There are 10 souvenirs that tourists usually choose, and it's not a folding fan!
Usually everyone advises to bring a Japanese folding fan, wagashi sweets and even traditional swords. But what do tourists themselves choose to remember Japan and what souvenirs do they bring home? The answer will surprise you!
A Japanese site polled foreigners and here are their top 10.
Sushi or not sushi?
You won't be able to bring real sushi home, but you can buy a lot of things that are associated with this sushi. Japan is chock full of sushi-shaped toys and gadgets. For example, a very tasty USB flash drive. Or an adorable kit (for kids, obviously) to make sushi-shaped candy.
Ceramic pigs with mosquito coils
These special dark green insect repellent spirals, called katori senko in Japanese, and ceramic coaster pigs will allow you to remember your vacation in Japan and dream a little.
Warmer
What are you saying! And can you buy a heating pad from us? But definitely not like that. Japanese heating pads are not made of soft rubber that can be placed under your feet at night. They are cast from plastic, just like real bottles.
Protective coating for the stove
Of course, you can put foil on top of the stove and remove it in parts each time you clean. Or you can buy a set of protective coverings that, like a huge bib, will perfectly cover your stove. Most likely, this is a souvenir for yourself, because it is unlikely that your loved one will perceive it correctly.
Nail clippers
No matter how strange it may sound, foreigners believe that wire cutters are very nice souvenir. You can take, for example, those with a small magnifying glass. It looks a little weird, but it will help you trim all the fingers neatly.
Takoyaki making machine
It might be hard to stuff this into your luggage, but tourists say they wanted to bring the takoyaki (octopus dumplings) machine home!
Kotatsu
And this is even more! It's unlikely to fit into your suitcase. I can just imagine that the tourists were overjoyed from sitting for a long time on these amazing heated tables.
Pickles
Unusual Fanta and Calpis
Japan has many unusual Fanta flavors that are not available in other countries. And these tastes change with the seasons. But don't take too much with you, otherwise you risk exceeding permissible weight luggage
And, of course, we cannot forget about the drink Calpis (“Calpis”). It has a wonderful milky taste and a funny name (just say it out loud).
Piggy bank "Neko"
Last on the list, but not least. Tourists often say that they want to bring home such an amazing piggy bank. If you put a coin on the tangerine wood box in which this cute cat is hidden, he will look out from under the lid and take the coin.
Of course, no one refuses to buy traditional souvenirs such as faiths and chopsticks, but the above list is quite unusual. What would you bring home from Japan?
Often my friends order me to bring or send from Japan various things that this magical country is famous for. It all started with green tea. But gradually the list of these things increased and grew to a decent size)) And I thought again, because indeed, in Japan there are things, in addition to the well-known electronics, that it would be difficult for me to do without now if I lived in Russia. True, my daughter won’t let me write about everything at once; I only have time while she’s sleeping. Therefore, I will announce the first part of the list:
OOO, of course it is UNDERWEAR. I don’t know why, but the range of underwear for the Russian market and the Asian market for the same brands is very different. Just some kind of discrimination! In Japan, these are not even lingerie, but evening mini-dresses)) And everything is within the average range of 100-150 dollars per set. For example, I give a link to my favorite brand - WACOUL, Salute line: http://www.wacoal.jp/Salute/webstore/
Where can I buy: If you are interested quality linen, which will delight the owner for decades (yes, yes, she will get tired of it), you need to buy it in Department Stores (“depato”). There are special floors where lingerie is sold.
The following, which is now difficult to live without - COSMETICS. At first, it was difficult to understand all this diversity, and by inertia, for the first six months in Japan I used cosmetics from world brands - Chanel, Lancom... But now I understand that “I didn’t even notice the Elephant))” - I discovered There are so many local brands!
Japanese cosmetics are great, very high quality, gentle and effective. Moreover, unlike European ones, Japanese branded cosmetics (not mass market) include beauty formulas developed in the specific company’s own laboratory. Of course, hence the corresponding price. But doesn’t our skin deserve it?!) True, such cosmetics are still produced only for the local market, unfortunately. That’s why you can only buy it in Japan.
Comment: Friends! I strongly advise against buying Japanese cosmetics on Chinese websites or in Thailand. I saw a program on TV in Japan about a huge number of counterfeits of “Japanese cosmetics” ordered from China. To be honest, I didn’t think that Japanese women also neglect Chinese sites in order to save money. And then... they bite your elbows.
