What to bring from Japan

The Land of the Rising Sun appears exotic and incomprehensible to travelers accustomed to Western standards of living. Literally everything here surprises - from the intricate language to the breathtaking landscapes, and all kinds of souvenirs are eye-popping. For those who are planning a trip to the mysterious Pacific island and are wondering what to bring from Japan as a gift, we have prepared a list of the most popular and unusual memorable gifts that reflect the uniqueness of this extraordinary region.

Maneki-neko

Walking along the streets of Japanese cities, you will probably notice Maneki-neko - good luck talismans, whose name is translated from Japanese as “beckoning cat”, displayed in the windows of shops and restaurants. Every detail of the funny figurine carries a meaning. Thus, a raised right paw promises success in business, while the left paw attracts interesting and profitable acquaintances. Seals with two limbs stretching upward are purchased to protect the hearth.

The color of the talisman also plays an important role:

gold represents prosperity and wealth
white means purity of thoughts and a positive attitude towards life
black protects from evil spirits
green brings health and helps in mastering new knowledge
blue helps to find spiritual harmony
red and pink promote success in love and friendship

Maneki-neko are sold everywhere, filling the shelves of all souvenir shops. The most sacred place for shopping is the Gotoku-ji Temple in Tokyo, where the cult of alluring cats began in the 17th century.

Order a private transfer from the airport to your hotel for RUB 17,638

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.

Traditional clothes and shoes

The history of the national costume - kimono - goes back more than 1,500 years. Over the years, its appearance has not changed: as before, this item of clothing consists of four cloths (“tan”), which are belted with a wide sash (“obi”). The original outfit is sewn from expensive fabrics and hand-painted. The price of such masterpieces amounts to tens of thousands of yen.

You should not choose a classic kimono as a souvenir, because even Japanese women have difficulty putting it on. It would be better to buy a casual summer version of the yukata. It is sewn from inexpensive materials: linen, cotton or satin. Such a purchase is unlikely to empty your wallet. And finding a yukata will not be a problem: the popular attire is sold in all shopping centers and department stores.

It is absurd to wear traditional clothes with usual shoes, so it would be useful to purchase national shoes. But leave the original geta aside: you need to learn to wear bulky wooden sandals from early childhood. It would be much wiser to buy comfortable zori - a Japanese variation of flip-flops.

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.

Vagasa

A traditional wagasa umbrella will help complete the exotic ensemble of yukata and zori. The birthplace of any self-respecting geisha's accessory is China. This exquisite item came to the Land of the Rising Sun in the 6th century. Initially, elegant folding umbrellas were the privilege of the elite, and only two centuries later they became widespread among the people.

The technique for creating vagas is not complicated, but it is labor-intensive. The bamboo parts are joined together with horsehair. A dome made of the thinnest paper is attached to the resulting frame, which is then painted and impregnated with oil. Wooden elements are varnished. As a result of these manipulations, a light and elegant, but at the same time durable and waterproof umbrella is born.

Today, only a few craftsmen in the country have the skills to make traditional bamboo frames. Therefore, if you decide to buy real wagasa, go to the city of Gifu, which is located 390 km from Tokyo. Since the mid-18th century, local craftsmen have been handcrafting exquisite products that are considered the standard of national umbrellas in Japan.

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.

Sake

It would be a mistake to call the classic Japanese drink rice vodka or wine. The favorite alcohol of the samurai is an original product, the analogues of which cannot be found in any country in the world. Even the production of sake is unique: only premium varieties of rice are used for its production, which have undergone the mandatory grinding and steaming procedure.

Sake is an insidious drink. This rice elixir with a strength of 16% is surprisingly easy to drink: you can “persuad” more than one serving without noticing. However, the consequences in the form of wobbly legs and headaches will not take long to arrive. To prevent such an incident from happening to you, follow the unspoken rules for drinking the national potion: pour the drink into tiny bowls (2-3 sips), savor it slowly and do not neglect the appetizer.

When choosing alcohol, focus on its cost: the price of a good product starts at 2,000 yen. The hieroglyphs 清酒 on the label, meaning “natural sake,” will also tell you about the quality of the 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.

