When traveling around Japan, it can be very difficult to decide on souvenirs and gifts. Simply because the choice of things that can only be bought in this country is incredibly huge. From ethnic style accessories to the latest and most advanced gadgets, there is something for everyone here. It is simply impossible to return home empty-handed from a trip here.
We offer you a list of the most popular Japanese souvenirs with a local flavor.
Electronics
Japan is rightly called the Mecca of electronics, and Akihabara is the best place for such purchases. This is an entire block in one of the districts of Tokyo, where there are a huge number of stores of electronic, computer and household appliances, as well as video games and anime goods.
Akihabara area in Tokyo
A rice cooker would be an interesting and useful gift. Such devices are very popular, often have electronic control and are programmed for the cooking mode that suits you. Most models have instructions in both Japanese and English.
Rice cooker - a useful gift from Japan
Japan is also famous for its brands Canon and Nikon, which produce high-quality cameras. Buying such equipment, of course, can hit your holiday budget, but for true connoisseurs and professionals there is no better gift.
Photography store in Akihabara
Places for customs clearance of goods from Japan
The point at which the actual customs clearance of goods takes place may or may not coincide with the location of the goods. In most cases, the place of customs clearance is determined by the method of delivery of cargo from Japan and is located in:
- Large ports: Vladivostok, Nakhodka, Novorossiysk, Big Port of St. Petersburg, Bronka, Ust-Luga, Kaliningrad.
- International airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO - Moscow), Domodedovo (DME - Moscow), Vnukovo (VKO - Moscow), Knevichi (VVO - Vladivostok), Pulkovo (LED - St. Petersburg), Koltsovo (SVX - Yekaterinburg), Tolmachevo (OVB – Novosibirsk), Khrabrovo (KGD – Kaliningrad).
- Ground checkpoints in case of multimodal transportation or delivery of consolidated cargo from Japan.
Electronic declaration centers provide the opportunity to submit a declaration of declaration to any regional EDC, regardless of the actual location of the cargo from Japan, which sometimes turns out to be even more convenient for the declarant than registration at the place of arrival.
We recommend that importers choose the most convenient customs clearance point for them, taking into account the delivery route, the availability of a deposit with specific customs authorities, the urgency of the cargo, the need to clear certain types of goods at specialized customs posts and other factors.
Kairo
Winter in Japan can be quite cold. It’s no wonder that the world’s largest festival of snow and ice sculptures takes place here. But inventive locals found a way to stay warm on frosty days: they came up with kairo. These are dry heating pads, which are small bags with powder inside. They are sold in individual packages and are disposable.
Kairo - a warm souvenir from Japan
They are very easy to use: you just need to take the Kairo out of the package, place it in your pocket or attach it to your clothes, and the powder will begin to act in just 10 minutes. The warming effect lasts from 8 to 15 hours. This souvenir will greatly delight your friends who do not like the winter season.
Cars and other property
In addition, for personal use during a long-term stay in Japan (more than one year), cars, boats and other vehicles, as well as furniture and other household goods are allowed to be imported duty-free, provided that documents confirming the ownership of these items are provided to the customs authorities more than one year before entering Japan. When exporting goods purchased domestically with exemption from consumption tax from Japan, the “Confirmation of Export of Goods” received by the buyer in the store when making the purchase must be submitted to customs. Customs officers may require you to show duty-free purchased goods.
Ceramics, glass and porcelain
Traditional Japanese crafts have a rich history, and the products of local factories and private craftsmen look incredibly elegant and will be a great gift for all connoisseurs of such things.
If you are in doubt about what to choose, buy a tureen. The Japanese love miso soup and eat it from special deep bowls. While here, you will probably try and love this dish, and then such a piece of tableware will be a logical souvenir to remember this eastern country. Pay attention to the black and red classic bowls for miso soup and special spoons for them. These soup bowls also come with lids and even smartphone stands.
Another great option: a teapot or a whole tea set. You definitely can't go wrong with a gift like this. The variety of sizes and shapes, as well as painting, is simply amazing. Take a closer look at the cute porcelain cups depicting scenes from Japanese village life.
