Gifts for people who love Japan and Japanese things
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The best gift for a loved one is a trip to Japan! But if that’s not possible, the next best things are gifts for people who love Japan and Japanese things.
Once you’ve visited Japan, there’s a magic that excites you. Nothing can replace that feeling except another trip to Japan, or a thoughtful Japanese-inspired gift!
If you have a family member or friend who loves Japan and all Japanese things, here are some great gift ideas to light up that magic in them until they can return once more.
Daruma doll
Daruma dolls are a wonderful gift for people who love Japan and Japanese things. These egg-shaped dolls are seen as good luck talismans in Japan. They watch over families protecting them and helping them achieve their goals.
Daruma dolls are usually purchased around end-of-year or in the New Year to help people make new goals for the upcoming year.
These make the perfect gift for someone who loves Japan to show you believe they can achieve their goals.
Daruma Dolls come in all different colours. Each colour has a specific meaning depending on the wishes of the recipient.
For example, a pink Daruma represents luck in love, a black Daruma represents financial success, and a white Daruma helps with school exams. Here, my article details each colour and meaning.
Don’t forget to remind your gift receiver to colour in one eye of the Daruma when making their goals for the year, then colour the other eye once the goal has been completed.
‘Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life’ book
This book by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles is an international best-seller and is sure to inspire people who love Japan and Japanese things.
Personally, I loved this book so much. It really inspired me to keep writing this blog and making videos to help others explore the lesser-known parts of Japan.
The secret to Ikigai and a long and happy life is to find your purpose. Your ikigai fulfills you, but also serves to help others and also brings you an income.
Ikigai is the reason to get up in the morning and keep going, it’s a reason to not want to retire, but to keep doing what you love into old age.
Japanese Snack Box
Anyone who has been to Japan has fallen in love with the many snack options at the konbini (convenience store).
Now there are many Japanese snack box options for people to enjoy back in their home country.
Many Japanese snack box companies are not owned by Japanese locals, so I suggest doing your research to support a local Japanese business. Use Japanese Snacks Lab to compare your options.
Sylvanian Families or Calico Critters
These gorgeous little flocked creatures in fancy clothes were originally created in Japan in the 1980s and became popular worldwide.
Japan has three Sylvanian family theme parks across the country for super fans to visit and it won’t disappoint! It’s perfectly kawaii (cute) in every way.
For people who love Japan and Japanese things and can’t make it to Sylvanian Land right now, the next best thing is a gorgeous new Sylvanian family to add to their collection.
There are so many gorgeous family options, of course because I am Australian, I particularly like the outback koala family.
The seal family is also a favourite as it’s a new release for 2024 outside of Japan (2023 in Japan) and they are incredibly cute!
The penguin family with their gorgeous ice cream cart is a delightful addition. These were released in 2022 in Japan and then 2023 for the rest of the world.
If it’s a Christmas gift you’re after, the reindeer family look particularly festive in their red and green outfits.
Akoya Pearl Jewellery
Japan produces the vast majority of the stunning Akoya pearls. These make a great gift for people who love Japan and Japanese things.
Akoya Pearls are highly valued around the world because of their high lustre. Many Japanese pearl companies still use the same techniques decades on to ensure high quality.
An authentic Akoya pearl necklace or earrings from Japan would make a wonderful and thoughtful gift.
Japan Lego set
A Japan-themed Lego set is a great gift for people who love Japan and Japanese things.
If you can’t get to Japan as quickly as you like, why not bring Japan to you? Create this cute Tokyo city Lego diorama with Mount Fuji in the background to bring some colourful play to your home.
The Japan Lego architecture set is advised for ages 16 and up. This set includes some of Tokyo’s greatest landmarks: Tokyo Tower, Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Crossing and of course glorious Mount Fuji and plenty of sakura trees.
Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s National Treasures and it’s available as a Lego architecture set. This Lego set is advised for ages 18 and up. It’s quite intricate including outer walls, inside of the keep and surrounding landscaping.
Japanese knife
Japanese knives are known for their high-quality materials, exceptional sharpness, beauty, precision and durability.
A Japanese knife would make a wonderful gift for someone who loves Japan and Japanese things, especially if they also love to cook.
Japanese knives usually have a single bevelled design which make them sharper and more precise. These knives are often made lovingly by traditional craftspeople who have honed their craft over a life time.
Onigiri moulds
If you’re missing your Japan konbini (convenience store foods) and want to recreate yummy onigiri rice snacks at home, onigiri moulds are your saviour!
These moulds, which are usually triangular shaped, help you create the perfect onigiri.
Add fillings or eat plain and salted, you can even grill them for a crunchy texture. Add some furikake (rice seasoning) for extra flavour and wrap in seaweed.
A wonderful gift would be to give all the components for the perfect onigiri: Onigiri mould, furikake, seaweed and of course Japanese rice!
Don’t forget to include the cutest little seaweed face cutouts to make your onigiri extra adorable! Because why not?