In general, I can talk about cosmetics for a long time, but this is a separate topic. In the meantime, for your first acquaintance, you can look at the websites of online stores of Japanese cosmetics, everything there is in Russian, accessible and understandable. For example, here
Where can I buy: If you are interested in cosmetics price category from 10 dollars per jar (even for this amount you can safely buy high-quality moisturizing or cleansing cosmetics) - you are welcome to any pharmacy (drug store) or household chemicals store. If you want to buy luxury cosmetics, then go to the Department Store (“depato”). As a rule, on the ground floor of a department store there is a cosmetic section of branded Japanese and European cosmetics.
By the way, if you want to buy cosmetics from European luxury brands (DIOR, CHANEL GIVENCHY, etc.), you can safely buy them here without fear of fakes. It is usually imported from France or produced in local licensed factories in Japan.
I always bring it from Japan UMBRELLA. Japan has been famous for umbrellas for a long time, it’s no secret. For myself, I distinguish two groups: folding lungs (usually in three folds) or cane umbrellas. It should be noted that you will almost never see the familiar automatic umbrellas in Japan; they are rarely sold. It is believed that such umbrellas are heavy and not convenient to carry. Yes, convenient to throw in your purse light beautiful umbrella and forget about it until the sudden summer rain. However, our winds cannot withstand such umbrellas)) In my collection there are already a couple of branded folding “handsome” ones.
It is known all over the world that the Japanese are absolutely obsessed with the quality of everything they produce, from cars and plasma TVs to face cream and cookies, so since childhood we have trusted everything Japanese. Modern Japan is a consumer society in the best sense words, and shopping here has been elevated to the level of art.
The Japanese love to express themselves through clothes, gadgets, cosmetics that actually work, and strange candies that taste like fried lamb or hamburger. It is better to set aside at least a couple of days for shopping in this country, especially if we are talking about Tokyo and other large cities, there is definitely something to see.
Store opening hours
Most stores in Japan are open every day, including on Saturdays - approximately 10:00-11:00 to 20:00-21:00. Many large shopping centers and department stores close later - around 11:00 pm. Some retail outlets may be closed on Wednesdays - this is not a mandatory rule, but many follow it, so it is advisable to plan your shopping trip for another day.
Small private shops operate according to their own hours, but in the central areas of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto many operate 24 hours a day. This usually applies to small shops where you can buy snacks, alcohol and essentials.
Sales
The biggest sales season in Japan comes right after Catholic Christmas and continues until the end of February. You shouldn't expect discounts before Christmas - stores don't reduce prices, since people will buy gifts for the holiday anyway. But immediately after Christmas, prices first fall by 15-20%, and closer to mid-February you can count on savings of 60-80%.
The peculiarity of Japanese sales is that not only collections of past seasons are sold with discounts, but also those that are relevant in the current one.
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What to buy in Japan
Clothes and shoes
The Japanese love fashion, appearance and clothing for them is a way of self-expression, a space for creativity and a point of application of fantasy. This is especially true for youth fashion: it is completely devoid of conservatism, it is difficult to attribute it to any style and can even be called destructive. There are many subcultures in Japan, and this often manifests itself in clothing - youth stores are full of “themed” clothing, cosplay costumes, etc., the lolita-fashion subculture is especially popular - the style of the Victorian era, in places with Gothic elements.
The epicenter of Japanese fashion is Tokyo, sometimes even collections of European designers appear here first, and only then in Milan or Paris. Shibuya is the main shopping area, where all the most fashionable shops are concentrated, most of them are expensive, prices are higher than in Moscow and in some places even higher than in London. There are a lot of brands, it is quite pointless to single out any specific ones, they are all very high quality, you should focus only on the design. Suspiciously cheap items (for example, a dress for 3000 JPY) are most likely brought from China; their quality leaves much to be desired.
The Japanese are very fond of hats and accessories - even the smallest shopping center will definitely have a department with hats and berets, and nowhere else in the world is there such a selection of gloves, scarves, knee socks, socks and other accessories.
Pay attention to the numerous rain accessories: raincoats and raincoats different colors, umbrellas, flowered galoshes, rubber ballet flats or sneakers that are indistinguishable from regular Converse, as well as rubber covers for high-heeled shoes.
