15 Perfect Gifts for Japan Travellers or Japan Lovers

Whether it’s Christmas gifts, birthday presents or just something to wrap up if you’re surprising someone with a trip to Japan (in which case, adopt me), there are a heap of fun Japan-themed gifts to buy someone who is travelling to Japan in the near future – or, who is pining for the place after they come back. Like these…

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

You’ll find something for everyone – and, at a lot of different budgets. Plus, there’s a few things on here from small, indepedent content creators or Japanese companies

1. An Eki Stamp Book

Eki stamps are one of Japan’s loveliest little traditions. You go somewhere, you stamp your book, you make a memory. Stamps are found at railway stations, tourist attractions and other locations around the country.

While you can use any notebook for eki stamps, a book with thicker paper that can handle ink without bleeding through is a good choice. Official eki stamp books also measure around 10.5 x.14.8 cm (4 in x 6 in).

Small books like that are actually quite hard to find (I know I’m trying to get some made) but the range by Wakako Amano on Amazon fits the bill and have some very cute designs.

2. Japan Trip Planning Cards

I’m a big fan of Amy over at Cakes With Faces and this deck of cards that she’s made is a lovely idea for those who prefer to wing their trips a little bit.

It looks like a pack of playing cards but it’s full of ideas of things to do in Tokyo so you can group things by area, find a selection of things to do on a rainy day – or just pick a card, any card. Orders also include a food-based ideas pack.

Order over at her site.

3. A Japanese Sweet and Snack Box

For someone who has visited Japan and misses the food, or, who wants to try all the things before they go, a subscription box of Japanese sweets and snacks could be the perfect present.

Sign up with a company like Tokyo Treat or Sakuraco, and every month they’ll get a new supply of seasonal snacks to remind them of their trip.

Tokyo Treat covers popular konbini style snack items, while Sakuraco (pictured above) focuses more on traditional treats with items based on seasonal flavors, local craftsmanship, and cultural traditions, that support small makers and businesses across Japan.

Or, make your own box. Head to your local Japanese supermarket or a store like Daiso and fill a box with goodies like Pocky, Crunkys, Japanese KitKats, mochi, rice crackers, Hi-Chew and other favourites.

4. Glowing Lawson/7-11/Family Mart Magnet

Do I have one of these by my desk – yes, yes I do! Thanks to my friend who bought me it for my birthday!

The convenience stores in Japan are a way of life – but they have developed a cult following outside the country- and people love these magnets of their logos.

The picture below isn’t the best – it’s much brighter than it looks in this!

I see a lot of people trying to find these in Japan, but you can’t actually buy them there, but you can buy them online at Amazon. Find a set of all three here, or, you can choose individual ones just from their favourite store.

The newest versions also play the famous songs – I’ve only seen these from KonbiniLite so far.

5. Japanese Novels

Many famous Japanese novels have now been translated into English, and while Haruki Murakami is probably the best known author, there are some others you might want to check out.

Quirky: Try Sayaka Murata. Convenience Store Woman is her best known, but, also possibly her most conventional. Life Ceremony is great for short story lovers. Also, look at Ryu Murakami. He can get a bit disturbing but, if you have a friend who likes their fiction on the dark side, try him out.

Heartwarming: If you could go back in time who would you want to meet? That’s the premise of Before The Coffee Gets Cold, the story of a cafe with magic powers to grant people that exact wish.

Action: Bullet Train by Kotara Isaka. I liked the film but the book is better. And it’s one of a series of four so if they love it you’re sorted for the next few gift giving opportunities.

My Pick: Anything by Jonelle Patrick. She isn’t Japanese but she does live in Tokyo most of the year. I have read everything she’s written. Her first novels were all set in modern Japan and cover things like host clubs and the Idol scene. Her last two books have a more historical bent – I read The Samurai’s Octopus on my last trip and knew more about the old Yoshiwara area in Tokyo than the person taking me on a tour about it!

6. Japan Astro Chart

This is such a fun idea. It’s created by Japan expert, Alyse over at The Invisible Tourist and it’s perfect for someone who has been to Japan once, but is thinking of going a second time – or, someone planning their first trip who loves astrology.

She basically tracks the perfect places for you to visit in Japan from your natal chart. This is a map of the sky at the moment you were born. It displays where each planet was positioned across the 12 zodiac signs and 12 astrological houses.

It’s said that this can affect your character, your emotions, your likes, your dislikes – and Alyse uses all of this to plan your perfect trip to Japan. 

You’lll get a 50+ page PDF that maps your planetary lines across Japan and reveals the places best suited to your energy. Alyses says ‘It’s a soulful alternative to crowded, one-size-fits-all itineraries.’

See more about it on her webpage.

7. Kyoto-Style Furikake

Furikake is the generic name for a type of seasoning that you can buy in Japan, it’s commonly used to season rice – however, the Kyoto one made by Ochanokosaisai has become a bit of a sensation.