For those tourists who are afraid to transport fragile items and check them in as luggage, many stores offer services for sending their goods by postal services to any part of the world.
Customs clearance of samples of goods from Japan for subsequent certification
Samples of goods from Japan are required for testing and confirming compliance with the requirements of the Technical Regulations of the EAEU or obtaining other types of necessary permits.
A mandatory condition for importing samples for certification is that they undergo customs clearance, which has its own characteristics. Turning to professionals can save you time on studying the topic and all the associated nuances.
We provide a range of services for working with product samples, including selection, delivery, customs clearance and laboratory testing of samples, as well as services for obtaining various permits necessary for the import and/or subsequent sale of products in the EAEU.
Souvenirs with cats
Cat and cat saucer
The Japanese have a great reverence for cats. Since ancient times, the inhabitants of this country believed in their connection with otherworldly forces and that these graceful creatures could protect them from dark magic. At the end of the 20th century, an official holiday was even introduced here - Cat Day, and on some islands the number of these animals exceeds the number of people living there.
Socks with cats
It is not surprising that souvenirs with the image or shape of a cat in Japan can be found almost everywhere and in a wide variety. These include mugs, bags, smartphone cases, jewelry, and even shoes. The list can be endless.
The most popular are maneki-neko. Be sure to take this figurine with you. This is a cat with a raised hand, usually made of porcelain.
According to legend, one day a traveler was looking for shelter from heavy rain and hid under a spreading tree. Suddenly, nearby, he saw a cat, which raised its left paw and beckoned him to come to her. As soon as the man approached the animal, lightning struck the tree under which he was hiding. Since then, amulets in the form of “alluring” or “calling cats” in Japan have been placed at the entrance to a house or shop.
Maneki-neko at the entrance to the house
It is believed that white maneki-neko bring good luck and prosperity to their owners, while black ones scare away evil spirits and protect against diseases. But the happiest are golden cats.
We're going to Japan
There are no restrictions on the import or export of “means of payment” in Japan. This term refers to Japanese and foreign cash, checks (including traveler's checks), debt and securities. However, if the amount of means of payment on your person exceeds 1 million yen or its equivalent in foreign currency, customs must be notified. The same applies to gold (more than 90% pure) if its weight exceeds 1 kg.
The traveler has the right to exemption from customs duties when importing his personal belongings and household items, including unaccompanied luggage, in certain quantities. The very first restriction mentioned on the Japanese customs website: www.customs.go.jp concerns rice. During the year, you can import no more than 100 kg of rice into Japan. It is unlikely that this rule in any way applies to Russian tourists or business travelers, but it is still worth knowing about it.
Clothing, shoes, toiletries, and portable professional equipment that will be used during your stay in Japan can be imported freely and duty-free if the quantity of these items does not allow the customs officer to assume the possibility of their sale.
An adult tourist can bring with him 3 bottles of alcohol (any) with a capacity of 0.75 liters. You can also have 100 cigars, 400 cigarettes (2 blocks),
500 g of other types of tobacco products. However, if you are bringing with you several types of tobacco products, then their total weight should not exceed 500 g. In addition, duty-free import of items is allowed, the cost of which in the countries from which they are imported does not exceed the equivalent of 200 thousand yen. At the same time, any item that costs less than 10 thousand yen abroad can be imported duty-free, and its cost is deducted from the total calculation of imported goods. Commercial items are not exempt from taxes and duties because they are not considered everyday items.
If the import standards are exceeded, the guest of this country will have to pay customs duty. Thus, alcoholic drinks obtained by distillation are subject to a duty of 225 yen per bottle (0.75 l), wine - 150 yen per bottle (0.75), other alcoholic drinks - 15% of the cost. For some alcoholic drinks there is a special increased tariff. Thus, excess whiskey and brandy (all based on a container of 0.75 liters) are subject to a duty of 375 yen; rum, gin, vodka and the like - 300 yen; liquor 225 yen, beer 150 yen. For each extra cigarette you will also have to pay - 6.5 yen.