Japan has its own sizing system; most of the models presented in Japanese stores are “medium Asian” sizes, which correspond to Russian 42-44. In many stores of local brands there is no size range as a fact - all things are the same size, in European Zara, Mango, etc. there are different ones, but as a rule, no more than 46. Also take into account the Japanese body type: they are not only thin, but also short height, and their arms and legs are shorter.
Japanese winter clothes for our latitudes the thing is meaningless, although beautiful. The climate in the country is very mild, so you won’t find warm clothes even at the Christmas sale. Moreover, even in cold weather The Japanese are not used to wrapping themselves up and dress up at any time of the year just for beauty.
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Cosmetics
Japanese cosmetics are breaking records for popularity in the world, along with Korean ones. Hyaluronic acid, snail mucus, algae extracts, and high tech and modern scientific developments are the secret of its success.
There are no large chain cosmetics stores in Japan; luxury brands are sold in expensive department stores, and mass market brands are sold in drugstores and pharmacies. By the way, the Japanese mass market competes quite well with European luxury.
The most popular Japanese cosmetic brands are Kanebo, Shiseido and Mikimoto Cosmetics.
Fabric masks with a “Photoshop” effect (albeit temporary) are also very popular. Worth attention are moisturizing masks with snail mucus, warming steam mask for Kao eyes (price - from 800 JPY), as well as BabyFoot foot mask with grapefruit extract, the effect of which is comparable to a procedure in a salon.
Japanese decorative cosmetics are less known in the world than skincare, but also interesting. Of the budget brands, Kose Fasio has proven itself, of the slightly more expensive ones - Ipsa, pay special attention to the mascara - it is almost perfect.
An interesting Japanese beat development - patches. These are stickers that have certain properties (one patch - one task): they relieve fatigue from the legs, remove toxins, help you sleep, relieve swelling, and some even promise to remove a double chin - a serious bid for victory. However, the patches actually smooth out wrinkles; the effect is temporary, but it’s enough for going to an important event.
In Japanese pharmacies, pay attention to dietary supplements: soda with collagen, candy with hyaluronic acid, fruit jelly for vigor and cookies for breast enlargement.
It is worth purchasing eye drops in pharmacies and cosmetic stores. They have a cooling effect and instantly remove redness and restore a rested look to the eyes. No prescription is required; in Japan, these eye drops are considered cosmetics and not medicine.
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Technology and electronics
Japan is a manufacturer of the most advanced electronics, computer and audio equipment. Here you can buy new products that are not yet available in Russia (and many will never be), and gadgets from previous years can be purchased at a 3-5 times discount. Prices vary by brand. For example, Sony gadgets in Japanese stores are unlikely to be cheaper than in Russia or Europe, but the difference in price for Panasonic equipment (in particular, cameras) can reach 50-70%.
It is profitable to buy photographic equipment in Japan, local stores huge selection models of cameras, lenses, tripods, as well as photographic film, developing chemicals and disposable cameras that instantly print pictures. Compared to Russian stores, prices can be 1.5-2 times lower. In Tokyo, large discount photographic equipment can be found in the Ginza area, but keep in mind that in most cases the warranty will only be valid within Japan.
Buying Japanese cell phones is pretty pointless. They are rarely sold without connecting to a local operator, and this can only be done if you have a visa for more than 90 days.
When buying a camera or other equipment, pay attention to what languages the menu is translated into; in some cases, only Japanese will be available. Another important point- Possibility of compatibility with Russian sockets. We are talking not only about the shape of the plug (it is different, but this problem is easily solved with the help of an adapter), but also about the voltage: Japanese sockets have a voltage of 100 volts, almost all modern equipment operates in the range of 100-220 volts, but there may be exceptions ( eg electric heaters and chargers), so pay attention to this marking.
In Japan, you can also purchase various gadgets that are unusual for our customers, for example, rice cookers and compact “smart” bread makers, electric rugs and electric blankets, many models of robotic vacuum cleaners and electric toilets with a heating function. In addition, electronics stores sell many stylish and funny accessories: sushi-shaped flash drives, phone cases from Japanese designers, etc.
In Tokyo, electronics stores are concentrated in the Akihabara district, in Osaka - in the Nipponbashi district.
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Jewelry and costume jewelry
It makes sense to buy jewelry and costume jewelry in Japan. Particular attention should be paid to pearls, their prices are approximately European, and the processing and design are much more interesting. In jewelry stores in large cities you can find white, pink and blue pearls, in particular from the Misaki brand, which uses marine motifs in its works and very elegantly combines pearls with silver. Prices for rings start from 10,000 JPY, for bracelets - from 13,000 JPY.
