I haven’t been able to get a blog post out for a while because of pressing work, but since I just got back from Japan, I wanted to share a brief update. It was a fast-paced trip, only three full days on the ground, but I was able to visit several shops and markets.
Shopping in Japan is a great experience and you’ve likely heard of brands like Uniqlo and Muji, which have a presence in the US for clothing and home goods, respectively. Gu is owned by the same company as Uniqlo and has great women’s clothing. Don Quixote is a chain of discount stores with handbags, skincare, and everything in between.
As with many parts of the world, you’ll find certain neighborhoods all selling the same type of good. For example, Kappabashi Street sells kitchen essentials like knives and artificial display food. Shibuya also has several vintage boutiques.
Ceramics
I knew that Japan has a ceramics culture but I wasn’t prepared for just how many things I would want. I loved these ceramic pour-overs for coffee but ended up instead buying two mugs for my siblings in earth tones that resemble their collections from East Fork, an American company. Just make sure your finds are wrapped well for travel!
Kitchenware
A whole street for kitchen goods? Talk about a dream. I could easily keep wandering here for items like knives, sharpeners, personalized chopsticks, and cute chopstick rests. If you or one of your loved ones loves to cook, this is the best place to shop.
Stationery
I didn’t buy any myself, but a friend who traveled to Japan before I did found a lot of cool paper goods, including stamps. Muji has excellent notebooks and pens that can help you journal during your travels or to give friends and family.
Good Luck Charms
I’ve had my tea leaves read in New Orleans, had my dreams interpreted in Virginia, and met with a medium in Florida, so I embrace the spiritual when I travel. We went to a temple and got our fortunes for a few yen. I liked this as a souvenir that I could bring home with me.
Spirits
Japan has an incredible craft cocktail culture so bringing home the native spirits is a good way to prolong your experience. Sake is well known, but don’t forget about soju, whisky, and gin, all Japanese-made products.
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