When arriving in Japan, you must declare your belongings. This can be done either orally or in writing. In Japan, as in other countries, there is a system of “green” and “red” corridors. By going to the “green corridor”, you thereby declare the absence of prohibited, restricted import or subject to duties.
A written declaration must be filled out in duplicate in cases where luggage is traveling separately from you (this does not mean a suitcase in the luggage compartment of the plane, but the following one completely separately, by another means of transport) or if you have firearms, swords with you (here it is, Japanese exotica !), prohibited, import restricted or subject to taxation goods.
Japanese law prohibits the import of the following items into the country: opium, other narcotic substances, equipment for smoking opium, stimulants inhaled (including Vicks and Sudafed inhalers), psychotropic substances; firearms, ammunition and parts of such weapons; books, paintings, drawings of obscene content; items that violate intellectual property rights in terms of patent protection of copyright and related rights: models, industrial designs, trademarks, drawings, and so on; counterfeiting or imitation of coins, bills, banknotes, securities.
Some goods are restricted for import, that is, they can be imported, but only if a number of conditions are met and the appropriate permits and licenses are provided. In particular, animals and plants imported to the islands must be inspected by a quarantine officer, and before they are handled by a customs officer. There are also restrictions on the import of medicines and cosmetics. Thus, pharmaceutical products are allowed to be imported in quantities sufficient for use for two months. There should be enough cosmetics to use it 24 times (that’s what the rules say!). You cannot import hunting rifles, pump-action shotguns, swords, etc. without permission. When exporting weapons, swords, as well as some high-quality personal computers from the country, a license from the Ministry of Economics may be required.
In Japan, there are duty-free shops where you can buy goods cheaper, without paying VAT, but only on the condition that these goods will be taken out of the country. In such a store, the buyer will be required to have a passport, to which they will attach a receipt indicating that the purchase was made. This receipt, along with the goods, must be presented to the customs officer when leaving the country.
Studio Ghibli toys
Japanese cartoons have long been watched outside the country, and Studio Ghibli is one of the leaders in the industry. All fans of such animated films as “My Neighbor Totoro”, “Spirited Away” and “Memories of Marnie” are advised to visit the Studio Ghibli merchandise stores. There is a huge selection of soft toys, figurines, stickers, mugs and keychains with cartoon characters.
Toy characters from the cartoon “My Neighbor Totoro”
Furin
Furin is a symbol of summer in Japan. This is a small bell with a piece of paper attached to the tongue. Depending on the prefecture, bells are made from different materials (bronze, iron, glass) and a wide variety of shapes (round, triangular, in the form of birds and animals). Poetic lines are usually placed on paper, and the furin itself is brightly painted with flowers and greenery.
Initially, the inhabitants of the Japanese islands were notified by ringing bells about epidemics that often occurred in these places during the hot and humid summer months. Today, the Japanese hang bells on windows or at the entrance to their houses in the summer to feel cool during the hot season and enjoy the soothing sounds that furins make in the wind.
Glass furin
This souvenir is sold in shops of local manufacturers, and in some of them you can watch the process of making a bell and even try to create it yourself.
Japanese bells in the shape of fish
Masks
On the streets of Japan you can often see people wearing medical masks. Some wear them to protect themselves from viral diseases, others as a fashion statement, and others as a way to maintain their privacy. In fact, masks have been present in local culture since time immemorial and were originally used during religious rituals. It was believed that they were able to scare away evil spirits, attract good luck and even influence the future harvest.
Today, masks can be seen in traditional Japanese theater but also at various Matsuri festivals. They are often used as decoration, so such items will become an original souvenir for those who love originality in the interior.
The variety of masks that you can buy in Japan is huge. Therefore, it is better to find out in advance what types of them exist:
- Mengu or samurai masks were originally created to protect wearers from enemy arrows and at the same time to intimidate the enemy. They are made of iron and patent leather and either cover the whole or part of the face.