Green tea

Japan is the birthplace of matcha, a bright emerald-colored drink made from powdered green tea leaves. The best raw materials for preparing matcha are grown in the vicinity of the city of Uji, where each store offers three varieties:

Culinary, with an intense tart taste. Used for making baked goods, desserts and smoothies.
Premium, distinguished by a slight bitterness. In Asia, tea from this variety is drunk pure, and in Europe it is sometimes diluted with a small amount of milk.
Ceremonial, made from young spring leaves of the tea bush. This is the most expensive type, used for classical tea ceremonies and Buddhist rituals.

Regardless of the variety, matcha has a high concentration of caffeine, antioxidants (polyphenols) and the amino acid L-theanine, which is responsible for the production of the “happiness hormone” dopamine. According to research, drinking a traditional drink will not only improve immunity, speed up metabolism, remove toxins and strengthen the circulatory system, but also help in the fight against stress, and also invigorate better than coffee!

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

Sweets

Local delicacies are an ideal gift for those with a sweet tooth. Many of you are probably familiar with KitKat candies, but in the Land of the Rising Sun alone you can find about 250 types of these popular filled candy bars. Tasting them is like eating Bertie Botts beans: Nestlé's Japanese factories produce candies with unimaginable flavors of green tea, sakura, fried potatoes, pepper, wasabi, pickled plums or soy sauce.

Wagashi also belongs to the category of exotic desserts. To create this classic of the country's confectionery art, which differs from European candies in its less sweet taste, natural ingredients are used: chestnuts, agar-agar, herbs, rice, tea, sweet potatoes and legumes.

Lovers of sweet pastries should take a closer look at dorayaki or taiyaki pancakes - fish-shaped cookies filled with custard or chocolate. And fans of healthy eating will be attracted by amanatto - candies that are nuts dressed in a “coat” of bean paste.

Bell Furin

Total industrialization and advanced technologies coexist perfectly with deep reverence for the beliefs and traditions of our ancestors. Here, special significance is attached to talismans called omamori. One of these amulets is the Furin bell, whose melodious ringing is designed to protect houses and their inhabitants from negative energy and evil spirits.

Traditionally, furins are made from glass, ceramics, metal and bamboo. A rectangular piece of paper is attached to the tongue, on which wishes or haiku tercets are written. To prevent adversity from happening at home, the Japanese decorate the windows and cornices of their homes with bells. In the summer heat, gentle chimes, associated with a fresh wind and a babbling brook, create an aura of coolness and comfort.

Every year, in the second half of July, the surroundings of the Kawasaki Daishi Shrine (8 km from Tokyo) are filled with the sound of more than 600 bells of various shapes and sizes. Melodious polyphony marks the opening of the popular Furin festival, attracting thousands of tourists and locals.

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”

Fan

A fan decorated with an intricate pattern would be a good gift for the fair sex. This constant companion of geishas and Kabuki theater actors appeared in the country in the 12th century. The first fans (utiva) were a non-folding structure made of a skillfully turned piece of wood covered with silk.

Fans are not just a lady's privilege. The ogi, a folding fan with a small number of ribs, was considered an exclusively male attribute, used in court ceremonies and indicating the rank of its owner. The combat gunsen, made of wood and metal, stands apart. Such a fan was a full-fledged weapon, with the help of which warriors attacked, defended and distracted the enemy’s attention.

Traditional fans are made by hand using bamboo and special multi-layer paper. And today, for the Japanese, fans are more than just an escape from the heat and an element of national costume. These accessories are used to decorate walls in houses, they are collected, given to loved ones and used in marriage ceremonies.

Masks

One of the greatest traditions of world theater is the Japanese Noh theater. Wooden stages that amaze with the deep meaning of the performances, minimalist music and grandiose costumes - all this has reached contemporaries almost unchanged since the 14th century - the era when the Zeami father and son created a new art direction. Masks, a mandatory attribute of actors’ equipment, have not changed either.