More a budget option- costume jewelry, in Japan it is very stylish and at the same time inexpensive. Pay attention to the Inori brand - this is costume jewelry made from stainless steel, there are products with Swarowski crystals, fashionable effect abrasions, in the form of fruits and berries, etc. Prices for rings start from 2000 JPY.
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Food and alcohol
You can bring many unusual gastronomic souvenirs from Japan: sushi and sashimi with marinated fish in sealed packaging, caviar, canned crabs, local sauces, dried seaweed and noodles. All this is sold in regular supermarkets, but if you don’t have time, you can buy it at the airport before departure - the range and prices are the same.
The most interesting thing is Japanese sweets, for example, wagashi is a traditional Japanese dessert made from rice, red beans and other natural ingredients. The appearance is important (like everything in Japan); each such “candy” is a whole work of art. Wagashi is usually served with tea, and you can buy this dessert in pastry shops or supermarkets.
Other unusual sweets are cookies with seaweed and seafood, ika - chocolate-covered squid, candies with the flavor of radish, burger, fried ribs, cabbage and other flavors that are not obvious for candy, and both tourists and the Japanese themselves are very fond of green-flavored Kit Kat chocolates tea, sake, apple, strawberry, etc.
The most popular alcoholic souvenir from Japan is sake rice vodka, but there are others less well known in the world. For example, the Herb no Megumi herbal tincture, which contains 13 herbs, is considered beneficial for health and beauty (it even has its own rating on Japanese cosmetic portals). IN pure form It is rarely drunk, usually added to tea or desserts, such as ice cream.
Another popular drink in Japan is Choya Ume Liquor plum liqueurs, which in Russia are sometimes called plum wine. This tincture is made from unripe ume plums, which are poured with strong alcohol and sugar and infused for several weeks. In Japan, this drink is considered homemade - many people prepare it at home almost in buckets and cans, but it is also sold in stores. It is difficult to drink this tincture in its pure form; it is too sweet; traditionally it is diluted with hot water or added to cocktails.
Other souvenirs
- Pottery - The Japanese are strong in pottery, and each region has its own recognizable style. Most ceramics are produced in the city of Mashiko (north of Tokyo), where you can not only buy interesting ceramics inexpensively, but also take pottery lessons;
- Puzzles and puzzles for children and adults;
- Maneki-ieko figurines - a cat with a raised paw, is considered a symbol of wealth in Japan;
- Fan and wagasa (Japanese umbrella) - fans are still popular in Japan to this day; Japanese women not only use them to escape the heat, but also protect them from sun rays white skin;
- Japanese shoes (wooden geta or more comfortable zori);
- Kimono - sold in many clothing stores and souvenir shops, the former is preferable. Since the quality of the fabric is usually better there. A cotton kimono will cost about 3500 JPY, a silk one - 7000 JPY.
Japan stores
In Japan, the concepts of “shopping center” and “supermarket” are unpopular; there are specialty stores and department stores. Japanese department stores essentially have the same assortment as shopping centers: clothing, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, groceries, etc., but the space is organized like a market. Typically, products are distributed across floors: cosmetics floor, shoe floor, jewelry, women's and men's clothing, the restaurant floor, and the ground floor is usually occupied by groceries. In large department stores there is a more detailed division - youth clothes, business clothes, cloth large sizes etc.
For shopping, it is better to choose a district rather than a specific department store, since goods of different price and other categories are usually concentrated in a certain quarter.
In the Shinjuku quarter in Tokyo there are the most expensive shops, in the Shibuya area there is a kingdom of relatively inexpensive youth trendy clothing and accessories, and the most popular shopping district, where you can find everything, is Ginza, where the country's largest department stores "Mitsukoshi" and "Matsuya" are also located. "
On Omote-sando Street in Shibuya, the selection is about the same as in Ginza, but the prices are slightly lower, although it is not as luxurious. At the end of this street there is a small quarter of Harajuku, where all the punk chic of youth fashion is concentrated: from European Zara and Mango to the clothes of metalheads, emo, goths and “lolitas”, all the Japanese freaks and fashionistas hang out here, and you can buy torn Levis inexpensively. , fuchsia velvet jacket and Mickey Mouse earrings.
The epicenter of shopping in Osaka is the World Trade Center, which is located in the second tallest building in Japan (55 floors + 3 underground). There are not only shops, but also restaurants, entertainment centers, observation decks, etc.