- Noh masks or masks of Japanese theater actors. There are about 200 types of them, and among them there are both human faces and images of animals, demons and various supernatural creatures.
- Festival masks are used during holidays. “They” – frightening demon masks are worn on Setsubun, the spring festival of driving away evil spirits and attracting good luck. “Kitsune” is a fox mask worn in the fall on the day of honoring the god of fertility Inari. “Hyottoko” is a wooden mask of the god of fire, in the form of the mischievous face of a man fanning the flames, and “okame” is its female version. Often the Japanese keep hyottoko and okame masks at home as amulets for the family hearth.
Items prohibited for import/export
It is prohibited to import into Japan: - chemicals and biological materials that can be used to produce weapons of mass destruction; — drugs of all types and psychotropic substances, as well as means for their production and use; — counterfeit securities and banknotes; - books, magazines, drawings and engravings with immoral content, child pornography; — printed publications that undermine public order (calling for violence, mass protests and the overthrow of government, etc.); — items that damage intellectual property (trademark, copyright and patent rights) and counterfeit products.
According to the rules in force in Japan, the import of the following seeds and plants into the country is prohibited: - tubers of certain types of potatoes; — rice seedlings, rice straw, including products made from rice straw (mats, bags, rugs, etc.); - fruits of some fruits (apricot, sweet cherry, cherry, plum, peach, pear, quince, walnut); - straw and leaves of plants Hordeum, Triticum and Secale (including straw in the form of packaging materials and similar products made from it), as well as straw and leaves of plants of the genus wheatgrass.
The import of fresh animal meat and semi-finished products from it, as well as perishable types of meat products that do not have international standard certificates (Animal Health Certificate) into Japan from America and Europe is completely prohibited. More detailed information on this matter can be found in English on the Animal Quarantine Service website.
Accessories and decorations
No matter where you go in Japan, there are shops selling cute, inexpensive jewelry at literally every turn. You can choose jewelry or hair accessories, but the most unusual and attractive souvenir will be a fan.
In Japan you can find two types of fans: sensu and uchiwa.
Fans sensu
Sensu is an ordinary folding fan, which was invented by the Chinese and became widespread in many countries around the world. It is more familiar to us.
Uchiwa fans
Uchiwa is a national Japanese invention and is a round silk fan on a wooden handle. Previously, fans were used exclusively by noble ladies, because... they provided excellent protection from the sun, and also hid their faces from strangers and evil spirits. Today it is mainly an accessory for geishas and Japanese theater actors. A huge variety of colors and patterns combined with excellent quality materials make these items a wonderful gift that is well worth the $10+ price tag.
Cosmetics
Skin care and decorative cosmetics from Japanese manufacturers are known and loved all over the world. According to buyers, it is of very high quality and varied. Local cosmetic products often include extracts of mint, jasmine, green tea, rice, beans, as well as water from thermal springs and horse oil.
Shop items for 100 yen
Cosmetics in Japan can be purchased either in pharmacies or in specialized departments in shopping centers. The most popular brands for face and body care are Shiseido, Rosette, Mujirushi and Kotoshina. Among decorative cosmetics, it is worth noting products from the brands Coffret D'or, KATE, MAQuillAGe and Canmake. The CanDo and Daiso store chains attract with their quality and affordable prices. Any product can be purchased there for a fixed price of 100 yen ($0.9).
Daiso cosmetics store
Incense
The incense brought from your trip will help you relax and mentally return to the mysterious and original Japan. These include incense sticks, essential oils, and sachets with dry herbs. They are sold in specialized shops that you simply cannot pass by indifferent - such aromas emanate from them! Depending on the manufacturer and type of product, the cost of incense ranges from a couple of dollars to hundreds.
To the table
Few will remain indifferent to such elegant souvenirs with a Japanese flavor, such as tea ceremony equipment or sushi sets. The first include: a miniature teapot, a small tea table, cups. The latter include bowls, chopsticks and other special items.