The actors of the No theater do not resort to facial expressions and makeup. To express feelings and emotions, they wear masks made from cypress. Each theater carefully preserves a collection of 150–200 masks. They are divided into male (otoko-men), female (onna-men), and also differ in appearance, character and age.

Today, “No” masks have become widespread as popular wall decorations. In souvenir shops you can purchase full-size wooden copies or smaller copies made of ceramics, inserted into exquisite frames.

Food sticks

If you don't have much room left in your luggage for gifts, buy hashi - Japanese chopsticks, which differ from Chinese chopsticks in their shorter length and rounded shape. In the Land of the Rising Sun you will find many stores specializing only in the sale of this accessory. The range is huge: from the simplest disposable ones to patterned and varnished wooden masterpieces.

The Japanese use traditional cutlery for more than just tasting rice or noodles. Chopsticks are used to wrap sushi, pick out bones, cut fish, and stir soups and sauces. Khasis are an extremely personal item; sharing them even with close people is considered a bad omen.

Chopsticks are a multifunctional souvenir. They are given not only to fans of Asian cuisine. According to legend, Khashis promise longevity and good luck to their owner. Sticks painted with oriental patterns can also be presented to newlyweds with the wish to be inseparable like a hashi couple.

Bento lunch boxes

The term "bento" refers to food packaged in a beautiful container. In your local stores you will find hundreds of variations of this useful accessory. There is a wide choice: from simple plastic boxes to airtight lunchboxes equipped with a cooling element or oval wappa bento with antibacterial properties.

The bento culture in the country is extremely developed. There are special books dedicated to the art of harmoniously composing a “take-out lunch”. Culinary magazines never tire of publishing tips on how to properly combine foods to prepare a balanced and healthy lunch. Here are just a few of them:

Avoid processed foods
Each serving should include carbohydrates (rice, noodles), protein (meat, fish) and vegetables
Food must be cut into pieces and heated evenly

Those who do not want to prepare bento themselves buy lunch boxes in supermarkets. The average price is about 542 yen ($5).

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.

Kokeshi

The attitude towards dolls is special. From time immemorial, local residents believed that each of the figurines had unique properties. They were considered the guardians of the hearth, valued and passed on by inheritance. One of these amulet dolls is kokeshi - a figurine devoid of arms and legs with a cylindrical body and a large head.

The history of kokeshi began in 1603 on the island of Honshu. Kijiya carpenters from the Tohoku region, who made their living by making tableware, invented a new source of income. They began carving cute figures out of wood, hand painting them, and then selling them as talismans to wealthy gentlemen relaxing at nearby hot springs.

Today, dolls are turned on a lathe. The figurines cannot boast of a wealth of colors and patterns: the decorative elements are extremely modest, and the palette of shades is limited to red, yellow, black and green. However, this does not prevent kokeshi from being a desired gift. Dolls are given as a sign of love, sympathy and sincere friendship. It is believed that such a gift brings prosperity, good luck in business and harmony in the soul.

Porcelain

Interest in porcelain products arose in the country in the 14th century thanks to trade with China. At that time, exquisite fragile things were the privilege of the powerful: the emperor and his entourage. The country's own porcelain industry began to develop two centuries later, after the discovery of kaolin deposits on the island of Kyushu.

The art of creating porcelain has been brought to perfection. Elegant figurines and sophisticated dishes are resistant to chips, do not absorb odors, and withstand both high and low temperatures. The products are characterized by laconic design, modestly expressed relief and numerous small details with clear lines. The painting is either extremely minimalistic and unobtrusive, or full of images of flowers, birds and fairy-tale creatures.

Today, the most famous brands are Japonica, Nikko, Keito, Narumi and Noritake. To avoid purchasing a fake, pay attention to the marking when purchasing: original products bear the stamp “Fine Bone China,” which means “fine bone china.”

Shopping streets in Tokyo

Ginza is considered to be the main shopping district of the capital. This is the city's largest and most famous shopping avenue. It is included in the top shopping districts in the world that are costly for tenants. For the first time in the country, Ginza was illuminated with gas and electric lamps.
Akihabara is also a large shopping area, famous beyond the borders of Tokyo. The remote streets of Akihabara are overcrowded with shops selling used equipment. However, it is worth clarifying that shopping areas operate in any area of the city.
The fish market is located on Tsukiy Street. Shibuya has a pedestrian street called Takeshita-dori.
In the Taito district, travelers will be surprised by the diversity of the street with souvenirs called Nakamise.

