Help – what are all the things you always buy when you’re going because you can only find them here?

So, in inspiration of the recent thread and the fact that I’ll be heading home for Christmas, I wanted to ask what everyone thinks would make for good gifts to take home, especially stuff only found in Japan.

Also – title should read

*going home

Dumb me.

9 comments
  1. The kitkat bars, I guess. Especially the green tea ones.

    Maneki neko (so many sizes, weights, colours to chose from)

    Dried squid/octopuss (check if your airline/destination permits sealed bags of these snacks)

    t-shirts (esp. reduced ones from uniqlo/GU)

    Biscuits (esp. regional souvenir types – be warned brittle ones can end up quite broken)

  2. I always give everyone a big bag of various Japanese snacks. It’s fun to see if they like it or not, and everyone likes free food.

  3. Since my family/friends back home aren’t interested or know anything about Japan, I always buy a bunch of different flavored Kit Kats. Snacks in general are always welcome I guess.

  4. If it’s food, maybe natto? I don’t think you can get through the quarantine gate at the airport.

  5. Noodles. Stacks and stacks of instant ramen. My brother-in-law loves that shit given that his only prior instant noodle experience is with that of the infamous UK Pot Noodle.

  6. KitKats are a consistent crowd pleaser.

    For kids, I buy little bento boxes and bento accessories. Stationary. Especially the pencils with jewels and charms.

  7. When I used to bring gifts from Japan to the states, I always bought quirky sweets. Like Hato Sabure, yokumoku cigars, or Tokyo Banana (Pokemon edition).

    I always loved when people back home see how cool some the sweets are here.

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