Did your friend bring some of this home and sprinkle it on everything for six months until it ran out? Then you’ll be pleased to here that you can buy it online – although you do have you use an international shipping middle man to get it sent to you – the instructions are on their webpage.

Australians, this company also seem to sell it – but it is currently sold out.

8. Ichiran Ramen Kits

If your friend came back raving about this brand, but they don’t have a location near your home, why not bring Ichiran to them – as they actually sell ramen kits!

They don’t ship to every where so check the location carefully – but you’ll find them here.

If your gift is for someone who wouldn’t use a kit under any circumstances – but still raves about the food in Japan.

Pick them up a cookbook that lets them recreate some of their favourite dishes at home, whether that’s ramen, Japanese curry, okonomiyaki, gyoza or fluffy Japanese pancakes.

Tokyo Cult Recipes by Maori Murato covers a lot of these. Murato san grew up in Tokyo and says she aims to demystify Japanese cooking.

9. A Matcha Box

Ichiran is one addiction people pick up in Japan, matcha is another and the Tomari matcha boxes will delight anyone who got a taste for the green stuff.

Image from Tomari. Used with permission. They have asked me to state Photos show a sample box; the December cover was added digitally and lighting and background were retouched

They come from a family owned tea ceremony shop in Tokyo and contain a tin of Uji matcha and some seasonal sweets like those used in traditional tea ceremonies – you’ll also get a small booklet explaining the meaning of the choices in the box. You can pick a single gift box, or sign your recipient up for a tea subscription.

The first box in each order also includes a matcha whisk so they can start making their own brew immediately.

See more here.

Note – read the shipping times carefully if you are thinking of ordering this for Christmas this year.

10. The Gift of Language!

Yes, yes, the modern world is all about apps – but, Japanese is a really hard language to learn from scratch – trust me, I’ve been having lessons for years and totally gave up on Duolingo when it kept churning out phrases I’ll never use like ‘my sister is a high school student’ for weeks on end.

This book ’15 Minute Japanese’ was suggested to me by a teacher as a must-read and it covers many of the daily phrases someone would actually use on a trip to Japan.

The last thing that owl tried to teach me was ‘he is a cool lawyer.’ a) hopefully I’d never need that b) I’d prefer my lawyer to be qualified than cool!

11. A Yen Coin Holder

Japan is still a cash heavy society and travellers will end up with a lot of coins – especially if they don’t feel confident quickly counting them out.

A special yen coin holder makes it easy to sort your coins and see how much they are worth. This one comes in lots of different colours.

Or buy them a cute coin purse. These ones are made in Japan.

12. A Buckwheat Pillow

These are like the Marmite of pillows – but if your friend came back raving about ‘pillows in Japan with bits in’, chances are this is what they were sleeping on.

A fully filled buckwheat pillow is incredibly firm, I have one and it’s fantastic for reading in bed, but a bit firm for sleeping on.

However, the pillows in many Japanese hotels are a half and half style – half buckwheat, half polyester. These are a bit more comfy to actually sleep on. Find one here.

If you do choose a full buckwheat pillow, make sure you choose one they fill themselves so they can adjust the height to suit their sleep style.

13. Anything Godzilla

He’s an honorary citizen of Tokyo and if your friend developed an obsession with the scaly one on their visit, why not look out for something cute, and Godzilla themed – my friend once brought back a Godzilla-shaped humidifier!

Personally, I didn’t know I needed a colour changing Godzilla mug until I was coming up with ideas for this article! I also need a Godzilla colouring book.

And should you really want to spoilt them, Lego are bringing out a Godzilla set for this Christmas!

Find hundreds of Godzilla ideas here.

14. Japan Themed Colouring Books

Talking of colouring books, why not get someone in the mood for their trip (or help them pass the flight to it) with a colouring book full of Japanese themed designs.

I have one of these themed around yokai – Japanese monsters and it kept me very relaxed when I was recovering in hospital after my hip replacement and couldn’t do much. As you can see with this gorgeous example of my art I am wasted as a blogger and should become a professional colourer!

If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional this one is full of pretty Japanese motifs like cranes and koi carp.

15. A Tenugui

On unusual thing your Japan-going friend will discover when they arrive is that the public bathrooms are extremely plentiful, and extremely clean, but they don’t always have hand towels in them.

Instead, Japanese people carry a small handtowel with them called tenugui. You can buy them all over Japan, but why not save your friend the trouble of trying to track one day and pick them one up before they arrive.

These ones come from a shop in Asakusa, which I’m aware is like taking coals to Newcastle, but your friend will thank you when they are standing in the bathroom with wet hands on their first morning.

If you’re struggling to choose, you could always put together a little Japanese-themed hamper combining a few of these ideas. After all, you can never have too much Japan!

Sharing is caring!