I plan on making this post a constant “work in progress” and updating as I find new tricks and treats…mainly as my kiddies seem to be more than happy to be the guinea pigs for this “experiment” and kindly and thoughtfully let me know which of my ideas are pure rubbish but soon leaving a suggestion on the floor – never to be played with again.
I’m learning more and more to buy overseas friends not just the “traditional” gifts but instead also keep my mind just generally open to the things that aren’t easily found outside of Japan and also things that are made in Japan too (with kiddies this is also a peace of mind thing too as Japan almost always has stricter quality and safety requirements than it’s neighbouring countries and their manufacturers.)
Here are some suggestions:
A very cute Japanese cutlery set
These can be found at Sanrio Stores, Don Quijote Store and also in the kitchen accessory section of most shopping malls.
A Jinbei for a baby or a toddler
I find that Toys R Us Japan have some great options (usually sold around Summertime)
Universal Studios Merchandise
This Mario hat is 3700 yen.
The car shaped Mario popcorn bucket is 5300 yen.
See here for my tips for visiting Universal Studios Japan with kids.
Disney Cups
We are using these as our morning milk cups now. They cost 800 yen each.
I found them at the Disney Store in Ikspiari, the shopping mall just outside of Tokyo Disneyland.
Mismatched Disney Socks from Thank you Mart
Thank you Mart is a 390 yen shop and they sell 2 pairs of these Disney socks for 390 yen. They are deliberately mismatched. They are sold in adult sizes (small adult sizes) but they fit my 5 and 6 year olds just fine. Google your closest Thank you Mart. They are all over Japan.
Winnie the Pooh Toasted Sandwich Maker
If you are from a country with the same voltage as Japan ( 100V ) these are the cutest presents.
We bought ours at Yodobashi Camera stores for around 5000 yen. They are also for sale here on Rakuten.
Love Sweets Balloon Kit
This is an balloon decoration kit that I purchased for my little girl in Harajuku.
It is a great activity to take on holidays as the balloons, cardboard cut outs and stickers all in the box. Just don’t forget that you will need your own tape.
The instructions are in Japanese but it is very straight forward and visual. No language skills required.
It cost approx 700 yen.
I bought it at a toy shop on Takeshita St. Walk down Takeshita from Harajuku Station, turn right down the first alleyway and walk to the end.
Licca chan Magnet Box Book
Licca chan has been around since the 60s and is Japan’s answer to Barbie.
This is a paper doll-style magnet box book.
It’s retro and cute.
The Amazon link is here.
Yamanote Line Fork
This fork that is shaped like a Yamanote Line train is the cutest.
I bought it on Amazon Japan here.
Tokyo & Kyoto Colouring Posters (from the 100 yen shop!)
Daiso has just started stocking these posters. Aren’t they so cute?
Gatchapon Toys
These are the little toys that are in the little toy dispensers/ vending machines around Japan.
They make for great gifts as you can buy per type of character ( ie. you can buy Disney toys or Pokemon toys etc.)
It’s also a great way to get rid of those coins before you travel home.
There is a great selection available in the basement floor of Alta Department Store in Takeshita St, Harajuku. Another great place for Gatchapon toys is Diversity Department Store in Odaiba.
The hats with the wiggly ears
Okay. This is like the latest thing with toddlers through to high school students in Japan right now. Kids LOVE them.
I know its not a cultural-type gift BUT my kids got soooo excited when I bought them these. Sooo excited.
The ears wiggle when you squeeze the “paws.” It’s just little puffs of air so it doesn’t need batteries and it doesn’t make any noise either.
I bought these on Takeshita St in Harajuku. Many shops sell lots of variations but the biggest animal selection I found was at a little shop … to get there… walk down Takeshita St from Harajuku Station, turn right at the very first alleyway and walk right to the end. They only accept cash.
Hand squishy toy things
And from the same shop in Harajuku, I bought these squishy thingies. Around 300 yen.
My kids love them and I love them because they are like slime but without the mess.
Fold out sticker books
These Hello Kitty and Transport sticker books fold out and turn into little houses. They are our favorite things to give kids on a plane when we have to take-off and there are no televisions to keep them occupied. These are sold in the Sanrio Stores all over Japan and cost a little over 500 yen.
