If you bring Japanese electronic appliances to your country, you will need to use voltage converters and plug adapters.

 

Makita Codeless Vacuum Cleaner

Codeless vacuum cleaner is one of the things I definitely recommend. The brand I use is Makita, a Japanese manufacturer. When we think of vacuum cleaners, we come up with Dyson. I have used Dyson before, but personally, I like Makita better than Dyson because it’s lighter and more compact.

On top of that, the price of Makita is much cheaper than Dyson. If you are looking for a handy vacuum cleaner, I definitely recommend Makita.

 

Rice Cooker

If you often cook rice by yourself, Japanese rice cooker could be a nice option to buy. Japanese rice cookers can do more than just cook rice. They can also make various simmered dishes and sweets. With carefully calculated temperature and humidity settings, it cooks rice perfectly. If you are a big fan of rice, Japanese rice cookers will make your rice even better.

 

Takoyaki Maker

If you are a takoyaki lover, I also recommend a takoyaki maker. Many Japanese people bring it when they go abroad. I was one of them. If you have a takoyaki maker, it is easier to make takoyaki than you think.
Even if takoyaki flour is not available in your country, all you need is normal flour, egg, dashi powder, and a takoyaki maker.

Kids Toys

Sylvanian Families

Sylvanian Families are one of the most famous toys for girls in Japan. It was created by the Japanese company Epoch. I also used to play with in my childhood. As you can see, the tiny animal dolls and items are so cute. it attracts not only kids but adults.

Nowadays, Sylvanian Families are available in other countries, but the price is much lower here in Japan. 
There are various types of animal families such as rabbits, cats, dogs, and raccoons. Each of them is adorable and makes you feel like wanting to collect a lot of them as a collection.

Tomica

Tomica is one of the most popular toys for boys in Japan. It is made by Japanese company, TAKARA TOMY. Tomica toys reflect Japan’s transportation and automotive culture. TAKARA TOMY released a lot of models, made them popular even among adult collectors.

 

 

High-quality Clothes

We have a lot of clothes brand that are not very expensive but high-quality in Japan. You’ll find what you need from everyday wear to elegant dresses and suits for special events. A lot of people know Japanese clothing brands such as Uniqlo, Muji, and GU. Japanese people like simple, comfortable designs in natural colors. If you’re big fun of ZARA or H&M, you will like Japanese brands as well.

 

Medical Products

Medical Products made in Japan is also my recomendation to buy. Many Japanese people living abroad buy them when they come back to Japan on their vacation. This is because they trust Japanese medical products for the quality, safety, and effectiveness. Additionally, every medical product is not always available. And also, it could be much more expensive in other countries compared to Japan.

In Japanese pharmacies, there are many types of medical products available. Loxonin, comprehensive cold medicine, BAND-AID, Salonpas patches, and eye drops are popular options to buy.

 

 

Water Botoles

Japanese water bottles are also really good option to buy. They keep your hot drinks warm and your cold drinks cold even after a few hours. There are lots of brands, but my favorite one is Zojirushi. It keeps your drinks just the way you like them, and also it’s easy to clean too!

 

 

Japanese Foods

Snacks

As a Japanese person, I believe the level of Japanese snacks is beyond the world average. The snack industry in Japan is required to maintain high quality, reasonable prices, and tastiness to keep up with competitiveness.
What I think is ideal for souvenirs is that each snack is individually packaged.

Instant Noodles

Nowadays, instant noodles are something that always exists around us. They are so convenient and easy to eat. Instant noodles were first created in 1958 by the Japanese inventor and founder of the Nissin food company, Momofuku Ando. As Nissin became a big company, the price of instant noodles became more and more affordable. Therefore, Japan is ahead of other countries when it comes to instant noodles. They are poplar among foreigners who visit Japan because it is light to bring back home.

 

I have more than ten things I want to recommend. However, these things above are the first that popped up in my mind. As a Japanese person, I confidently recommend these things. If you are wondering what to buy in Japan, please consider this page as your reference.

If you are interested in Japanese food, try to take a peek at this post below.
Take Your Health to the Next Level with Japanese Superfoods