Japanese sake vodka is most often sold not in ordinary stores, but in souvenir shops, because this is also one of the gifts in the Japanese style. Elite types of sake have the flavor of wild mushrooms, soy sauce and mature cheese. Many drinks are also rich in fruit flavors and aroma, which are combined with a slight bitterness.
A set of tea ceremony equipment goes best with a real Japanese drink.
Stationery
Japanese stationery is rightfully considered very practical, stylish and affordable. Pens and pencils, scissors and erasers, notebooks and diaries, stickers and many other products of high quality and original design will not leave either adults or children indifferent. A desire to visit LOFT, Don Quijote, Itoya and Tokyu Hands stores for a few minutes can turn into a multi-hour excursion among the abundance of stationery presented here.
Alcohol
For many people, Japan is associated with sake. This is a traditional local alcoholic drink made from rice. To say that this is rice vodka is not entirely true, because... The strength of sake is much lower - 14-16 degrees, and the process of its preparation is significantly different from how vodka is made. Depending on the quality of the rice, sake can be either elite or lower grades. Accordingly, the drink is served and consumed differently. If the sake is premium, it is drunk chilled. If the quality of the alcohol is lower, then it is heated to dull the bitterness of the drink.
sake
Traditionally, sake is served in a special jug called tokkuri and poured into small cups without handles called ochoko. These accessories can also be purchased as a souvenir along with the drink itself.
Sake set
In addition to sake, Japan produces some of the best whiskey in the world and the most delicious plum wine in the world.
Japanese whiskey
Suntory and Nikka hold the majority of the whiskey market in the Land of the Rising Sun, while the most popular brands of plum wine include Choya, Godo Shusei and Kishu. Usually, the fruits of this tree are placed in a bottle of classic plum wine, but producers constantly compete with each other, adding honey or green tea to the drink, and whole compositions of plants and flowers into the bottles.
Japanese plum wine
Matcha tea
Green tea is incredibly popular in Japan, and varieties produced here are highly prized throughout the world. This drink improves your mood, relieves stress and contains a large amount of antioxidants.
Japanese matcha tea powder comes in three types:
- Ceremonial, or superior quality, which is used in tea ceremonies and is practically not sold outside the country;
- Premium class, suitable for daily use;
- Low quality, which is cheaper than other types of tea and is used mainly as an additive to food: chocolate, ice cream, sweets and baked goods.
Higher quality green tea has a bright color, mild taste and a distinct herbal aroma. When choosing matcha, you need to make sure that it was grown in Japan, because... Only the local climatic conditions allow us to produce such a wonderful product. Secondly, you should pay attention to the color of the powder: the richer it is, the higher the quality of the tea.
Preparing matcha
During the tea ceremony, matcha powder is thoroughly mixed with water using a bamboo whisk in a bowl until foam forms, and then drunk in 3-4 large sips. At home, a shaker is often used to prepare it. But you can buy a special set that includes a bowl, measuring spoon, whisk and stand, as well as a small bag of matcha powder. By brewing a drink brought from distant Japan at home according to all the rules for its preparation, you can again plunge into the memories of your trip, enjoying the excellent taste and aroma.
Matcha making kit
We offer Bulletin readers an article about licensing in Japan. This is a look at the cultural, political and economic factors shaping consumer behavior and the growth of the Land of the Rising Sun's licensing market.
Japan is a small but economically powerful country. It is the third largest economy in the world, with a nominal GDP of $4.94 trillion, according to the World Bank. USA.
The Land of the Rising Sun is a center of innovation and scientific achievements. It is home to automakers such as Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Lexus, as well as conglomerates Sony and Hitachi, electronics manufacturers Nintendo, Canon and Panasonic.
Market Review
Japan is home to more than 127 million people, however, like many developed countries, it has the problem of an aging population. In 2016, more than 27.5% of the population was aged 65 years and older. As a result, the number of employed people, that is, people who have a regular income and high purchasing power, is decreasing.
Japan's economy has been in decline for several decades. In 2013, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe began pursuing a policy to revitalize the Japanese economy, which was called “Abenomics.” Its essence lies in a combination of several measures: stimulating monetary policy to combat deflation, as well as increasing government spending to strengthen consumer demand, combined with structural reforms to attract private investment.