Tenugui

The Japanese desire for cleanliness is known throughout the world. Residents of the Pacific island never cross the threshold of the house in street shoes, and in all restaurants and cafes, visitors are first served hand towels - tenugui. These 30x90 cm decorated cotton products have a long history, first appearing during the Kofun period (250–538).

Tenugui are amazingly versatile. You can use them to tie your head, wipe your hands, blot up spilled tea, or place them on your lap when you need to clean fruits dripping with juice. But remember: while in Japan, never try to use a tenugui as a handkerchief - any local resident will consider this act to be savage.

If you are looking for packaging for a memorable present, feel free to buy tenugui too. By the way, sellers in many stores are fluent in the technique of folding national towels into dozens of different shapes, forcing the souvenir to play with new colors.

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.

Samurai sword

It's hard to imagine a better souvenir for a man than a samurai sword. The weapon, mesmerizing in its shape, is the spiritual symbol of the Land of the Rising Sun, personifying courage, valor and the highest justice. Buddhists perceive this unchanging regalia of ancient warriors as the embodiment of strength, wisdom and divine purity.

The first sword (katana) appeared in Japan at the beginning of the 13th century. Soon, steel blades were canonized, and the craftsmen who made them received high social status. According to archival data, from ancient times to the mid-20th century, only about 2 million swords were produced in the country. Each copy was truly priceless and was passed on by warriors from generation to generation.

Today, authentic samurai swords have enormous historical and cultural significance; the value of the relics is tens of millions of yen. However, in stores you can find good replicas: from souvenir miniatures to full-size copies of katanas, made based on the creations of the best weapons makers of the Middle Ages.

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 rare cases, you will be asked to present the purchased product. VAT is not refundable for alcohol, food, cosmetics and medicines.

Best places to shop

All articles about shopping on Subtleties

Austria Vienna
England London
Andorra
Bulgaria
Vietnam: Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City
Germany: Berlin, Dusseldorf and Munich
Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi
Hungary: Budapest
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, Rimini, Turin, Florence and fur factories in Italy
Cyprus
China: Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai
Malta
Netherlands: Amsterdam
UAE: Dubai
Poland: Warsaw and Krakow
Portugal: Lisbon, Porto and Madeira
Baltics: Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn
Russia Moscow
San Marino
Serbia: Belgrade
USA: New York
Thailand: Bangkok, Pattaya
Türkiye: Antalya, Istanbul
Finland (and its shops): Helsinki (and the shops of the Finnish capital)
France Paris
Montenegro
Czech Republic, Prague
Switzerland: Geneva, Zurich
Sweden: Stockholm
South Korea: Seoul
Japan
Tokyo

Subtleties of shopping tours

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Reminder for tourists: how to return tax on purchases
The best Christmas markets and boutique towns in Europe
Where to go for jewelry
Shopping tours with and without obligations
10 best markets in the world
What can you buy in the world for one dollar?
FAQ about shopping tours

Ukiyo-e prints

In the 17th century, a new art direction, Ukiyo-e, appeared. This style refers to woodcut, which means an impression on paper or printed graphics on wooden surfaces. Ukiyo-e were not works of painting: rectangular prints were viewed as mass media and cheap pictures for ordinary people.

Initially, artists used black and white ink to create Ukiyo-e, and only a century later the pictures acquired color. Since the main buyers of the prints were ordinary townspeople, the subjects of the images reflected everyday life: beautiful geishas, monumental sumo wrestlers, Kabuki theater actors. Later Fukei-ga (landscapes), Kate-ga (birds, flowers) and Shunga (canvases of erotic content) appeared.

The art of Ukiyo-e is still popular today. Modern masters apply images not only to engravings. Copies of famous paintings of the past are placed on clothes, dishes, handbags, tenugui, fans and postcards.

