I actually started this list for a Japanese girlfriend of mine but thought I might as well share it here!
See here if you’d like to see my favourite souvenirs to buy in Japan (and a separate list for souvenirs I like to buy specifically for kids in Japan.)
Here are gifts I like to buy for friends overseas that I consider to be fab Aussie gifts:
See here if you’re looking specifically for gifts to take to Japan for friends or colleagues.
1. Tim Tams
I like to stick to the classic type or the double coat.
2. Darrell Lea Bullets
We always take packets and packets of these back to Scotland for family. They are sold at supermarkets and big stores like Big W.
3. Peter Alexander PJs
4. These Aussie supermarket items!
-Kingston bikkies
– Hundreds and Thousands biscuits
– Tick Tock bikkies
-Tasmanian or Manuka Honey (remember that this isn’t recommended to give to babies though.)
– Smith’s Potato Chips (the normal salt flavour or those multi packs are easy to throw in the suitcase.)
-Red Rock Deli Chips (colleagues of mine lost their minds over the sweet chilli & sour cream flavour and also the salt & truffle flavour & lime and pepper )
-The T2 tea bags from the supermarket
-A good quality jar of marmalade is good (you’ll need to tell the receiver it’s “jam” to get the message across easily.)
-Moo Goo Cleansing (Soap) Bars
-Those assorted kelloggs’ cereal packs (you know, the type you take camping etc?)
-a bag of Macadamia nuts from the supermarket (Woolies has those 400g bags)
-Chicken Salt !
-Golden Gaytime popcorn
-Lamington Fingers
5. Uggs (especially the slipper type)
6. These Aussie chemist items
– Lanolips Lip Balm (apparently this is also really popular in Korea)
– Paw Paw Cream
-my Japanese millennial counterparts are obsessed with the Jurlique brand
7. Suki McMaster homewares or clothing
I speak about the South Melbourne Market store here (there is also an online store, though.)
8. Melbourne specific souvenirs at Souvenirs Direct at the Docklands
I speak about Souvenirs Direct at the Docklands in this article here. I like how they have plushies but also Melbourne themed board games and cards.
9. Chocolates & Caramels
These koala caramels from Chocolatier make for cute gifts.
10. Sovereign Hill Raspberry Drops
These are so good – every time! You can watch them being made at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat. The smell is amazing!
10. Isabella’s Beechworth Cordial
Made in Australia and such a big range of flavours. They can be really use with just water or sparkling water or sprite – also with alcoholic drinks or when making shaved ice and slurpees at home.
See a full list of Isabella’s Cordial stockists here.
