Can you resist cheap cute Japanese goods? Neither can we! Daiso, Japan’s most famous dollar store, is full of trinkets and treats for casual lifestyle use. One item you will see many Japanese people pick up are Mascot Pens. These are normal ballpoint pens except they have a giant themed figure on the end! Not…

Finding and buying Omiyage (souvenirs in Japanese) is just one unmissable aspect of any trip to a new country. During your trip to Japan, you will notice there are a lot of shops where you can buy souvenirs. You may feel a little bit lost with all the choices on offer in those shops. Here…

In Japan, it is the general custom to pick up some “omiyage”, or “gifts” for your loved ones whenever you visit a different place. It is somewhat similar in other countries, where we encourage the idea that if you go somewhere, particularly a different country, you should buy some kind of gift for your friends…

Christmas and New Year may be over, but the act of giving gifts isn’t! Whether it’s to celebrate a loved one’s birthday or to congratulate a colleague, gift giving plays an important role in gatherings. And while you can’t judge a gift by its wrapper, there’s nothing wrong with spending a significant amount of time…

We all know that fruits in Japan are a bit expensive, but did you know that there is an expensive store where you can buy the best fruits for gift giving? Started way back in 1834 as a small discount shop, Sembikiya (千疋屋) is, in fact, the oldest fruit parlor currently existing in Japan. It…

Cherry blossom viewing in Okinawa (沖縄) might have already come to an end but it’s never too late to enjoy the sheer grandeur of Japan’s southernmost prefecture. Due to its geographical location, Okinawa is the only place in the country that enjoys a tropical-like climate comparable to its neighboring countries, such as the Philippines and…

So you are heading to the capital city of the Land of the Rising Sun, all excited and ready to hit the towers and the sushi bars. But before you pack your suitcases, here are a few items that every traveler must have in order to have a pleasant stay in Tokyo (東京). 1. Adapters…

Daikanyama is a dream location full of hidden gems. From pastries to restaurants to assorted one-of-a-kind knick-knacks (or “zakka”), this city has you covered. There is nothing like strolling through alleyways looking for the next treasure that awaits. Don’t let the big stores fool you, especially the flagship Daikanyama T-Site full of greenery and books.…

It is a very rare occurrence to find a cosmetic item that comes at an affordable price yet superb quality. In Japan, there are so many beauty products to choose from. Some are used as souvenirs not only because of their beautiful packaging but also because of their excellent quality. I highly recommend 3 perfect…

Japan is an expert when it comes to creating realistic-looking food samples. Many restaurants display these samples in their windows as an example of the food they serve, and to attract more customers with very real looking plastic food. For us folks who do not own a restaurant, we appreciate fake food as well, it…