20 Unique Things You Can Only Buy In Japan
Japan, the land of the rising sun, is a unique place on Earth that seamlessly blends ancient traditions with modern innovations. It is truly a place like no other that offers some of the world’s most unique things you can only buy in japan. Picture this, you land at the airport only to be welcomed by the sweet smell of cherry blossoms and hot ramen.
Welcome to Japan, where vending machines serve hot meals and the toilets are smarter than your average smartphone. If you’re traveling to Japan and wondering what are some of the cool things you can only buy in Japan- don’t worry, we got you!
Fasten your seatbelts, because we’re going on a journey to discover things you can only buy in Japan. From funny things to buy to foods that your taste buds will thank you for, these are the 20 products that only exist in Japan.
20 Unique Things you Can Only Buy in Japan and Nowhere Else
It is no secret that Japan is famous for its rather offbeat and brilliantly innovative products. No doubt there are some really weird stores in Japan selling everything from unique foods and hightech gadgets to random souvenirs.
To save you from the trouble of investigating, we have made a list of cool things you can only buy in Japan. These are best-selling products that are cheap, unique and make for the best Japanese souvenirs.
1. Kit Kat
You cannot talk about something Japan is famous for without mentioning the unique Kit Kat flavors. I remember going bonkers when I first entered Don Quijote, the biggest discount store in Japan. I just couldn’t decide which flavor I wanted to try first. I was transported to a delectable dreamland when I first tried the Strawberry Cheesecake flavor candy.
They have over 300 unique flavors of Kit Kats including matcha, sweet potato, wasabi and so many more.
You can get them mostly in every grocery stores or e-commerce websites like Amazon, Mercari or Rakuten. Moreover, they are also not expensive. The prices vary depending on the flavor. They have limited edition kit kats depending on the time of the year which might be more expensive. But largely, you can expect the price range to be around ¥300 to ¥800, making them affordable gifts that you can buy from Japan.
2. Omamori Charms
Omamori charms are lucky charms or Japanese amulets that you can buy at any Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple. These are small silk pouches that have prayers sewn on the inside.
People believe that these lucky charms provide various forms of luck and protection. There are different types of Omamori that help in staying healthy, curing long illnesses, boosting financial success and also warning of evil spirits.
You can only find these in Japan, making them worth bringing from Japan for your loved ones.
3. Square Watermelon
If you are looking for best high end things to buy in Japan, look no further. Unique to Japan, square watermelons aim to solve storing and stacking problems that one faces with the traditional round ones. These watermelons are grown in special square boxes and take the shape of these containers.
Due to their unique shape, they are usually very expensive with prices going as high as ¥10,000 in Japan, which is about US$83. They are one of the popular gifts for special occasions. You can find these unique watermelons in high-end grocery stores like Sembikiya in Tokyo.
The popularity of cube watermelon also gave birth to other creative shapes like hearts and pyramid watermelons. These are truly unique making it one of the cool items you can buy in Japan.
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4. Wagashi
Wagashi candies are traditional Japanese sweets that are served with green tea. These candies are beautifully crafted making them the pinnacle of art in the Japanese culinary culture, almost too pretty to eat.
There are many different types of Wagashi candies, however they are mainly made of rice flour and sweet bean paste. These candies are crafted to reflect the seasons due to which ingredients differ.
When it comes to food to buy in Japan, you know you cannot go wrong with wagashi candies.
5. Yukata
Yukata, more commonly known as Kimonos, are traditional Japanese garments that have become one of the most popular souvenirs that let you bring a piece of Japanese culture home.
They are designed with intricate traditional patterns and are one of the most trending products in Japan. A formal Kimono is made of silk whereas a casual garment is made of soft cotton making it comfortable and perfect for a hot day in Japan.
The price ranges from ¥3,000 to ¥10,000 and are easily available at any department store or souvenir shops.
6. Maneki Neko
You must have seen hundreds of waving cats in movies and TV shows taking place in Japanese restaurants or other settings. It has become one of the most popular symbols that represents Japan.