100 yen shoe clips
My friend Alicia has these 100 yen shoe clips from Daiso. For little babies? Genius!!!! No more lost shoes!
Zero Waste Snack Bag
And how about a snack bag? Japan based creative Root & Blossom makes the most beautiful little snack bags and these onigiri (rice ball) patterns get me every time. Follow @root_and_blossom on instagram to see her latest pieces or visit her Etsy shop here.
Disney facemasks
These can be found at the Disney Stores and range between 600-900 yen. So fun, right?
“Barber Bear” Hardcover Reuseable Sticker Book
I bought this one at the Hakone Open Air Museum but have also seen them in most big toy shops and bookstores.
You can buy it on Amazon here.
Themed Kyoto T-shirts from “The Souvenir Store- Elephant” in Kyoto
In Iseya-cho is this printed tee store with these cute t-shirts.
( I also recommend eating at Mumokuteki Vegan cafe across the road too. The ramen is so good.)
“Chef” Chopsticks
How cute are these? And they are from the 100 yen shop (Seria, 100 yen shop.)
Spoon, Fork & Chopstick set
I love buying these for my kids but also for gifts to take to Australia and Scotland for christmas etc. I purchased mine on good old trusty Amazon Japan ( although most big department stores and toys’r’us , akachan hompo & some 300 yen stores also have a good selection for sale. ) If you pop in スプーン フォーク セット 子供 ( even just cut and paste that ) into Amazon, a massive selection pops up.
Bath Balls (often also called お風呂でポン ofuro de pon) are the “latest thing” in our house. They are those bath bombs that disintegrate in the bath water but they also turn the water a bright colour and then, reveal that in the middle of the ball is a small toy or charm like a bouncy ball or a plastic key or little figurine. There are different types of bath balls. So far we have spotted Thomas the Tank Engine, Hello Kitty, Disney Princesses, Toy Story and Mickey Mouse.
I’d much rather treat my kids with one of these than a kinder surprise as there is no food element and also.. it makes them want to jump into the bath straight away in the evening. So everyone wins!
We’ve found them in almost every big toy store and some supermarkets and drugstores. They are also sold on Amazon Japan. They cost around 300 yen each.
Colour with Water Books. This brand only has a few pages but is ideal for use while waiting in restaurants or on planes and trains etc. There are other characters out there too like Hello Kitty and trains and buses.
Obento Hardcover Reusable Sticker book
My daughter loves making up her own Japanese style obento with stickers.
You can buy this book at bookshops and toyshops (and at the Hakone Open Air Museum) or here on Amazon.
Toy Story/Tokyo Story T-shirt
Never before has there been a more appropriate gift for my little ‘Toy Story-crazy’ 2 year old! I bought this in Takeshita Street in Harajuku and it was approximately 1500 yen. So cute. Still available there as I type this ( Sept 2019). You can find it in a shop on the second floor opposite a clothing shop called ACDC Rag.
It is also for sale in the little alley ( market looking alley) near the entrance to Takeshita St ( I hear they have adult sizes there now too.)
Scratch Art Book
This is from Daiso (100 yen shop.) They had Fairies and Animals. The little scratch pen is included in the kit.
Bubble Mixture & Japanese Bubble Wands
I know this can sound like a weird pressie idea as almost everywhere has bubbles. But the bubble wands here are a different shape to what I had growing up. More like a little trumpet… instead of a circle on a stick and (once they stop trying to sucking over blowing….so gross) it’s just so so much easier for little mouths as the “blow” is directed exactly where it needs to be and it also doesn’t have to be such a delicate action either. With these wands my kids were both able to blow their own bubbles before they even turned two years old! (We still need to work on the action of not spilling the bubble mixture during all of the bubble-blowing excitement.)
We often take packets and packets overseas for friends for that reason.
They can be found in toy shops, 100 yen stores, convenience stores and almost always at park food & drink stands. A packet will cost between 100 -300 yen. As it is something your kids may ingest, you can check if the mixture is made in Japan by seeing if it has these characters on the packet : 日本製 (Made in Japan) or you can ask a shop attendant “kore wa nihonsei desu ka?” (Is/Was this made in Japan? )
Mt Fuji Tissue Case
I have personally seen these sold at the Mori Art Museum gift shop and the beautiful gift shop at the National Art Centre in Roppongi (go here for presents – it’s amazing). Using the tissues you can also determine just how much “snow” is on Mt. Fuji by how much tissue is sticking out.
