Japan is a weird, cool place. The country is also absolutely overflowing with history and completely original traditions. They love the idea of efficiency, but also of anything kawaii (which means “cute”… seriously, Japan is a cute overload).
I’m big on getting something authentic and interesting when I travel. Here are some of the top things I’d recommend:
1. Fake food
One of the coolest things about Japan are the window displays at restaurants, which have these incredibly realistic-looking plates of food on display to entice you.
The best part is you can buy this fake food as souvenir magnets, keychains, or full plates (if that’s your thing).
Where to get fake food:
The best shop I saw for buying fake food in Japan was on Nara’s Mochiidono Shopping Street. It had a huge variety and wasn’t crazy expensive. In Tokyo, you can search for it in the Kappabashi district, though I found it to be more expensive and a smaller range.
I wound up getting a sushi magnet for my parents from a shop behind the Nakamise Shopping Street on my way to the Senso-ji Temple.
Cost:
My magnet cost 1,320 JPY (about $12).
2. Maneki Neko (beckoning cat)
I spent days and days searching for one of these bad boys.
To Westerners like myself, it actually looks as if the cat is waving, but after watching Memoirs of a Geisha and reading up on the cats, I learned that they are actually beckoning.
In Japan, to call someone over, you raise your arm, bent at the elbow and loose at the wrist. Then, you sort of move your hand back toward your arm.
I’m doing a crap job of explaining, so YouTube it
Anyway, the Maneki Neko bring various types of good luck depending which paw is raised in the air.
The left paw raised brings in more customers, so you’ll see many businesses in Japan with one of these in the window or entrance.
The right paw up brings money and good fortune and therefore people buy them for their homes.
So remember: left paw = business, right paw = home.
Where to get a maneki neko beckoning cat:
You’ll find loads of shops selling these on Nakamise Shopping Street in Tokyo.
Cost:
Really tiny cats can cost as little as 350 JPY ($3.20). The bigger you go, the more expensive. My Maneki Neko is about eight inches tall and cost me 1,500 JPY ($13.75).
3. Camera strap made from a vintage kimono
The best souvenir I purchased in Japan, this new camera strap for my Sony A6300 comes from a vintage kimono. It took me the better part of an hour to choose from all of the pretty patterns they had, and ended up with the one pictured.
I use my camera almost everyday while traveling, so it’s a constant reminder of Japan and the beauty of traditional kimonos.
Where to get a kimono camera strap:
As you cross the bridge into the Gion District of Kyoto, shops line the main street. On your right will be a shop selling all sorts of tourist goodies, and in the back they have these camera straps. It’s the only place I ever saw them — I should’ve grabbed the name of the shop but was in a rush and missed it.
Sorry! Think of it as an adventure.
Cost:
4,180 JPY ($38) and so worth it!
4. Kokeshi: painted Japanese doll
Originally made as guardians of children, these wooden dolls are traditionally painted black, red, and yellow. Nowadays you can get them in any assortment of color or style you want.
I love the streamlined shape and decor of them, but my overly stuffed backpack wouldn’t allow me to buy one (next time, next time).
Where to get a painted wooden Japanese doll:
You’ll see these dolls all over tourist shops, but more authentic ones can be found in antique stores. I saw lots of traditional-style ones in the Kappabashi area in Tokyo and a few in Nara as well.
Cost:
Again, it depends on the size of doll you get. They can range from about $15 for the cheapest and smallest ones up into the $75 range and beyond.
Steeped in traditions or currently in fashion, these Japanese souvenirs can’t be found in any other country, and the Japanese use them firsthand (besides the camera strap, but that was so unique I included it anyway!).
Happy shopping! If I missed any great places to find these items (and I probably did), feel free to drop them in a comment below.
The post 4 interesting souvenirs to buy in Japan appeared first on Gone Rogue.