Shinzo Abe
Since the introduction of Abenomics, the country's GDP has been growing steadily for the 7th year in a row. In 3 quarter In 2021, GDP growth was 2.5%. In October 2021, Shinzo Abe was re-elected to a 3rd term. The country's political landscape remains stable, which has a positive impact on the market.
The Japanese consumer has always had a reputation for being willing to pay more for a high-quality product, preferring to play it safe and buy from brands they trust. For this reason, in the past, the Japanese mainly preferred domestic brands.
However, the situation is gradually changing. Despite the fact that Japanese consumers are accustomed to high standards of service, they are increasingly purchasing goods from discount stores. Local casual wear brands such as Uniqlo have achieved customer loyalty and ensured switching from higher-end brands to mid-priced items.
Licensing industry in Japan
According to LIMA's Annual Global Licensing Industry Survey for 2021, Japan ranks third among the world's markets in terms of sales of licensed products. In 2021, this figure reached $12.5 billion. USA (in 2015 this figure was $11.9 billion). Japan accounts for 4.8% of global licensing sales, with royalties amounting to $656 million, i.e. 4.7% of global volumes.
Licensing is developing in various product categories, with toys leading the way in 2021 ($2.9 billion). Clothing takes second place (2.1 billion), followed by fashion accessories (1.2 billion), mobile games and applications (1.2 billion). Note that the latter figure is only higher in the United States, which confirms the importance of the video game sector in Japan.
¾ of revenue comes from character licensing. Over two years, this sector has grown significantly: from 7.7 to 9.3 billion dollars. This is followed by licensing of corporate brands (1.3 billion) and fashion (1 billion), according to 2021 data.
“What is unique about the Japanese licensing market is the huge share that characters occupy,” confirms Nobuaki Nito, CEO of Licensing Expo Japan. “There are 2 types of characters – media characters, such as Pokemon, Dragon Ball characters, and non-media characters, such as Hello Kitty or San-X.”
Local franchises still hold the lead, but international licenses, for example, Disney characters, The Hungry Caterpillar, Paddington Bear and others are also popular in Japan.
Moreover, Tokyo Disneyland was the first branded amusement park built outside the United States. In 2001, the country opened a second Disneyland, and by 2025 it is planned to open a third amusement park, which will be designed taking into account Japanese cultural traditions.
Japanese characters are also popular all over the world. A number of Japanese companies were included in the annual rating of the License Global publication - Top 150 licensors, for example, Sanrio - took 12th place (copyright holder of the hello Kitty brand), Pokemon Company - 19th.
Character licensing is represented in almost all product categories, but toys occupy the first place: they account for 29.2% of revenue. Clothing and software are also very important categories (13.9% and 11.1% respectively). However, according to LIMA, Japan accounts for only 7.8% of global character licensing revenue.
Unique market
An interesting feature of the Japanese licensing market is the fact that character licensing here is not only aimed at children's audiences. A large number of heroes also find fans among adult consumers, especially women.
Thanks to this, copyright holders have more opportunities to develop their brands to a wider audience, for example, offering household products for adults and toys for children. Even within the same product category there can be variations, for example, soft toys for children and expensive collectible figurines for adults.
The fact is that adult buyers are very loyal to the characters they grew up with. They tend to look for products with these characters and at the same time instill a love for their favorite characters in their children. It turns out that a new generation of brand fans is growing up, and this cycle is not interrupted.
Another important trend in the Japanese market is the Japanese need for hype: they want to constantly look for something new that others don’t have. In order to surprise the buyer, it is necessary to constantly “stimulate” him by releasing limited editions.
An interesting feature is the small toys in plastic capsules called gashapon, which are sold in vending machines. Usually they are dedicated to a specific franchise, and the assortment includes toys of different designs. Buyers often purchase several of these toys to complete the entire collection. Gashapon have also become popular in the US and UK.