You may want to go to the supermarkets here to stock up on packs of “pocket tissues” to make sure you have access to the correct size overseas. `
These cost about 1500 yen.
Hello Kitty Pet Clinic (Dollhouse with Case included)
I bought this on amazon and it comes with us on every single family holiday now. Mainly because Hello Kitty’s head is the actual case for the Pet Clinic/Dollhouse. I wish I could say that the Pet Clinic is still in it’s original form but …. Daniel Tiger, random stickers and other smaller toys now also reside here … so I’ll use the interior picture from the Amazon website so you can see what it first looked like.
It cost approximately 2000 yen on Amazon Japan. It’s available on US Amazon too but for double the price. It’s also at some Sanrio stores, Toys R Us Japan and small business toy stores.
Shinkansen Socks
Sold at bullet train stations.
Sumo & Mt Fuji Cards/ Memos
The stores Tokyu Hands and Loft have the most spectacular array of stationery options so you’ll find so many treats here. But one recent find were these Mt. Fuji and Sumo wrestler gift cards. Each set was 380 yen.
Character Slap Bracelets that are also Mosquito Repellant
I found these treasures last rainy season. Remember slap bracelets? Well … how about you add a bullet train on top and give them some scented stuff that is meant to also repel mosquitoes?!!! Winning!!!!
I bought these ones at New Days convenience store inside JR Ebisu Station. They were approximately 300 yen each.
Children’s plastic plates, forks, spoons and cups
These plastic bowls and forks etc. have been going strong in our house for almost one year now and they are all from the 100 yen shop! (Cheeky confession: they aren’t supposed to …but they have still lived through many a dishwasher cycle.)
Hello Kitty Vending Machine Toy
Both my little girl and little boy are crazy for this toy. Lots of small pieces so watch little children with them – and for that same reason of small pieces we keep buying it over and over because it’s so cheap to replace those runaway cans and coins.
It’s available on Amazon Japan, Toys’R’Us Japan and also in larger Sanrio Stores.
Snoopy Bus (Double-Decker) Lunch Box
This is what my little boy uses as his lunchbox at nursery school. It’s so so cute.
I bought this at the Sanrio Store in Ginza.
Original Kewpie Doll
This doll now frequents our bathtime play although I had grand plans of keeping her as a collectors’ item. I had one of these when I was small too. So lovely and retro, yes?
I mainly bought one because Japanese passers-by used to tell me that my little boy looked like a kewpie doll.
Tomica Model 7-Eleven
This has lots of pieces to put together and stickers to apply so probably best for 4+ but it’s sooo teeny and cute. The doors to the store open with a push of a button too.
It’s in most large toy stores here and also on Amazon Japan for approx 3000 yen.
Tomica (Japan Only) Toy Cars
We have a few of these. Japanese buses and delivery vans. My favourite is the Yamazaki Bread Delivery van. It looks exactly the same as the van you see driving all around Tokyo. I found this one on Amazon for 700 yen but can also be found in all of the big toy stores.
Bullet Train Shirts
At Odakyu department store in Shinjuku, I also recommend checking out these little bullet train and local train shirts (approx 1700 yen) in the children’s clothing department. They have been created by a Japanese designer for a company called Hungry Heart and make for great pressies! (sizes range from 90cm , up to 2 years old, to 130cm , up to 6 years old.) Sizes run a little small – especially for my giant baby- so go up a size or two.
Fake 100 yen lego
We lose a piece every time we leave the house but because it is so cheap we don’t care and we also allow kids to take it in the bath. They love it!
Which store? Seria , 100 yen shop ( have also spotted in Daiso)
Hello Kitty Cookies
These are packaged up beautifully and are approximately 250 yen (sold as a single cookie) from It’s Demo drug & beauty stores (all over Japan)
Brio Bullet Train Toy
Brio make a Japanese bullet train that fits on almost all wooden toy train tracks. These make for fantastic souvenirs. I’ve seen them at most major toy stores but I have, personally, bought some at Hakuhinkan in Ginza and Takashimaya Department Store in Shinjuku.
100 yen Supermarket Sticker Book
A cheap little stocking-filler type gift is a sticker book like this one from the 100 yen store.