The most popular shopping complex in Kyoto is The Cube. It is located underground, under the railway station and is interesting for its shops of original household goods and inexpensive restaurants ( special attention there are desserts), cosmetic stores, and this is also where you can buy the most unusual Halloween costumes.
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Outlets in Japan
The largest outlets in Japan are located in the vicinity of Tokyo.
Gotemba Premium Outlets- the largest and most popular outlet in Japan, on its territory there are more than 200 stores of local Japanese and famous world brands. This is a “village” type outlet, it is a small town divided into 2 districts by a river, across which there is a pedestrian bridge. Here all year round you can find discounts from 30 to 70%; the most generous offers here are always from sports brands - Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc., as well as from Lego and Sanryo toy stores.
You can get here from Tokyo by the Gotemba Premium Outlet Liner bus, which departs every day from Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit) and Shinjuku Station (New South Exit). Buses run once a day - in the morning to the shopping complex, and back in the evening (on weekends - twice a day). The journey will take about 1.5 hours, the ticket costs 1650 JPY one way, and a brochure with discount coupons is included with the ticket.
Shisui Premium Outlets- a relatively new outlet, opened in April 2013 near Narita International Airport. There are about 120 stores here that offer discounts from 30 to 70%. You can get here by any transport that goes to Narita Airport.
Markets
- Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo) is one of the largest fish markets in the world, where more than 2 tons of fish and seafood are sold daily and employs more than 60 thousand people. Tsukiji Market consists of two sections, the first for wholesale trade and fish processing workshops, and the second for retail stores, fish restaurants, sushi bars and kitchen utensil stores. The market is open only on weekdays, it opens early, around 3:00, and by noon there is almost no one here, so it’s better to come early - around 5:00-6:00. Here you can not only buy the freshest fish and have a snack, but also watch how a huge tuna is cut with a band saw; it’s not an amateur spectacle, but it’s impressive.
- Oi Racetrack Flea Market (Tokyo) is a weekend flea market in the Japanese capital. There are about 600 outlets where you can buy antique dishes, paintings and vintage kimonos. A silk kimono will cost about 27,000 JPY, but it is still several times cheaper than in stores. Rare geta are also sold here - traditional Japanese platform sandals, but they are useful only as a souvenir, since they are designed for very tiny feet.
- Kuromon Ichiba (Osaka) is the largest food market in Osaka, affectionately known as "people's cuisine" here. Local restaurants buy their products here, so you can be sure of the quality of the products. There are many unusual delicacies on the shelves, there are snack bars and restaurants, as well as several stalls with clothes. The market is open every day from approximately 8:00 to 18:00, but each seller has his own schedule, many are closed on Sundays and holidays. Since the 8th century. They traded fish here, and for this purpose they dug many wells to store fresh fish in cold water. Today, fish is still sold here, but the assortment has become more diverse: vegetables, pickles, fruits and sweets.
Tax free
In Japan, you can save 5% of your purchase price by refunding VAT. To do this, you need to spend 100,000 JPY in a store that participates in the tax-free system, get a purchase receipt that will be pasted into your passport, and present this receipt at the airport before departure. The money will be given immediately in cash, in in rare cases You will be asked to present the purchased item. VAT is not refundable for alcohol, food, cosmetics and medicines.
Best places to shop
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- Germany: Berlin, Düsseldorf and Munich
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- Greece (fur tours): Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Thessaloniki
- Israel: Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
- Spain: Alicante, Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid (and its shops), Mallorca, Malaga, Tarragona and Salou
- Italy: Milan, Bologna, Venice, Rome,
It’s hard to write about Japanese souvenirs, and even harder to choose them.
In Japan, the meaning of the expression “eyes run wild” becomes clear to everyone, because this is a country in which the idea of giving has been elevated to the rank of a national tradition.
Remarkable under the rays Rising Sun literally everything: food and cosmetics, technology and folk crafts.
We will try to chart a course in the sea of Japanese souvenirs, choosing truly worthy things - not only for ourselves and friends, but also for a small child.
Let's get started.
From Japan with love: what to bring home
Understanding that a fair portion of travelers think practically and think about things that can later be used in everyday life, we have compiled a corresponding list for them.
- Japanese technology. Japanese electronics have long become the standard of quality and perfection, but there are pitfalls that are worth mentioning.
- First, when purchasing local electronics, be prepared for a Japanese interface.
