
From reusable titanium straws to a marker pen that opens boxes, this list is a fantastic source of Christmas gift ideas for your loved ones.
Popular chain store Loft may be crazy enough to offer quirky pineapple-themed lucky bags at the end of the year, but the novelty shop also sells an astounding range of unusual everyday commodities that are often both surprisingly practical and aesthetically pleasing.
There are literally thousands of cool choices available, which can make shopping at the store a rather time-consuming process. Fortunately, the Japanese company recently compiled a list of 12 most sought-after merchandise between January to November this year that will help shoppers decide. In no particular order, the items and their respective manufacturing companies are as follows.
▼ 1. Laundry Mag (1,944 yen [US$17.11], Tamakane)
Throw this little pouch into your washing machine to eliminate all mold odor. Utilizing the power of magnesium, the great thing about it is that you can just throw it in together with laundry and let the washing cycle do all the work for you. Lasts for more than 300 uses.
▼ 2. Trivia Ruled Notebook (411 yen, King Jim)
This A5-sized notebook might seem ordinary at first glance, but the lines on the book are actually made up of tiny Japanese words from various themes. Choose from a range of era names, a collection of 100 famous poems, country names, city names, or even prime numbers.
▼ 3. Study Planner (972 yen, Iroha)
Available in a variety of colors, this A5-sized study planner features cute designs and simple layouts to help organize your weekly schedules into easily digestible formats.
▼ 4. Eco Carat Bottle Drying Stick (1,059 yen, Marna)
Don’t you hate it when you try to dry long narrow bottles that are hard to reach the insides of with your hands? Worry no more, as placing this super absorbent porous ceramic stick in there will dry up those hard-to-reach places in no time. It also comes with a silicone sleeve to prevent scratches!
▼ 5. Titanium Straw (756 yen, Horie)
Why bother with disposable plastic straws when you can astound your friends with a reusable and lightweight straw made from titanium?
▼ 6. We Didn’t Playtest This at All Card Game (1,620 yen, Group SNE)
Cards with random, funny and often ridiculous descriptions help make this fast-paced game a blast to play with friends.
▼ 7. Abdominal Breathing Exerciser “Long Piropiro” (1,059 yen, Dream)
Remember those little party horns that unroll when blown into? Extend it to one meter (3.28 feet) in length and it apparently transforms into an exercise tool. Mix it into a bag of regular party blowers for maximum laughter.
▼ 8. Marker Work (195 yen, Zebra)
This nifty marker pen comes with a short sturdy stub that is great for opening cardboard boxes.
▼ 9. Air Curl (Plus)
This double clip sports a longer handle that reduces the amount of strength required to open by a whopping 50 percent. Available in packs of 10 in small, medium and large (324 yen, 378 yen, 486 yen) sizes.
▼ 10. Lovely Butt Hip Care Soap (648 yen, Pelican Soap)
Shaped like a cute bum and packed with six moisturizing essences, the Lovely Butt Hip Care Soap became a hit among customers in the second half of 2018.
▼ 11. Five Seconds Shine Heel File (2,700 yen, Kyowa)
Utilizing 0.01 millimeter-sized pieces of specially designed glass, a quick buff provides a smooth finish to dry and cracked heels in an instant.
▼ 12. Teeth Shining (1,944 yen, Wazuku)
This dental treatment cream comes infused with tungsten oxide, a whitening component that activates even in natural light. Apply it to teeth after brushing, shine an LED light in your mouth and a chemical reaction will occur, rapidly disintegrating yellow stains for a shiny smile. An extremely popular product since its release in September.
Any one of these would make a great present or a novelty gift for friends and family, though I would be absolutely thrilled if I received my very own engraved Titanium Straw. There are a ton of other interesting items available, but the best way to discover them is to drop by a Loft store. Who knows? You might even spot a Japanese wrestling hunk operating the cash register!
Images:©SoraNews24, Loft













Fatal stabbing at Pokémon Center in Tokyo reignites concern over rising stalking cases in Japan
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Japanese kindness restores our faith in humanity after a highway bus accident in Tokyo
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Fatal stabbing at Pokémon Center in Tokyo reignites concern over rising stalking cases in Japan
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Japanese kindness restores our faith in humanity after a highway bus accident in Tokyo
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
Japan’s ministry of economy reminds us to “use sound judgment” before buying toilet paper
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Huge life-size Eevee Eeveelution Pokémon plushies will steal hearts, conquer living rooms【Photos】
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
Japan’s ministry of economy reminds us to “use sound judgment” before buying toilet paper
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Huge life-size Eevee Eeveelution Pokémon plushies will steal hearts, conquer living rooms【Photos】
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Daiso’s 100-yen ramen egg makers even better in smaller sizes
Conan O’Brien announces trip to Japan in negotiation over rural Tottori Prefecture’s Conan Town
Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea reveal what it’ll be like for visitors when they reopen【Videos】
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Funny signs in Japan: 7-Eleven enters the ring with a humorous notice for drivers
Japanese politicians working to promote plastic model culture as a cultural asset
Deer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video]