Turner paints

If your friend spends all his free time at an easel, he will probably be happy with Turner paints. Japanese acrylic gouache, named after the English painter William Turner, applies evenly, dries quickly, does not crumble and has good water resistance. Adhesion is also excellent: the paint “sticks” remarkably well to any grease-free surface, so not only paper, but also plastic, fabric, leather, metals, ceramics, wood, and stone can serve as a canvas.

Acrylic gouache is available in 221 shades, including velvety pastels, exotic fluorescents, shiny metallics and pearls glowing from within. All colors mix perfectly without conflicting with each other.

An artist who prefers more delicate and transparent textures will enjoy professional watercolors. To produce the 148 shades included in the palette, Turner experts select pigments that are long-lasting and bright without a hint of haze. Thanks to them, the completed work will delight the creator for a long time with natural and impressive shades that are not in danger of quickly fading.

Music Box

When choosing a gift for friends who know a lot about Asian melodies, pay attention to the traditional music boxes that were born more than a century ago in the vicinity of the now popular resort of Hakone. These regions have long been famous for the variety of wood species, and local craftsmen are known for their ability to create real works of art.

The Japanese box is a unique phenomenon. Its shape, size and pattern depend only on the author’s imagination. There are no generally accepted standards: on store shelves you will find square, rectangular, and round products, the lids of which are often painted using the artistic aizu-nuri technique or decorated with yosegi mosaics. Inside the musical representatives of the glorious family of decorative caskets lies a mechanism capable of playing up to 25 melodies.

Each box has its own secret. Opening it means solving a difficult puzzle. To lift the stubborn lid, you need to find a cleverly hidden lever or move the moving parts of the recalcitrant “puzzle” in a certain sequence.

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 fashionable stores 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 accessories for the rain: raincoats and raincoats of 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 items 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 clothing for our latitudes is a meaningless thing, although beautiful. The climate in the country is very mild, so you won’t find warm clothes even at the Christmas sale. In addition, even in cold weather, the Japanese are not used to wrapping themselves up and dress up at any time of the year only for beauty.

Cosmetics

Japanese cosmetics are breaking records for popularity in the world, along with Korean ones. Hyaluronic acid, snail mucus, algae extracts, as well as high technology 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.

Japanese women are trying their best to maintain the whiteness of their skin, so there are a lot of whitening creams and anti-pigmentation products on the shelves of cosmetic stores, and they are of really excellent quality, you can choose any brand.

Fabric masks with a “Photoshop” effect (albeit temporary) are also very popular. Worth paying attention are the moisturizing masks with snail mucus, the warming Kao steam eye mask (price - from 800 JPY), as well as the 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 is 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, candies 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.

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%.

In Japan, it is profitable to buy photographic equipment; local stores have a huge selection of camera models, 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 is the 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.

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.

A more budget-friendly option is 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, a fashionable abraded effect, in the form of fruits and berries, etc. Prices for rings start from 2000 JPY.

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 are Japanese sweets, for example, wagashi is a traditional Japanese dessert made from rice, red beans and other natural ingredients. Appearance is important (like everything else 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 that are less 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). It is rarely drunk in its pure form; it is 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;
Figurines of maneki-ieko - 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 their white skin from the sun’s rays;
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.

Cosmetics

The velvety snow-white skin of Japanese women is the envy of many European women. The secret of the beauty of Asian enchantresses lies not only in good genetics and proper nutrition. Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun pay great attention to the choice of skin care products, among which the first place belongs to whitening and moisturizing products.

Toners, masks, emulsions and creams containing natural ingredients and designed to give the skin a delightful porcelain matte finish are leaders in the Japanese cosmetics market. The most famous manufacturers are Kanebo, Suhada, Yokota Lab, Shiseido, SK-II, Biore. Among decorative products, it is worth noting the products of the brands Isehan, Shu Uemura, Celvoke.

You can purchase cosmetics in specialized departments of shopping centers or pharmacies. You will find the most affordable prices for mass market goods in the chain stores Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Daiso or CanDo. Luxury brands are found only in fashionable department stores.