omiyage
It turns out there’s a whole range of classic Kyoto goodies available on a typical store shelf!
We buy stacks of the new limited-edition sweet souvenir to see if we can snare all six cute Pikachu designs.
A collaboration that brings one of Japan’s oldest traditions and food culture together, in the form of tableware.
Now you can enjoy 35 different Japan-exclusive Kit Kats without having to run around town trying to find them all.
Available to purchase only in the Kanto region, this new variety comes packed with traditional Japanese flavour.
As 2017 begins to draw to a close, it’s time to look back at the year that was, and for Tokyo Station it was a year filled with glorious sweets.
With queues out the door for the new limited-edition Tokyo Banana Kit Kat, we grab a pack to see if it’s really worth all the hype.
We get our hands on one of Japan’s most sought-after souvenirs to find out what makes them so popular.
These adorable sweets have been meticulously handcrafted by a centuries-old confectionery retailer in Kyoto.
Believe it or not, train stations are one of the best places to buy gifts in Japan. Train station omiyage (gifts brought back from your travels) are usually edible, representative of the local culture, and are well-received by everyone from colleagues at work to friends or neighbors.
Whereas in the west we tend to keep a person’s personality and their likes in mind when buying a gift, thankfully in Japan, it’s much easier—just buy what’s most popular! In convenient Japan, you’ll find most of the decisions already made for you, so all you have to do is decide how many pre-giftwrapped boxes you want of each item, and you’ll soon be on your way. You can even wait until you’re on the train to buy them from the vendor pushing their cart up and down the aisles on the Shinkansen.
While initially the array of train station omiyage may seem baffling (hundreds of choices!), in this article we whittle it down to the most popular picks; the things that anyone would love to receive. We’ll start in Hokkaido up in the north and move down the archipelago station by station, highlighting the most popular gifts sold at each bullet train station. At the end, we also offer some suggestions on what to purchase if you’re looking for souvenirs from Japan to take abroad.
Japan has a lot of unique customs, and not all of them make sense to newcomers. Eating fried chicken on Christmas Eve, anyone? How about the weird ritual of girls giving chocolate to guys on Valentine’s Day (do guys really like chocolate more than we girls do?).
But it turns out that there are plenty of customs that even Japanese people think are a waste of time. Here’s the top seven worst offenders, and why they are so annoying…
What would you get if you crossed the ancient capital of Japan with the massively successful Dragon Quest series of video games? Nope, it’s not a silly question, since this collaboration has already been realized in the form of “Nara Quest,” the funny title for a handful of amusing souvenirs from Nara Prefecture that parody the famous game franchise. Read on for a look at the clever goods!
If you’re lucky enough to take a trip over to Tokyo, it’s best to bring a little slice of Japan’s capital back home for those who missed out on your trip. But with all the delectable sweets and beautifully packaged treats, it can be a little overwhelming to choose the right one. So before you leave, be sure to take a look at this list of the top 10 omiyage you can only buy at Tokyo Station.
If you’re looking for a unique Japanese gift that’s light in your luggage but heavy in tradition, then this is the item for you. It’s called the KD Daruma (Knock-Down Daruma) and it’s modelled on the centuries-old, round, good-luck talisman which symbolises Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. This modern take on the daruma features a flat-pack design and clever assembly so unusual it’s just been awarded first prize as Japan’s most fascinating souvenir in a competition held by the Japan Tourism Agency. We take a closer look at the details to see what makes this little novelty so charming.
MOST POPULAR
Now
How well do you know your sushi? New 3-D puzzle toy from Japan helps you become a salmon pro
Tokyo Disneyland is giving the Haunted Mansion an anime-style re-theme
We try Matsuya’s beef stroganoff, only available at select spots, and learn a bit about Matsuya
Mt. Fuji looks more like a suibokuga painting than real life in this amazing photo
City employee in Japan kills wild boar with spear on elementary school grounds
It’s pretty amazing buses in this Japanese town don’t crash into this mountain every day【Video】
This Hokkaido-local curry chain serves curry so good it ought to be popular all over Japan
We visit Evangelion’s real-life Village-3, a hidden gem where time has stopped【Photos】
Tokyo’s huge new anime entertainment complex reveals opening date, floor guide
Slowpoke Sofa wants to help you live the slow life of your Pokémon dreams【Photos】
Weekly
Junior high in Yamaguchi in turmoil after student’s tablet records teachers’ room conversation
Dr. Martens’ Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji collection is a work of wearable art
Starbucks Japan unveils second new Christmas Frappuccino for the 2022 holiday season
Japan’s purring cat cuddle cushions evolve into an even higher form of virtual pet life【Photos】
Bleach Coca-Cola is on sale in Japan and won’t kill you, but how does it taste?【Taste test】
Bottled hot water selling like bottled hot cakes in Japan
Visiting Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 anime locations in real-life Hakone【Photos】
More than one in three Japanese working women in survey would rather be housewives
UX at Japanese convenience store is a heartwarming example of excellent customer service
Is ramen without the “men” a Tokyo dining paradox worth experiencing?【Taste test】
Monthly
Studio Ghibli offering reprints of posters from all its anime films made from original plates
Tom and Jerry have been given an ultra kawaii redesign in Japan for a new animated series- Junior high in Yamaguchi in turmoil after student’s tablet records teachers’ room conversation
Real-life Spirited Away train line found in Japan?
Live-action Spirited Away stage play is finally available for on-demand streaming
Why hayashi rice should be your last meal before leaving Japan
Tokyo’s new Dragon Capital restaurant complex looks like fairy tale, sounds like dream come true
Candy from Ghibli’s Grave of the Fireflies disappearing as manufacturer goes out of business
6 delicious, lesser-known food souvenirs you should buy on your next visit to Japan
Dragon Ball Z Friezapod cushion chair on sale from Bandai Namco
Yearly
Mandarin orange peels aren’t trash, they’re treasure! Three chimpi tips to reuse your mikan skins
Move over grilled cheese — we’ve discovered the tastiest toasted sandwich yet【Recipe】
One Punch Man manga artist’s amazing “practice” drawing is so good we think he might not be human
Sony’s wearable air conditioners selling like cold cakes in heat-stricken Japan
Travelling to Japan soon? Beware the “Three Small Hells” awaiting tourists upon arrival
How to use the new floating hologram registers at 7-Eleven
Liev Schreiber’s son deemed “too beautiful” in Japan
Japan ends travel ban on individual tourists, waives visa requirements for certain countries
One Piece’s Luffy spent years of manga’s publication without saying a word to one of his nakama
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
RECOMMENDED STORIES
It’s pretty amazing buses in this Japanese town don’t crash into this mountain every day【Video】
This Hokkaido-local curry chain serves curry so good it ought to be popular all over Japan
We visit Evangelion’s real-life Village-3, a hidden gem where time has stopped【Photos】
Tokyo’s huge new anime entertainment complex reveals opening date, floor guide
Slowpoke Sofa wants to help you live the slow life of your Pokémon dreams【Photos】
It’s OK to eat ramen every day, says Japanese doctor…as long as it’s not one type
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
UX at Japanese convenience store is a heartwarming example of excellent customer service
“Why, Japanese people!?” American dude has us rolling on the floor laughing with his comedic sketch
Cosplay mosquito repellent? Japan’s new magical-armor-style accessory protects you from bugs
This gummy-based roast beef sauce recipe is sure to make an impact on your dinner guests
Taste testing 7-Eleven Japan’s five frozen curries to see which ones nail it
-
