photo by Martin Abegglen
What do you think of Must-buy-in-japan? Kimono, Yukata, hand fan, Japanese sake, traditional hand crafts, or cool Japan staff? Yes, these “typical Japanese” things are popular among foreign tourists… sort of, but deep inside their hearts, they are cherishing something else. Do you know what the true must-buys in Japan is?
Nail clipper
photo by Tatsuo Yamashita
Yes, you can get a nail clipper from shops around every corner. That is absolutely true. But never imagine you can get this quality of nail clipper for granted. Even ordinary nail clippers are designed not to scatter around tips of nail. In addition, nail clippers with straight blades just for toe nails are secretly popular among international tourists. These nail clippers are available from general drug stores.
Backscratcher
photo by Anne Santos
You have an itchy spot on your back but can’t reach…, very frustrating, I know. Well, itchy back never bothers you if only you have a backscratcher, which is peculiarly called a “magonote (grand child’s arm)” in Japan. Backscratchers are sold all over the world, but somehow they don’t seem to be commonly used other than in Asia. Japanese backscratchers are typically made of bamboo which gives a gentle touch. While bamboo backscratchers can be purchased from hundred-yen stores, stretching ones made of metal about 1000yen are also becoming popular. This item is made just for scratching itchy back and it is actually no use except for scratching your back, but it does a great job.
Various KitKat
A combination of crispy wafer and yummy milk chocolate is almost addictive, KitKat has been loved all over the world. You may be familiar with few other flavors of KitKat like peanut butter or dark chocolate, but not many variations are available for this mega hit snack, right? Visit one of the seven KitKat Chocolatory shop in Japan that introduces amazing new flavors of KitKats. Strawberry, Pistachio & grapefruit, Green tea & soy, Passion fruits and many more new flavors have been released and gained great popularity from international tourists. Also, special KitKats collaborated with local foods are available from some expressway service areas.
KitKat Chocolatory Ginza
Address: 1st & 2nd floors, Oak Ginza Building, 3-7-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-6228-6285
Cooking knives
photo by Norio NAKAYAMA
As can be seen in the history of Japanese sword making, the Japanese has been keen on making blades sharp. Well, people no longer use Japanese sword in everyday life, their passion for blades are still alive in a cooking knife manufacturing. Japanese cooking knives created by long-established manufacturers cut tomatoes, onions or whatever super cleanly, receiving universal praise for its quality. Japanese cooking knives are sold in knife shops in many other countries, but prices are comparably cheaper in Japan and typically around 10000yen.
Stationeries
A stationery shop is one of the places you should visit during your stay in Japan. Generally, a place is full of easy-to-write gel ink pens, comfy-grip mechanical pencils, beautifully designed binders, L-shape pockets and many other colorful, well-designed items. In addition, prices of paper products are very reasonable. Simply designed stationeries from shops like MUJI are also popular among foreign tourists. Each item is rather cheap, so great for little gifts for families and friends, and of course yourself.
Whisky
photo by Ishida Naoki
You probably know good Japanese sake and beers, but did you know that Japanese whiskey has been attaining a worldwide reputation during the past decade? Yoichi, Taketsuru and From the Barrel by Nikka, as well as Hibiki, Yamazaki and Hakushu by Suntory are the best known. You may have seen those brands in your country as the manufacturers have already made their positions in the international market. Nikka and Suntory brand whiskies are available in duty free shops in airports. These are worth trying.
Fabrics
Japanese apparel fabrics, especially cotton fabrics, can be purchased from craft shops or fabric shops in other countries. There are many craft shops in Japanese cities for people who love sewing, handmade and DIY. Those shops typically have huge stock of apparel fabrics, linen and furniture fabrics. Many fashion and handmade lovers from overseas visit these shops to stock up their favorite fabrics while they are in Japan. Nippori Fabric Town in Arakawa-ku Tokyo is a widely known shopping spot with more than 80 fabric shops standing along the 1km street. All kind of sewing necessaries are available there. Large sewing & knitting supply chain such as Yuzawaya are worth visiting too.
Plastic cling wraps
photo by masa osada
Saran Wrap by Asahi Kasei and Krewrap by Kureha are the top two brand of plastic wraps in Japan. But wait, plastic wraps are such common products all over the world, then why people love to buy it in Japan? The reason is, the excellent quality of those Japanese plastic wraps. Having a trouble when you get the wrap off the roll, the wrap is not cut properly and hopelessly stretches, or the wrap sticks itself…, all these are the common pains of cling wraps, but never of Japanese ones. Easy to draw out and clean cut, you feel no stress at all when you use Japanese wrap films. In addition, they are available in three sizes of 30cm, 22cm and 15cm for your convenience.
Moisturizing tissue paper
Red, irritated skin around a nose from blowing is very common after a cold or hay fever. Moisturizing tissue paper, which has become very popular in Japan in recent years, is super soft, light textured tissues. It feels more like soft cloth rather than tissue paper that never make your skin red even after hundred times blowing, and is amazing many foreign tourists. Moisturizing tissue is available in boxes, but pocket issues are a lot handier for take-home gifts. Prices varies slightly depending on stores, but general idea is about 300yen for 16pack of pocket tissues.
Keep one as a souvenir
Generally, more practical items tend to catch attentions from international tourists. Most of the items introduced in this column are available all around Japan. Other than these items, sweets and snacks from convenience stores and Japanese ceramics got many likes as well. Finding a little nice thing brightens up the entire memory of your trip. Hope you will find your own “little souvenir” while your stay in Japan.
Related Article:
What Foreigners find “expensive” in Japan
Things that are “cheaper” in Japan
What is so great about Japan? Things Japan is crowned No.1
Common sense or absurd? Things you see only in Japan
Common sense is uncommon, things you hardly see in Japan