E-commerce in Japan
In 2021, the share of online commerce was 19%, which is 7% more than in 2015.
According to the largest research agency Statista, the volume of online trading in Japan amounted to 89.55 billion dollars in 2016, so the country ranks 4th in terms of this indicator in the world. More than 92% of the population has access to the Internet, but only 69% of them made online purchases in 2021. Therefore, the e-commerce sector has great potential.
However, the importance of traditional stores (“Depato”) for the Japanese is difficult to overestimate. The largest retail chains in Japan include Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, Daimaru and Isetan. At the same time, small shops offering licensed goods also play a big role.
The shop-in-shop format is also popular in Japan, allowing it to reduce some of the risks associated with traditional trade, and especially high rents.
Important Growth Factors
The Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo in 2021. The largest international event will open up new licensing opportunities, especially in the field of sports. In addition, hosting the Olympic Games could boost the overall sales of Japanese brands by attracting the attention of a large number of viewers.
The tourism sector is already booming, with a record 28.69 million tourists visiting the country in 2021, with the government planning to increase this figure through international advertising campaigns. There are plans to reach 40 million tourists by 2020, which will cause a great increase in interest in Japanese culture. This is also great news for Japanese rights holders.
Based on materials from Licensemag.com
Prepared by Valeria Arzumanova
Edible gifts
Of course, you are unlikely to be able to bring sushi and rolls from Japan, but there are several options for excellent edible souvenirs that you should pay attention to.
- Salty sakura. No kidding! In this country, people not only admire cherry blossoms, but also eat its fruits, leaves and flowers. The latter are salted and pickled in plum vinegar, resulting in pale pink inflorescences with a pronounced taste. Of course, such an unusual delicacy is not included in the daily diet of the Japanese, but is present only at significant events. For example, it is an indispensable attribute of wedding celebrations.
Packaging of salted sakura
Salted sakura flowers can be eaten as a treat on their own or used to decorate various dishes, such as baked goods or rice. Sometimes sakura needs to be pre-soaked in water, but to prepare original tea, simply dip 1-2 flowers into a cup of drink.
Dessert with salty sakura
- Umeboshi or salted plum has long been present in traditional Japanese menus along with rice and miso soup.
Umeboshi
Samurai also believed that umeboshi helped them fight fatigue on the battlefield and charged them with energy for future victories. This product contains a huge amount of nutrients, it helps control weight and is involved in the prevention of various diseases. However, due to its salty taste, umeboshi is not eaten daily, and is usually paired with rice without any other additives.
Rice with umeboshi
- Chocolate and candies with green tea. The Japanese are famous for their originality in preparing sweets. If you are partial to confectionery, you can try the matcha-infused sweets and baked goods here.
Matcha cookies
Pay attention to the brands Meiji, Morinaga and Lotte. They create truly amazingly delicious chocolate, caramel and green tea cookies. In Japan, you can even find matcha-flavored KitKat bars and Chocopie cakes.
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 gadgets equipped with the latest technology, you can also find a gift for your child in the souvenir shop.
The making of kites and traditional dolls is elevated to the level of art here. 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:
Food sticks
This is one of the most popular souvenirs brought from Japan. Chopsticks, or hashi, as they are called here, are a common cutlery set for residents of several Asian countries, as well as for those who love local cuisine. Prices for Khasi start from $1 and largely depend on the material. The most common ones are bamboo, porcelain, metal and plastic. If desired, you can custom engrave the name of their future owner on the sticks. This way the gift will become not only exotic, but also personalized.
Sanitary control
When applying for entry into Japan from Russia, the Japanese authorities do not require the presentation of any special medical documents confirming the state of health, as well as the presence of certain vaccinations (for example, certificates of absence of HIV infection and other dangerous diseases). The main quarantine measures regarding the health of passengers are applied by checkpoint services even before crossing the Japanese border at so-called “cordons sanitaires”, equipped with technical means of monitoring the condition of arriving citizens, including by contactless measurement of body temperature with thermal imagers. Tightening sanitary control may occur in rare cases when there is a threat of the spread of epidemics, and then the Japanese authorities may impose restrictions on accepting passengers from certain countries, as well as introduce express interviews of arriving passengers in order to identify potential carriers of dangerous diseases.
