10 Unique Japanese Souvenirs You NEED To Bring Home

Ask anyone who’s visited Japan what their impression of the country is, and you’re bound to hear the word “unique” at least once. From the unique culture, art style (anime and manga fans, say hi!), and dining experiences, there’s a reason why almost every tourist finds themselves booking a return visit to eclectic Japan. And if you’re one of the lucky travelers excitedly planning their upcoming trip to the land of the rising sun, you better make sure you’ve got souvenirs on your shopping list because you won’t want to miss the chance to take home some of Japan’s most unique trinkets to remind you of your trip of a lifetime. 

We’ve got a list of Japanese souvenirs for you that are not just unique but are also one-of-its-kind. So read up and roll up your sleeves because your trip to this interestingly creative country is about to become even more creative. 

Almost every first-time visitor to Japan comes to visit Tokyo. Actually, even the ones who’ve visited the city multiple times always find a reason to return. So whether you’re a first-timer or a return visitor, we know we’ve got something on this list that will excite you. 

One of the best things in life is a trusted pair of jeans. You can dress it up or down, use it for workwear, and it just goes well with practically anything! But you know what’s even better than a pair of jeans? One that is sewn perfectly for your body and personally made by you. 

A unique experience you can try in the heart of Tokyo’s fashion district, Shibuya, is to design and make your pair of jeans using “Okayama Denim” - a highly regarded material by jeans connoisseurs – and get creative with it using buttons, rivets, and leather labels. Not only do you get to bring out your inner fashion designer but you get to take home a unique souvenir too!    

If you’re traveling outside Tokyo and heading to Okayama, you can also experience this activity, where the famed denim manufacturer is originally from! 

From all sorts of glassware like wine glasses, water goblets, or even a decanter if you’re up for a challenge, you can take home your very own designed glassware as a souvenir! Using authentic glass handmade by craftsmen in Sumida Ward, you can choose from various types and colors of glass to carve your design for a truly unique souvenir.  

Not confident in your design skills? You’ve got nothing to worry about. You will have an art graduate instructor who can guide you every step of the way, so all you have to do is embrace your creative genius and enjoy a surprisingly relaxing activity! 

Japanese culture is known for appreciating simplicity and their ability to turn something simple into something beautiful. Such is the concept of Kintsugi - the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer and gold dust. Such a simple idea, but the concept teaches us that broken things can be repaired beautifully without the need to hide their cracks and imperfections. Many use Kintsugi as a metaphor for life, and if this resonates with you, you won’t want to miss the chance to practice this art form on your visit to Japan. 

Here, you can transform broken ceramic into a new art piece you can take home as a unique souvenir. Not only will you have a newfound appreciation for Japanese aesthetics and a memorable art piece, but perhaps a new outlook in life, too! 

While Origami is known as the art form of folding paper popularized by Japan, did you know it can also help reduce stress and boost creativity? So, if you’re feeling creative and a little bit ~stressed~, you can sign up for an origami cultural experience on your visit to Tokyo, where you can experience traditional Japanese culture with your hands. 

You can create an anime washi doll, “Hanahime”, to decorate your pen and another papercraft, whether a bookmark, amulet bag or a washi notebook to take home as a souvenir. Though admittedly, perhaps the best souvenir you can get is a “Certificate of Completion” you can hang on your wall back home and a new set of newfound friends you can meet at the workshop! 

Japan is known for its transportation system. While it may seem complex initially, it is easy to get a hang of and can take you to hundreds of places around the country. If you’re planning to venture out to multiple cities during your trip, the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is popular among tourists as a cost-efficient way to travel around the country.

If visiting Mount Fuji is part of your itinerary, why not take home something a little bit more “extra” than those popular “Fuji-san” refrigerator magnets? You can have a go at glass blowing and bring home your very own Fuji-San glass vase! Not only will this be a unique experience, but you also get to take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir as you can combine 20 colors of glass to make a kaleidoscope vase! Who says Mount Fuji only needs to be white and blue? 