The inside of the “book” are supermarket shelves and the stickers are food to be placed on the shelves or in the refridgerator section.
I bought this particular book at a 100 yen store called “Seria.” There are more than 50 stores in Tokyo. See here for locations.
Other treasures for kids that I have discovered inside Daiso, Decks Department Store in Odaiba are:
Masks
Insulated Snack Bags
Ok…and now I’ll stop talking about 100 yen items and continue with the rest of the list.
Convenience Store Toy Set
I bought this for my kiddies and they are just crazy for it. Especially serving up the hot chips and putting the ice-creams etc back in the freezer. The scanner is also a big hit as it runs through around 3 prices in Japanese.
The detail is amazing.
I bought ours on Amazon Japan for 2,500 yen on sale. I’ve also seen it at Toys R Us Japan.
Toy Story Face Towels / Face Washers
I purchased this from an adorable baby shop in Roppongi Hills.
Tomica (car-shaped) Macaroni
Tomica is a Japanese brand of toy cars. I was surprised to see that they also selling Tomica Macaroni in their store inside Tokyo Station (in “Character Street”.) Approximately 300 yen.
Baby Quiet Book ” Nihon no Gohan” (Japanese Meals)
These quiet books can be stroller accessories and they also make great gifts for people who travel on planes with children. Every page has a different texture and feels smooth or makes a crunchy noise.
I found this one at Toys ‘R’ Us but the Amazon Japan link is also here.
Takara Tomy Disney Vending Machine
This is a present that we just bought my little boy for his 3rd birthday.
It’s a little Disney Vending Machine and it can be used as a talking vendine machine (English and Japanese settings) or a simple quiz – ie. “Choose a square .” etc.
For the English settings…it’s important to stress that it is made for Japanese children studying English so it speaks Japanese for a moment (just saying “Let’s play in English!”) but then the game and the vending machine option speak English. It’s also cool how it speaks Japanese though and it’s not tricky Japanese either… so would still be fine for a child who doesn’t understand any of the language at all.
It’s available at the toy shops but it is only on Amazon in Japanese. So… if you’re looking to buy on Amazon… copy and paste this into the search bar. 自動販売機 ディズニー おもちゃ
Magic Cherry Blossom Tree
Do you remember these magic trees? I used to have the white magic trees when I was little.
But I found a cherry blossom version – which makes a great souvenir.
These are for kids once they are old enough to not try and eat the product.
I found this in LAOX inside Decks, Odaiba.
1. Open up the “tree” and place it on the base tray.
2. Separate all of the branches so that they all stick out in different directions
3. Pour the provided “magic water” in the tray for the tree trunk to absorb/soak up.
4. The tree should begin to bloom within 1-2 hours. Avoid touching the flowers as they fall off easily.
5. The room temperature can effect the final result. (Ideally between 15-25 degrees.) The tree is complete when all of the magic water has been absorbed and the tree trunk and branches are dry.
6. The cherry blossom tree will last for approximately 30 days. Keep indoors.
Summary of the listed warnings:
Make sure children don’t touch their eyes if they accidentally put their fingers in the magic water. If they do, rinse immediately and continue to rinse for 15 minutes.
Don’t eat the magic water.
How cute is this Pancake Pan? Made in Japan. They also had Mickey and Pluto.
I found this at Kiddyland in Harajuku. I’ve also spotted these in a character goods store called Totty in Diver City, Odaiba.
Japanese vintage colouring books
These are great gifts for kids AND adults.
I bought this at the Edo Open Air Museum gift shop, but I also have seen them in bookshops. But cut and paste this きいちのぬりえ into Amazon Japan and you’ll see a wide range of these series of colouring books. Most of them are under 800 yen too!
Japanese baby carriers
It makes me question why baby carriers aren’t available in beautiful colours around the rest of the world. Isn’t this just so pretty?
This purple option below is by a company called Sunbeach. There are lots of options on Rakuten (online) or you can see a selection for yourself in Akachan Hompo baby stores or a smaller selection in Toys’R’Us.
Duffy is a reasonably new disney character. Apparently Mickey’s teddybear …(?) Duffy is for sale in some other Disney’s around the world but in Japan, Duffy has a cult following. In Japan, Duffy is only for sale in Tokyo DisneySea and they Duffy gift stores are wall-to-wall with Duffy fans. I have to admit that my family also love the teddybear too and even have become properly Japanese and invested in the Duffy bag/backpack.
