Ever since I moved back in Tokyo at the beginning of 2007 (except that one year in Italy in 2010), a lot of oversea friends came to visit Japan. There are places I always take them to and certain food that I make them try while they are in Tokyo. I was born in the residential area of Shinjuku in Tokyo where my family always had a house which I haven't really lived in so I feel like a tourist some times in my own city. So, good thing is, I actually enjoy myself a lot having guests and discovering new things with them here as well!
Since I receive a lot of requests where to find good souvenirs in Tokyo, I made a list and recommend following..;
1) Supermarket: Snacks
I actually do this in any country where supermarket is the reflect of people living in that area and the best place to find cheap fun souvenirs. Go straight to the snack section where you can find tons of fun small boxed snacks for kids. There are so many kind of fun candies and weird flavor potato chips. Do not forget to buy maccha green tea snacks! Different flavor kitkat only available in Japan (also you can find at airports).
2) Supermarket: Sauce and other
Real wasabi tubes (powder ones can never beat these. very useful, I always have wasabi, ginger, garlic tubes in my fridge). Japanese flavor dressings the one with sesami or soysauce. If you like shabushabu, that tasty sesami sauce can be purchased at supermarket also. If you like miso soup, I strongly recommend to buy a few bags of ready made instant miso soup that uses real miso and freeze dry ingredients.
extra at supermarket: Buy plastic wraps. (Japanese quality ones are amazing like the ones you never experienced before. Buy one from Asahikasei. Simply THE BEST)
3) Supermarket: Drinks
As you can find so much variety of drinks at vending machines in Japan, you can purchase at supermarkets. (Heavy to bring home though..) Also I recommend roasted tea (Houji cha) bags and power, roasted rice tea (Genmai Cha) other than regular green tea.
4) Department store: Lingerie
Especially since I am in the industry, I strongly recommend to visit and purchase good quality lingerie from Wacoal. Japan has created own lingerie culture. Designs are always feminine, romantic, flowerly and colorful. Most of them are padded and fairly expensive but really good quality that has been passed tough quality procedure. Something you can buy only in Japan.
5) Department store: Socks
I love those 2 finger socks or 5 finger socks. They are actually very comfortable if they have your size.
6) Department store: Kitchen and crafts
Usually located towards higher floors near event floors, you can find kitchen goods, crafts and porcelain or ceramics. Japan is actually famous for ceramics, knifes and scissors. Buy "Meoto Jyawan" (pair tea cups or rice bowls for yourself, parents, grandparents that come in 2 different sizes as a pair). Quality scissors are the best known in sewing industries.
7) Department store: Basement food floor
Basement of department stores in Japan is HEAVEN. You can always find delicious and best food and confectionery.
8) Kiddyland in Harajuku
You can find many character toys and goods for kids.
9) Loft or Tokyu Hands or Muji
Miscellaneous goods "Zakka" stores, usually fairly big where you can spend hours finding interesting gadgets, daily products, useful tools, design objects. I always recommend stationary, especially pens. I like erasable pens called Frixion by Pilot.
10) 100yen stores: Daiso etc
Daiso has everything in 100yen (plus tax 8%)!
11) Mikimoto
Pearl accessories not too expensive. Comes in pretty packages. For close friends or family, the gift that is very much appreciated. Photo flames, pens, jewelry boxes, earrings, bracelets..
12) Drug store
Drugs for stomach and fever, hangover cure, energy drinks and power, facial masks, makeup and cosmetic products. My Chinese friend also ask me to bring stockings. Matsumoto Kiyoshi is fun.
Since I receive a lot of requests where to find good souvenirs in Tokyo, I made a list and recommend following..;
1) Supermarket: Snacks
I actually do this in any country where supermarket is the reflect of people living in that area and the best place to find cheap fun souvenirs. Go straight to the snack section where you can find tons of fun small boxed snacks for kids. There are so many kind of fun candies and weird flavor potato chips. Do not forget to buy maccha green tea snacks! Different flavor kitkat only available in Japan (also you can find at airports).
2) Supermarket: Sauce and other
Real wasabi tubes (powder ones can never beat these. very useful, I always have wasabi, ginger, garlic tubes in my fridge). Japanese flavor dressings the one with sesami or soysauce. If you like shabushabu, that tasty sesami sauce can be purchased at supermarket also. If you like miso soup, I strongly recommend to buy a few bags of ready made instant miso soup that uses real miso and freeze dry ingredients.
extra at supermarket: Buy plastic wraps. (Japanese quality ones are amazing like the ones you never experienced before. Buy one from Asahikasei. Simply THE BEST)
3) Supermarket: Drinks
As you can find so much variety of drinks at vending machines in Japan, you can purchase at supermarkets. (Heavy to bring home though..) Also I recommend roasted tea (Houji cha) bags and power, roasted rice tea (Genmai Cha) other than regular green tea.
4) Department store: Lingerie
Especially since I am in the industry, I strongly recommend to visit and purchase good quality lingerie from Wacoal. Japan has created own lingerie culture. Designs are always feminine, romantic, flowerly and colorful. Most of them are padded and fairly expensive but really good quality that has been passed tough quality procedure. Something you can buy only in Japan.
5) Department store: Socks
I love those 2 finger socks or 5 finger socks. They are actually very comfortable if they have your size.
6) Department store: Kitchen and crafts
Usually located towards higher floors near event floors, you can find kitchen goods, crafts and porcelain or ceramics. Japan is actually famous for ceramics, knifes and scissors. Buy "Meoto Jyawan" (pair tea cups or rice bowls for yourself, parents, grandparents that come in 2 different sizes as a pair). Quality scissors are the best known in sewing industries.
7) Department store: Basement food floor
Basement of department stores in Japan is HEAVEN. You can always find delicious and best food and confectionery.
8) Kiddyland in Harajuku
You can find many character toys and goods for kids.
9) Loft or Tokyu Hands or Muji
Miscellaneous goods "Zakka" stores, usually fairly big where you can spend hours finding interesting gadgets, daily products, useful tools, design objects. I always recommend stationary, especially pens. I like erasable pens called Frixion by Pilot.
10) 100yen stores: Daiso etc
Daiso has everything in 100yen (plus tax 8%)!
11) Mikimoto
Pearl accessories not too expensive. Comes in pretty packages. For close friends or family, the gift that is very much appreciated. Photo flames, pens, jewelry boxes, earrings, bracelets..
12) Drug store
Drugs for stomach and fever, hangover cure, energy drinks and power, facial masks, makeup and cosmetic products. My Chinese friend also ask me to bring stockings. Matsumoto Kiyoshi is fun.