- Secondly, prices there will be comparable to ours, and sometimes even exceed them.
- Thirdly, you will be faced with the problem of warranty service.
If you still decide to bring some equipment home, then focus on the most popular Japanese brands:
- Panasonic
- Fujitsu.
Experienced travelers advise going to Akihabara for these things.
- Cosmetics. If you want to bring some cosmetics, then pay attention to two brands that are localized in Japan:
- SK-II,
- Shiseido.
Their fame spread throughout the world.
However, there are also lesser-known cosmetic companies that only Asians have heard of.
- Mascara,
- cleansing oil,
- face masks (collagen).
And entertaining beauty gadgets:
- mini saunas,
- massagers,
- all kinds of lifting systems.
- Food. To get into the spirit of Japan, you need to eat in local restaurants that are not adapted for foreigners. Some dishes will seem strange to you (poisonous fugu fish), while others will seem completely disgusting (dishes with yunsai gravy).
In order not to go wrong with a gift, purchase a sushi set. This includes:- bowls,
- sticks,
- other necessary components.
It is also worth taking a bento with you - one-portion packaged food that will not spoil on the plane; perhaps this is all that you can bring home from food.
A kimono is the perfect gift for a girl.
Top 5 things to take out of Japan
- Maneki-neko. This amulet is designed to attract good luck and prosperity. It is a figurine of a cat with one paw raised.
Maneki-neko can be found everywhere:- in the homes of ordinary Japanese,
- in restaurants,
- in shops,
- in offices,
- in banks.
Souvenir shops are literally filled with these talismans, but the most luxurious selection is on Nakamise Street in Tokyo.
- Traditional clothes and shoes. You should definitely bring a kimono and geta from Japan.
There are different kimonos here, their classification depends on the time of year and the solemnity of the occasion. Tourists usually buy yukata - light summer kimonos.
Most often, yukata is found in ryokan (traditional inns), but the selection is more extensive in specialized shops.
As for geta, we are talking about wooden platform sandals, which are very uncomfortable to wear. Therefore, we recommend a less orthodox option - zori. - Vagasa. Umbrellas in Japan are given important. The Wagasa umbrella is made from Japanese wasa paper and bamboo.
With the help of wagasa, the Japanese protect themselves from rain, but this is not the end of the application.
You can see bamboo umbrellas at Kabuki theater performances and during tea ceremonies.
Be careful - there are a lot of plastic fakes. - Sake. We invariably associate this alcoholic drink with Japanese life.
In high-quality sake you can taste a whole bouquet of flavors:- bitter and sherry tones,
- notes of banana, grapes and apples.
If you buy an expensive drink, you will be able to recognize the taste:
- ripened cheese
- soy sauce,
- fresh mushrooms.
The color range of sake varies from yellowish-amber to greenish-lemon shades.
You can buy a bottle of sake at souvenir shop and directly at the airport.
- Bluebell furin. The sound of furin has been heard in modern offices and traditional neighborhoods since Edo times.
Typically, furin is made of metal or glass and then hung in door and window openings. The slightest breath of breeze and you hear a melodious sound.
It is best to purchase bells at fairs (Hozuki-ichi, for example).
The best gifts are made in Japan
Gift giving in Japan is considered an art and is called “Zōtō.”.
The Japanese have many reasons for giving:
- appreciation,
- condolences,
- apology,
- congratulations, etc.
So, what should you bring from Japan as a gift? There is the following classification of gifts:
- Seasonal. For example, on New Year’s Day they can give you anything, but a mandatory accompanying attribute will be “nengajo” - a special postcard.
- Ceremonial. The reason could be:
- birth of a child or pregnancy;
- boys' first holiday or first New Year.
In general, a significant event.
- By different cases . For example, the father of the family went on a business trip abroad and brought back a gift for every member of the household.
You can give gifts, being attached to Japanese traditions, or ignore oriental etiquette - this is your right.
The question of what to bring from Japan seems easy only at first glance. This is too amazing a country to limit yourself to just one thing.
Despite the fact that over the past 70 years its inhabitants have adopted much of the European way of life, a lot of ancient national traditions have been preserved here, creating an amazing fusion of latest technologies and ancient customs.
A Western tourist, arriving in Japan, finds so many unusual little things that he wants to take everything at once. Among this wealth there will be souvenirs symbolizing Eastern culture, curious curiosities that are not found anywhere else, and simply high-quality things, the fame of which is resounding throughout the world.
