Check Out the Must-Buy List for 2023 in Japan! Wondering what to grab when you're in Japan? Our editors have curated the top 10 latest and greatest souvenirs you can't miss when traveling to Japan.
These tasty, practical, and unique items should definitely make it to your souvenir list, whether for yourself or as gifts. Be sure to take note before your Japan trip!
Table of Contents
Japan Souvenirs #1: Tokyo Banana
Japan Souvenirs #2: Hokkaido Seafood Cheese Scallops
Japan Souvenirs #3: Home of Owariya Soba Fern Pancakes
Japan Souvenirs #4: Shiroi Koibito
Japan Souvenirs #5: Potato Fry Trio
Japan Souvenirs #6: Yoku Moku Cigare Cookies
Japan Souvenirs #7: Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
Japan Souvenirs #8: Gofukuya Honpo Round Can Yokan
Japan Souvenirs #9: Alfort Sailboat Chocolates
Japan Souvenirs #10: Miyako Island's Snow Salt Kinchaku
Tokyo Banana
source: TOKYO BANANA
First glance, and you'll be hooked by its adorable banana-shaped appearance. The filling is a delightful mix of banana puree and custard sauce, complemented by various flavors like chocolate, coffee, maple syrup, and more. The eye-catching patterns, such as leopard prints, panda bears, giraffes, Hello Kitty, etc., make it a perfect gift for your friends.
Hokkaido Seafood Cheese Scallops
source: EBISU JAPAN
Seafood is not typically the go-to choice for gifts due to freshness concerns, but Japan has cracked the code with these exquisite and compact cheese scallops. The savory flavor of scallops pairs perfectly with rich cheese layers, making it a favorite for those who prefer savory over sweet. Highly recommended is the product from Hokkaido Yamaei Food, incredibly delicious!
Home of Owariya Soba Fern Pancakes
source: Honke Owariya's Soba
The nostalgically charming 'Home of Owariya' is a renowned establishment in Kyoto with a history spanning over 550 years. Carrying forward the legacy, they have elevated the use of buckwheat as an ingredient. While they are most famous for their buckwheat noodles and buckwheat pancakes filled with red bean paste, the one I'd like to recommend is their handmade Soba Fern Pancakes crafted with roasted buckwheat flour.
These pancakes are freshly made and packaged, capturing a rich flavor and a delightfully chewy texture. They are an excellent choice for satisfying your palate without feeling too heavy. From the heart, I genuinely believe that these Soba Fern Pancakes are a must-buy in Japan. After all, fern pancakes represent one of the most traditional Japanese sweets, and Owariya has truly mastered the art of creating them.
Shiroi Koibito
source: Shiroi Koibito Park
These forever-popular sandwich cookies are a personal favorite. I once went crazy and bought 10 boxes of the 24-piece gift set for myself. Produced by Ishiya Confectionery in Hokkaido, these thin, crispy biscuits sandwich a layer of rich white chocolate. If you try them chilled, the texture becomes even more delightful!
Potato Fry Trio
source: CALBEE MANCHE
Another timeless snack available in many places, these fries are made from Hokkaido potatoes, sliced with the skin on, and seasoned with Otokoyama sea salt. The unique part is that when you open the package, the aroma is like freshly fried potatoes. They are crispy, savory, and disappear quickly, making them distinct from fast-food fries in terms of texture – but they're so delicious that you'll finish them in no time.
Yoku Moku Cigare Cookies
source: YOKUMOKU CO.,Ltd
The "Original Cigare Cookies" are a must-buy classic. Once you start, you won't be able to stop. Simple yet crispy, these cookies, although called cigars, are different from typical Taiwanese egg rolls. They are hole-free but wonderfully crunchy, with a rich milk flavor coming from Hokkaido fresh milk. Seriously, buying these as souvenirs will earn you the utmost respect from friends, colleagues, and classmates in Taiwan!
Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
source: Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
The "Sea Salt & Camembert Cheese Cookies" are the star product at the Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory. The combination of France's top Guerande salt and the savory Camembert cheese creates an indulgent flavor. Besides the signature "Sea Salt & Camembert Cheese," they also offer "Honey & Gorgonzola Cheese" and the rich "Milk Cheese Cake," all capturing people's hearts.
Gofukuya Honpo Round Can Yokan
source: HOKKAIDO OMIYAGE
Yokan is like a childhood memory for me, recalling those small rectangular shapes that tasted sweet. However, I recommend Gofukuya Honpo's "Round Can Yokan," made using traditional methods with red beans from Hokkaido. It has a refreshing sweetness and comes in a round, log shape. You can cut it directly using the cotton thread on the can – a creative design indeed.
Alfort Sailboat Chocolates
source: Alfort Biscuits
Even the Japanese can't resist this affordable and popular snack. It combines square biscuits with chocolate perfectly. Each square is a bite-sized delight, with a bottom layer of whole wheat crispy biscuit and a top layer of rich chocolate. The chocolate comes in four basic flavors: chocolate + plain biscuit, vanilla chocolate + dark chocolate biscuit, dark chocolate + chocolate biscuit, and black tea chocolate + plain biscuit. Sometimes, a few pieces during the afternoon at work can satisfy your cravings.
Miyako Island's Snow Salt Kinchaku
source: OMIPEDIA
The 'Kinchaku' is one of Okinawa's iconic souvenirs, a traditional wagashi (Japanese confectionery) made from a blend of flour, eggs, lard, and brown sugar. During the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom, it was a delicacy enjoyed during royal ceremonies. What I'm most excited to recommend is the Snow Salt-flavored Kinchaku from Miyako Island, highly praised by the locals!
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