Souvenirs from Japan

Gachapon capsule toys make ideal souvenirs

"Gachapon, coin operated vending machines, are ubiquitous in Japan. Unlike their downscale cousins in the US, which usually dispense stale candy or cheap plastic gadgets, gachapon figurines can be collectors items. The variety is endless, and changes constantly based on trends in the entertainment industry."

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Japanese stationery

“Bunbougu is the Japanese word for stationery and it includes all kinds of items that you might use for writing, drawing, or paper crafts… Pick up a few items and put a little bit of Japanese kawaii and quality into your everyday life. Maybe the best use for the pens and notebooks would be to create a travel journal.“

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Tenugui textiles with Japanese patterns

“Tenugui are small pieces of cloth for everyday use. They make perfect gifts and souvenirs. Now many Japanese carry small towels in their bags, but before the more fluffy towels became popular tenugui was widely used... There are prints and designs for the seasons, special holidays, and festivals.”

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Kappabashi, the best place to find kitchen tools

“Kappabashi Tool Street is about 800m long located in 10-minute walking distance from Asakusa and has more than 150 stores relating to kitchen or restaurant. These are sample foods made of wax, which you can find in a show-window at the restaurants in Asakusa.”

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Cute items from a 100 Yen shop

“100 yen shops … now have many kinds of Japanese souvenirs for foreign travelers, and I found good ones. Sushi magnets. I am sure that my host mother in my school days in the U.S. would love them because she was putting many magnets on the refrigerator.”

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Flee market finds

“First of all, it's not all shopping, it is also fun to visit because you will see things that are not sold anywhere else, things for all tastes… You will spend time there that is not lost: you will discover a new face of Japan, and be able to find something to remind you of Japan, at, what is usually reasonable costs.”

Read the full post http://www.deepjapan.org/a/3455