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What can you buy cheap in Japan?
Japan is considered an expensive country. First of all, this concerns its megacities.
It would seem that the famous Japanese equipment should have a lower cost in its homeland, but even here the tourist will be disappointed. Prices are not too different from European ones, and when exported from the country, the possibility of full warranty service is lost.
But everything changes dramatically as soon as the product sits for a couple of seasons. Models of previous years and their components can be purchased at great profit, since their place in the price niche has already been taken by expensive new items.
And there have long been legends and anecdotes about successful purchases of used products from the Japanese automobile industry by our compatriots, although the truly golden times for this business are already in the past.
Take note: better to exchange part necessary funds in local currency, especially if you plan to travel to the countryside.
Surprisingly, in one of the most high-tech countries, the attitude towards money is still more traditional than in Russia. Despite the abundance of ATMs, even in Tokyo you can’t pay with a bank card everywhere; for example, some restaurants only accept cash payments during the day, not to mention taxis and other small expenses.
Popular souvenirs from Japan
What to bring from this sunny country?
In any country there are little things that are a kind of calling card of the local culture.
Japan is full of souvenirs related to the colorful heritage of antiquity.
Many tourist shops and stalls are filled with traditional fans, umbrellas, kimonos and geta shoes.
The most popular souvenir can be called Maneki-neko - a figurine in the form of a cute cat with a raised paw. The figurine is believed to bring good luck and financial well-being.
Also, for many, the Land of the Rising Sun is associated with elegant engravings. It’s a rare traveler who doesn’t take home Japanese chopsticks and a small set of dishes.
It is worth noting: Along with porcelain dinnerware, local knives made using traditional technology are often purchased. Like many Japanese things, they are different excellent quality and will become a useful decoration for any kitchen.
What to buy in Japan from cosmetics
Japanese skin and hair care products need no introduction.
At one time, Shiseido and Biore products made a real splash on the Russian market. But this is just the tip of a huge cosmetic iceberg.
In addition to them, it is worth taking a closer look at the brands FANCL, Shu Uemura and Cle de peau. Local residents place the main emphasis on cleansing the skin and protecting it from exposure to sunlight. The most powerful sanitary units and a thorough multi-level cleaning system are about Japanese care.
If you are thinking about what to bring from Japan as a gift, then we can recommend the famous fashion house Kenzo and its products, which are traditionally associated with Japan. Some tourists even try to find official stores of this brand in Tokyo.
What equipment to buy in Japan
Many people go to this country for its unique electronics.
Despite the fact that difficulties with warranty service may arise outside the country, people confidently buy cameras, household appliances and various technical items in Japan.
And all because it is profitable - rarely of these purchases will require warranty repairs, because there is little that can compare with Japanese production quality.
When answering the question of what to buy in electronics in Japan, you should keep in mind that there are several nuances associated with local devices and appliances:
- In most regular stores you can only buy models with a Japanese interface. Reflashing it will cost a pretty penny, so for international options you need to go to duty free.
- Japanese mobile phones will also give a head start to any Chinese-assembled unit, however, alas, they are completely useless in Russia. In addition to specific input, their disadvantage is that they are blocked from working with a specific cellular operator.
What unusual things to buy in Japan
In blogs and travel programs, Japan is often presented as an amazing land full of wonders and oddities. Even ordinary food is quite specific.
For example, local desserts may not seem sweet at all, and some traditional dishes will even disgust an unaccustomed European.
Please note: Anyone who wants to buy a real samurai sword will have to give up this dream - katanas in Japan are both a weapon and a work of art, so their export is prohibited. However, you can buy replicas of these swords, not real weapons.
Few of the fair sex can resist Japanese costume jewelry and jewelry. Famous pearl farms are located here. Such products are not cheap, but, compared to the laconic European tradition, the Japanese assortment often looks more varied and interesting.
What to bring for a child from Japan
Babies in Japan are simply adored. In toy stores, a Westerner quickly realizes that something was clearly missing from his childhood.
In addition to interactive things equipped with last word equipment, a gift for a child can also be found in the souvenir shop.
Manufacturing kites And traditional dolls here it is elevated to the rank of art. For the little ones, you can purchase baby skin care kits.
Arriving in Japan, a rare tourist will be able to resist the charm of this country. And everyone will be able to take away a piece of an unforgettable world, born from the interweaving of the latest technologies and ancient legends.
You will learn what interesting things you can bring from Japan from the following video: