Every trip to Japan ends with my suitcase a little fuller than when I arrived. While I love bringing home souvenirs, it’s these everyday purchases that have become some of my favorite reminders of the trip. Years later, I still use them all the time.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, I’d encourage you to bring home things you’ll continue using long after your trip ends. These are the purchases I’d happily make again.
Kitchen & Dining
Japanese Kitchen Knife
My husband was determined to bring home a Japanese kitchen knife after hearing how well they’re made and how long they last. While we were wandering through Tanukikoji Shopping Street, he spotted a knife shop and walked in. About 40 minutes later, he came out with this knife and a pair of kitchen scissors.
He spent time comparing different sizes, weights, and finishes before settling on a heavier knife with a smooth finish. Months later, it’s still the knife he reaches for almost every time he cooks. It’s incredibly sharp and makes food prep easier.
If you’re planning to buy one in Japan, I’d recommend visiting a specialty knife shop where you can hold different knives and choose the one that feels most comfortable in your hand.
Bought at: Miyabun Hamono, Sapporo
Matcha Bowl
After wandering through several stores in Kappabashi Kitchen Town, I came across a shop with tables covered in bowls of every color. Blues, reds, whites, pinks, you name it. My eyes were immediately drawn to this shallow blue bowl. I remember there was only one left because I would’ve loved to bring home a matching pair.
Originally, I planned to use it as a rice bowl or for small side dishes. Over time, though, it became my favorite matcha bowl. Its wide, shallow shape makes whisking easy, and I love how the vibrant green matcha contrasts against the blue glaze.
Since I make matcha almost every morning, it’s become one of my most-used purchases from Japan.
Bought in: Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Tokyo
Matcha Whisk Holder
As I strolled through the different shops in Kappabashi Kitchen Town, I noticed a few had small sections dedicated to matcha, with bowls, whisks, and accessories displayed together. One shop had these matcha whisk holders (chasen-tate) in several colors, and I ended up choosing this dark olive green one.
It might seem like a small purchase, but it helps the bamboo whisk dry properly and maintain its shape between uses. Since I make matcha almost every morning, it’s become something I use just as often as the whisk itself. It’s one of those purchases that ended up being much more useful than I expected.
Bought in: Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Tokyo
Kinto Glasses
I first heard about Kinto before one of our trips to Japan, and I immediately loved their simple, clean designs, especially the glasses. I was tempted to order them online, but since I knew we were heading to Japan, I decided to wait so I could see them in person. Plus, I knew I’d save a little money because of the exchange rate.
I ended up bringing home four 12-ounce CAST glasses, and they’ve become some of our most-used cups. They’re lightweight, comfortable to hold, and just the right size for the drinks I make at home. They’re especially perfect for iced lattes and iced matcha.
Bought at: Kinto Store, Tokyo
Cute Side Plates
I couldn’t leave the shop with just the bowl. These little side plates caught my eye too.
I loved the soft green accents and the unique rectangular and oval shapes. I imagined using them for fruit, little snacks, or banchan, and that’s exactly how I use them today. They make even simple snacks feel a little more special, and they’re some of my favorite dishes to pull out when we have guests over.
I also remember being surprised by how affordable they were, at around $5–8 USD each. I later came across the exact same plate in Korea for around $30, which made me even happier that I’d picked them up in Japan.
Bought in: Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Tokyo
Wooden Tray
Before our trip, I’d been looking for wooden trays to use around the house, whether for serving tea to guests or carrying breakfast to the table. When I looked online, though, I was surprised by how expensive they were.
When I found similar trays in Japan for around $7–8 USD each, I couldn’t pass them up.
I still use one every day on our dining table to hold our napkin holder and a few decorative pieces. It’s one of those simple purchases that makes our home feel a little warmer.
Bought in: Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Tokyo
Home
Cotton Coasters
I wandered into the sweetest little stationery store filled with journals, stickers, slippers, pouches, and all kinds of little home goods. Everything had a soft, muted color palette, and I wanted to look at every shelf.
While browsing, I came across these cotton coasters. The pastel green immediately caught my eye because I knew they’d look beautiful on our light wood dining table.
I decorate with mostly neutrals, so they add just the right amount of color. They’re a small detail, but I love how they look on our table.
Bought in: Sapporo
Pencil Holder
High Tide is one of our favorite stationery stores in Japan, so we always make time to stop by if there’s one nearby. As we looked around, this brown paper bag-shaped pencil holder caught our eye. We thought it was such a clever design.
Since we both liked it, we each decided to bring one home. At the time, my husband didn’t have a pencil holder for his desk, and I was just using a plain white cup. They were a little more expensive than we expected, so we went back and forth on whether to buy them.
Looking back, I’m glad we did. They’re still sitting on our desks holding our pens and pencils every day.
Bought at: HIGHTIDE Store, Tokyo
Everyday Essentials
Nail Clippers
I had these nail clippers recommended to me before my trip to Japan, so I was curious to see what all the hype was about. Before this, I was still using an old pair from a nail kit my mom had owned for years.
When I spotted them during our mandatory Don Quijote stop, I figured it was the perfect time to finally try them.
I don’t have much to compare them to, but they immediately felt sharper than the pair I’d been using. They cut cleanly with very little pressure, and they’re still the only nail clippers we use.
Bought at: Don Quijote, Tokyo
Sunscreen
We didn’t pack body sunscreen for our trip because we planned to buy some once we arrived. While wandering through Don Quijote, I spotted the Nivea Super Water Gel sunscreen and remembered seeing it recommended on a list of beauty products to buy in Japan, so I decided to give it a try.
The first time I used it, I immediately noticed how lightweight it felt. It spread easily, absorbed quickly, and didn’t leave behind the greasy feeling that many body sunscreens do. I also love that it comes in a pump bottle, which makes it really convenient to use.
My husband, who usually hates putting on sunscreen, had no complaints about using this one throughout the trip. We’ve continued buying it ever since.
Bought at: Don Quijote, Tokyo
Kinto Water Bottle
Along with Don Quijote, Loft is another store I always love browsing. Their kitchen and home sections are especially fun because they carry so many well-designed products from various brands.
This water bottle immediately caught my eye because of its simple design. When I realized it was from Kinto, I knew I wanted it.
The built-in handle makes it easy to carry around, and it’s exactly the kind of well-designed, everyday item I appreciate. It’s one of the water bottles I reach for most often when I leave the house.
Bought at: Loft, Tokyo
Looking back, I’m glad so many of the things I brought home from Japan weren’t traditional souvenirs. They’re simple things I use in my kitchen, on my desk, or as I head out the door. Somehow, that makes them even better reminders of the trip.
If I had to pack my suitcase all over again, I’d happily make room for every one of them.