Hailed as the food capital of Japan, Osaka is next to Tokyo’s popularity among tourists. From Takoyaki-flavored Pringles to Okonomiyaki biscuit sticks, there is no shortage of food souvenirs you can buy from Osaka. For a more immersive experience, you can sign up for a pottery workshop where you can learn about traditional art while talking about what makes Osaka a must-visit. As a souvenir, you get to take home your handmade sushi plate and chopsticks rest!

Located in the southernmost part of Kyushu Island is Kagoshima, nicknamed “Naples of the East”, as it often resembles the charming Italian city. Much like Naples, Kagoshima is brimming with cultural experiences. A popular activity is handweaving an Oshima-Tsumugi, a traditional handwoven cloth commonly produced on the island. Sign up for a workshop and appreciate handweaving as an art form where you’ll be taught to weave complex patterns using your hands and feet. No prior experience is required as you’ll be guided through every step of the way, and the best part? You can have your very own Oshima-Tsumugi as a souvenir! 

Whether you want to use your Oshima-Tsumugi as a table centerpiece or a vase mat, it’s as easy as 1-2-3 to book your handweaving experience here.

It is common knowledge that paper is made from trees. But have you ever thought of the process and technique required to craft a paper from scratch? Japanese “Washi” Paper is popular for its handmaiden quality, crafted using traditional paper making methods. All you need is two hours, and you’ve got a souvenir that is truly the only one in the world: postcard-sized Washi papers made by your hands using materials from Hokkaido! Use them for a letter to someone special, or you can frame it up as a memento of your trip! 

If you consider yourself an artist and traveling to Hiroshima, then you might want to consider heading to Kumano city, which is called the world’s “City of Brushes”, and grab a chance to be taught by one of the only three craftswomen in the city to make a Kumano calligraphy brush. For those who like cosmetics, Kumano brushes are used in Hollywood and fashion shows because of their quality. You can buy these brushes at the shop as a souvenir, but for an even more memorable experience, wouldn't you want to learn the traditional process of brush making? You can even engrave your name on the handle for a truly unique souvenir! 

Called the “City of a Thousand Temples,” Kyoto is where visitors get to take a glimpse of Japan in the past and is considered the cultural capital of the country where most of its prewar cultural heritage has been preserved. Some townhouses in the prefecture are centuries-old and are still in use! If you want to experience a nostalgic atmosphere and get a unique souvenir, you can consider signing up for a workshop to make an old Japanese Coin Strap at a Kyoto townhouse that is over 119 years old.

Located just a mere 10-minute walk from the JR Kyoto Station, you definitely should not miss this experience. But seriously, whether you’re signing up for a workshop or not, you should still visit the townhouse as there is a museum inside that will take you back in time so be sure to add it onto your Kyoto itinerary!  

If you prefer to collect unique memories as a souvenir, then Japan has an endless list of experiences you probably would not be able to encounter anywhere else in the world.  

Are you into sports? Then you can’t miss the chance to watch a sumo match on your visit to Japan and witness the country’s national sport live in action. Read up more about sumo and how to score tickets here!

Where else can you experience dining at a dystopian-themed, science fiction-inspired restaurant without anyone batting an eye? In the heart of Tokyo, Japan of course! Neo Shinjyuku Atsushi is a themed-bar and restaurant where visitors are transported to a post-apocalyptic Tokyo and where drinks just might make you blink twice. Cordyceps cocktail, anyone? 

If you’re in Osaka and looking for some serious entertainment to add onto your foodie bucket list, then you should check out this unique cafe where you can watch professional actors roleplay as some of Japan’s legendary swordsmen. Watch them perform comedic acts, traditional dances, and you even get to join them in make believe sword fights! Find out how you can visit them here.

Now that you’ve sorted out your take-home trinkets (or memories), make sure that you also have your travel essentials sorted for a hassle-free trip! Here are must-reads you can check out for our expert tips on the best way to discover Japan and find your very own world of joy in the land of the rising sun!