After ~2 years I’m heading to Canada for in August to visit family and friends. I want to buy ‘Japanese’ or Tokyo gifts for everyone. Budget maybe ¥5000-10000 per person but could go higher for some. Some men some women on gift list (maybe doesn’t matter depending on gift idea!).
Any suggestions on good gifts? Or good store to browse for them? (I’m in central Tokyo / Minato-ku)
I’ll bring back some food items and snacks but I’m thinking here more of non-food.
Thanks!
8 comments
Definitely no shurikens. Prohibited device. Same category as an AK-47.
I gifted my dad a handmade japanese chef’s knife and he absolutely loves it, uses it every day. The one I bought is way over your budget but you can find cheaper ones too.
I’ve done fancy chopsticks (you can get them engraved with the recipients name) with chopstick rests. You could add a bowl if you liked.
Bento boxes are also nice, and gaining in popularity overseas.
It sounds like everyone is an adult but if you have kids to buy for I really like those super soft mochi texture plushies
A nice fan can go down well imo. Also lacquer wear is nice as a gift.
If people like decorative things to display in their house, then perhaps kokeshi dolls, a tengu mask or an Akabeko.
For decorative things that can be used if desired rather than just displayed, you can buy secondhand obis. Many foreigners like to use them as table centerpieces, running down a long dining room table. Or a nice sensu which of course can be used or just framed as a decoration.
If someone likes cooking then there’s nothing better than a good Japanese knife. Just make sure when you go to a store to buy a knife that they can actually use, since there are so many that are very specific to a type of ingredient. Also note that high-level Japanese knives are designed for right handed use. If the person is left-handed they would need a special left handed knife.
Instead of a knife, there are lots of other specialty items/gadgets that can be used in the kitchen that someone who loves cooking might appreciate.
Speaking of food, there are those special spoons for eating ice cream that conduct the heat from your hand into the spoon so that it makes it easier to eat hard frozen ice cream without waiting forever. It’s one of those quirky items that an ice cream lover might enjoy.
Stationary goods are also very popular. Go to a store like Seikaido or Itoya for people who love that kind of thing.
Of course you might have friends who are really into anime and the whole Otaku culture stuff. I can’t speak to that but I’m sure you can find stuff they would like at Animate, Nakano Broadway or of course Akihabara
Not very creative but I just went to Loft today and bought a wind-chime(fuurin) for my auntie back home as well as some cute 和 3D pop-up postcards with dogs on it.
A Japanese friend of mine went to Canada, gave his host family a stylish folding fan and heard they were super delighted with it!
If you have no particular idea about what to give, Loft(as well as Tokyu Hands) is a good place to go and get ideas I think!
Good luck and tell us what you got in the end!
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