You can find these waving kitties almost everywhere in Japan. Maneki Neko are a sign of good luck and are known to bring good fortune to their owners. These cute cats are definitely worth bringing from Japan, you know for some good luck.
7. Stationery
Japan is heaven for stationery lovers! Japan is known for its unique and high quality stationery items that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the world. Some of the popular Japanese stationery brands include MUJI, KOKUYO, and Tombow.
You can go to dedicated stationery stores like Ginza Itoya in Tokyo, Itoya or Tokyu Hands. These are massive stores with multiple storeys dedicated just to stationery. You can literally find any stationery item here. These items range from your daily functional pens/books to high-end sleek products and even cute kawaii stickers. You can also find some of the best origami paper that is sold only in Japan.
Washi tapes are some of the most popular items amongst tourists that cost anywhere between ¥300 to ¥3,000.
8. Sensu Fans
Sensu fans are Japanese folding fans that were traditionally used by performing geishas in the 18th and 19th centuries. These were traditionally hand printed depicting the flora and fauna of Japan. These have now become famous decorative pieces for homes as well.
This accessory can be found almost in any store with prices ranging from ¥500 to ¥5,000. You can check out famous shopping streets like Motomachi Street in Yokohama or Harimayabashi Street in Kochi for options.
Sensu Fans are perfect if you are looking for cheap things to buy in Japan and are easily available at any 100-Yen shop.
9. Anime Merchandise
Wondering what to buy in Tokyo? The options are plenty. Let’s start with Anime.
Anime has taken over the world by storm, and Japan is right at the center of this. These anime figures and merchandise are huge in Japan. There are stores exclusively dedicated to these Japanese exclusive items.
Tokyo boasts some of the best stores in the world that sell anime, manga and action figure toys. You can visit stores like Akihabara in Tokyo and Den Den Town in Osaka to purchase vintage manga.
If you are looking to buy gifts from Tokyo for your Naruto-loving friends, then you might want to consider getting anime merchandise from Jump Shop- a popular chain in multiple cities that has a huge collection of anime figurines and merchandise.
These are some of the few things you can only buy in japan.
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10. Japanese Cosmetics
Japan’s cosmetics products are one of the best in the world. Japan is known for making high quality, innovative formulations of cosmetics made from all natural ingredients. They are also leading in the packaging industry.
They offer a wide range of products that blend traditional beauty secrets with new scientific formulations. Japanese face masks are also extremely famous.
Some of the popular Japanese cosmetic brands are:
- Shiseido: Popular for moisturizers and sunscreens
- Tatcha: Premium beauty products that follow the ritual of the Geisha
- KOSÉ: Very popular brand for cosmetics and personal care products
- DHC: A brand that embraces the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi that believes there is beauty in imperfection
11. Hanko Name Stamps
In Japan, people traditionally used to sign their names using stamps (hanko) and ink. Hanko has been around since 57 CE. These stamps are handmade and personalized for you, making it the perfect gift.
Local shops all across the country provide this. They translate your name into Kanji, the Japanese language, making them a piece of Japan you can carry with yourself forever
These stamps are not just limited to names. You can practically get anything you want etched on them.
12. Chopsticks
What better place than Japan to buy chopsticks? Chopsticks are easily available all across the country making them easy and useful souvenirs.
Beyond traditional chopsticks, you will also be able to find some with very cool and quirky designs. You can also find chopsticks unique to different parts of the country.
From hello kitty chopsticks to hand painted personalized ones, you will definitely find something that matches your vibe. Nihonbo Chopstick Store in Tokyo is a store dedicated to chopsticks where you will definitely find something that catches your eye.
These are great gifts from Tokyo that you can take back for your friends and family.
13. Mochi
Mochi is a very popular and loved Japanese treat made of sticky rice cakes. People in Japan enjoy these treats on special occasions like New years in various forms, from sweet to savory.