Kimono
If your budget allows, then a traditional Japanese kimono will be the most luxurious gift brought in memory of your trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. Kimonos are quite expensive, but they are true works of art. Depending on the material, color and type of dress, you can pay for it from $500 to $25,000. And it will either be a branded item, or an author’s, one-piece copy in a special salon selling kimonos. These items of clothing can be bought cheaper in second-hand stores for only $150-300, but in this case you should not be too picky about the quality of the product.
Kimono is not just a dress. To be worn correctly, it requires appropriate accessories, which can also be purchased with it. These include a variety of undershirts, belts, sandals, combs and hairpins.
Men can also try on men's kimonos, which are not as bright as women's ones. Most often, matte fabrics in black, blue or green are used for their manufacture.
Jaga Pokkuru
This snack is also from Japan's northern Hokkaido region, but is available for purchase throughout Japan. Jaga Pokkuru is sort of a cross between french fries and potato chips, with a crunchy, snack-like texture. Jaga Pokkuru has been one of the best-selling items in duty-free stores for a very long time due to its crispy taste, originality and of course the delicious variety of flavours.
If you've never had this snack before, you might be surprised at how finely cut fries can be so crispy while still retaining their flavor. The fact is that each Jaga Pokkuru is made from 100% potatoes harvested in Hokkaido and flavored with roasted salt. In addition, only high-quality potatoes are chosen for this popular snack. To improve the taste of potatoes, do not remove the skins from them when they go into the oven.
An interesting fact is that Jaga Pokkuru was named after Koropokkuru, a dwarf from Ainu folklore. Koropokkuru was known as a shy dwarf who always hides from prying eyes, but at the same time he is kind enough to share his food with others, placing it near the Ainu houses at night.
At the beginning of 2021, Japan had some problems with a potato shortage, but instead of buying and stocking up on regular potatoes, people were sweeping Jaga Pokkuru off the shelves in a state of panic. It certainly shows how popular the delicious treat is and how many people were in shock to hear about its shortage.
Jaga Pokkuru is available in two sizes: 6 pieces per pack and 10 pieces per pack. A pack of 10 costs 1000 yen. To avoid shortages, some duty-free shops at airports limit the quantity you can buy per person to two packs. If you're traveling in a group, just buy a few boxes.
As an expert in potato products, Potato Farm (manufacturer of Jaga Pokkuru) also offers other potato products such as potato cubes (Jaga Pirika), potato chips (Imoko and Kobutaro) and even powdered potato soup! They are all available at airports and the prices are the same. If Jaga Pokkuru is not available, try Jaga Pirika! The snack differs from Jaga Pokkuro in that it is made from three different types of potatoes with different colors (yellow, red and purple). They don't taste much different, and the colors are 100% natural!
Gamaguchi
Gamaguchi are rag handbags and wallets with a frame lock. Their colors are quite bright and most often floral. These pieces have a bit of a vintage feel to them because similar clasps were found on vintage coin purses. But, despite the seeming old-fashionedness, gamaguchi are very popular among young Japanese women.
Furoshiki
Since ancient times, residents of Japan have used furoshiki to wrap gifts and various things, as well as as a rag bag when traveling and walking. They are square pieces of fabric in eye-catching colors and various sizes and are usually made from silk, cotton and viscose. Factory-made furoshiki cost around $50-100, and custom-made furoshiki cost $200-300.
Recently, the Japanese company Vibram began producing furoshiki sneakers that wrap around the foot and do not require laces. In some ways they resemble foot wraps.
The soft, pleasant-to-touch fabric and ease of wear have made these unusual shoes popular, especially among outdoor enthusiasts.
This, of course, is not a complete list of souvenirs that can be purchased as a souvenir of your trip to Japan. We advise you to take a minimum of luggage on your trip in order to be able to take with you all the gifts that you choose in this country.