The bag is around 4000 yen and the Teddy Bear is closer to 2500 yen.If you venture to Disney Sea, my other tips for the themepark are here.
Tokyo Disneyland outfit for Barbie
For another Tokyo Disneyland gift this outfit for a Barbie.
My little girl chose this at Toy Station (toy store near the Monsters Inc. ride at Tokyo Disneyland.)
If you’ve been to Tokyo Disneyland, you’ll know that this outfit is practically a Disneyland uniform.
These are more expensive than the original options but I think it is worth it for a cute little gift. They can be blown up again and again and it doesn’t matter if your little one squishes it.
With ours my kids were most excited when I taped a thin sewing thread to the top so it could be carried around like a string puppet.
These can be found at most supermarkets and convenience stores. They cost between 50-70 yen each.
Not sure who Anpanman is? I’ve got a cheatsheet here.
This paper can stick to the bathroom wall and Muji also sell the bath time pens.
The paper can be turned up side down so that kids can draw an underwater scene or an above water scene.
The paper and the pen sets are sold separately and each cost 990 yen.
Popcorn containers from Disney
I think that the popcorn containers from Disney make fantastic gifts (although you will need to fill them with clothing to make it worth your while shoving it into the suitcase.) Each popcorn stand sells different kinds of containers ( I mean, different characters and shapes etc.) In Japan, collecting these babies is SERIOUS business. They are all produced for a limited time only – which is a genius idea when it comes to producing a sense of urgency when it comes to sales.
The two pictured below were purchased at DisneySea. They weren’t cheap – around 2500 yen each – BUT if you buy them to use right away – and you want popcorn refill several times over at Disney…. the refills are very cheap… but you still need to buy the bucket first.
I think that they are adorable and make for beautiful keepsakes.
On a weekend or a movie night – I buy a bag of popcorn or microwave popcorn and the kids bring the containers out again and sit it on their laps throughout the whole film.
“Paper Dolls” Fashion Sticker Book
I’ve seen these sold in most toy and bookstores (most recently spotted on the 9th floor of Takashimaya) but I bought this copy at the gift shop at Hakone Open Air Museum.
The attention to detail on the stickers/vintage-inspired drawings is just stunning. I may have had a little play with a few pages all by myself.
If you’d rather just grab one on Amazon Japan, the link is here.
Disney version of Polly Pockets
I bought these at the Disney Ambassador Hotel lobby Disney store. They were 1500 yen each.
Magic Fishing Fish
These bath toys are so cute and my little guy was given them as a gift.
You know how some ‘colour changing’ toys don’t really change colour? They sort of change shade of colour? But these really work and my kids LOVE these in the bath. They keep a little bowl of cold water next to the bath so they can dip them between hot and cold all the time.
If you’re looking for them on Amazon, copy まほうのさかなつり or Pilot Ink into the Amazon search bar.
Mon Loire Leaf Chocolates
It’s might seem like a weird recommendation if you’re not a bit crafty or artsy, like me.
A friend brought these to my house for a playdate and I immediately wanted to make cupcakes to decorate! So, the following day… my daughter and I did just that.
The chocolates come in little individual bunches inside the box (maybe 8 chocolate leaves per box.) They are soooo cute.
I will be gifting these to friends asap. Mon Loire is all over Japan – if you’re looking in Tokyo they are in Ginza, Azabu-Juban, Shinjuku etc…
Adult Colouring Books
I can’t work out if this colouring book is meant for children or adults but my daughter and I are in love.
I bought this copy at the newsagency in Hiroo called OKUMOTO IROHA-DO. For details and other things to do in Hiroo, see my post here.
But it is also for sale on Amazon Japan here.
Licca chan shop play sets
Licca chan has been around since the 60s and is Japan’s answer to Barbie.
My little girl loves these Baskin and Robbins （FYI Baskin & Robbins is called 31 here …as in 31 flavours) & Mister Donuts sets (very small pieces so not good for toddlers. )
Toy Story Alien Space Crane
This is the cutest and the aliens ” speak” in Japanese as you try to catch them. They are for sale in Toys R Us and Amazon Japan.