Mochi comes in all sorts of flavors like matcha, mango, sweet potato and even red bean mochi. They are small and light making them the perfect gift to take back home with you.
Mochi can remain fresh for anywhere between a few days to several months, depending on the type and how it was made. .
Mochi ice cream, a most sold item, has also become very popular, where the soft rice cakes are filled with delicious ice cream.
14. Tea Sets
If you are a tea lover and you are planning to travel to Japan, then you must add Japanese tea sets on your shopping list.
Tea is an art in Japan. There are traditional tea houses where one can go to enjoy the art of tea pouring from traditional tea sets. You can even purchase them from these tea houses.
Japanese craftsmanship is one of the finest in the world and these tea sets are a testament to that. You can purchase different types of tea sets made from porcelain or rustic clay from Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. They usually cost somewhere around ¥3,000 to ¥10,000.
They are handmade and glazed to perfection making them a good decorative piece as well.
15. Furoshiki
Furoshiki are traditional Japanese clothes that were used to carry and transport items like gifts or other clothing items. They have been around for centuries making it a beautiful souvenir for those who love history.
It is very stylish and can be used in several different ways making it very versatile. Typically a furoshiki ranges from ¥1,000 to ¥5,000 depending on the material and size of the cloth. These are versatile wrapping cloths that are an eco-friendly alternative to paper gift wraps.
It is perfect if you want to bring a little piece of Japanese culture back home with you.
16. Tenugui
Tenugui is a traditional cotton towel that is very popular in Japan. They date back to the Heian period where they were traditionally used for a very specific purpose: to wrap and carry bento boxes.
These are beautiful towels with vibrant colors and intricate designs. These are easily available at 100-yen shops making them perfect cheap things to buy in Japan.
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17. Gundam Figurines
Gundam Figurines, also known as Gunpla (Gundam plastic models), are some of the best-selling products in Japan. They are intricately engineered pieces from the Gundam universe, a celebrated Japanese franchise.
These figurines are highly detailed customizable model kits that offer unique building experiences. With these kits, you can create figurines by simply snapping together pieces, making them perfect for both beginners and experienced builders.
They are extremely rare and make for great collectible items that you can only find in Japan. Limited edition and vintage kits are also available in Japan. There are also some souvenir versions of these available that you can buy with 100 yen at a local store.
18. Capybara Cuddle Pillow
Capybaras are very popular in Japan. They are giant rodents with small ears and no tails and can be found across the country, chilling in the healing waters. They arrived in Japan 50 years ago and have become an instant favorite since then. So it’s only obvious that the Japanese made cuddle pillows that look like them.
You can find Capybara plush pillows in various different souvenir shops in zoos and public gardens.
19. Vintage Games
If you are an otaku, you know that the gaming community is huge in Japan. You can even find vending machines that dispense video games. There are huge shops dedicated to vintage and retro video games where you can purchase these games as well as play in-store.
You can get your hands on some really rare and vintage Nintendo GameBoys along with first editions of classics like Pokemon and MarioKart. These vintage Nintendo games are also cheaper in Japan than anywhere else in the world.
These are some of the coolest gadgets to buy in Japan that you can’t possibly find anywhere else in the world.
20. Personalized Cup Noodles
Of course, you can personalize your cup noodles in Japan. It will not make sense if you can’t, right? You can customize your cup noodles at the Shin-Yokohama Cup Noodles Museum. In this, you can not only select the flavor of your soup and toppings but also design the labels and box they come in.
You can even get your personalized cup noodles at the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Osaka making this one of the cool things you can only buy in Japan.
Japan: Truly One Of A Kind
So there you have it, a list of 20 products that only exist in japan.
These are some of the most unique products and concepts, like renting a family, that you can only get in Japan. The country is way ahead of its time when it comes to technological innovation and simple solutions to everyday products. From Japanese electronics to exclusive high end items, save this list for your next visit to Japan.
Have you bought something unique from Japan that’s not on this list? Share with us in the comments below.
