All About Japan

17 (Non-Otaku) Presents to Buy a Japan Fan

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17 (Non-Otaku) Presents to Buy a Japan Fan

Looking for something for that Japan-fan who's already got it all? Take a dip into some both traditional and atypical items you can order from Japan—they probably don't have any of these!

1. Tatami Wallet

1. Tatami Wallet

Tatami mats are handmade straw mats that are traditionally used as flooring in Japan. This tatami wallet uses a combination of classic Japanese patterns and gold coloration to create a sense of wealth to go with the wealth in your pocket. Multiple patterns available.

2. Urushi Bowl

2. Urushi Bowl

Urushi, or Japanese lacquer, was historically produced in the Echizen region of Japan, located in the north of what's now Fukui Prefecture. This particular urushi bowl was produced by an urushi artist who has also contributed to maintaining cultural assets in Kyoto.

3. Cat Tatami

3. Cat Tatami

Want tatami for your home? How about for your cat? This hexagonal tatami mat is made exclusively for cats. Really! They just seem to want to sit on it when they see it!

4. Tokyo Treat Boxes

4. Tokyo Treat Boxes

Choose from one of three Tokyo Treat Boxes, including five to seven, eight to 12 or 16 to 18 full-sized snacks and a drink. Each box contains popular Japanese snacks that are difficult to acquire overseas, such as Pocky, special Kit Kats, potato chips and limited-edition snacks.

• 254 Movefast. LLC A TokyoTreat Premium Box
• 254 Movefast. LLC B TokyoTreat Regular Box
• 254 Movefast. LLC C TokyoTreat Small Box

5. Kanji Necklace

5. Kanji Necklace

Get your name translated into kanji and immortalized on a necklace! You'll be presented with three meaning options to choose from. For example, the name Bob could be 暴武, which means “Wild Samurai,” or 慕夫, which means “Beloved Husband.” Three sizes also available. Check out more details here!

• 107 dozen A KANJI necklace S size
• 107 dozen B KANJI necklace M size
• 107 dozen C KANJI necklace L size

6. Echizen Washi

6. Echizen Washi

Echizen Washi is made from paper mulberry using techniques dating back some 1,500 years. This luxury Japanese paper is highly valued for use in printing and art.

7. Vectory Game

7. Vectory Game

This Japanese-made luxury board game is geared for adults. The board and pieces have been carefully crafted using traditional Japanese techniques and materials, yet anyone can learn the rules of this one-on-one game in just three minutes!

8. YumeTwins Box

8. YumeTwins Box

Okay, we do have one otaku item: YumeTwins is a monthly released product that includes cute Japanese novelty items and character goodies. The YumeTwins box includes one plushie, four character-based goods and a YumeTwins original booklet. The box is produced in collaboration with original manufacturers, including in-demand character items and authentic Japanese goods like chopsticks and folding fans.

9. Wafu Wine Glasses

9. Wafu Wine Glasses

These wine glasses are actually made for drinking Japanese sake. The shape is reminiscent of the image of rice, designed to release the aroma of any sake inside. The 6-millimeter stem is the ultimate in refined porcelain.

• Rice wine glass for SAKE hanakarakusa (Tashirotoukiten)
• Rice wine glass for SAKE (Tashirotoukiten)

10. Washi Clothes

10. Washi Clothes

The "Japanese Paper Shijiraori Samue" is 21st-century relaxation wear made from yarn made out of traditional Japanese paper (washi). Including a top and leggings, it combines tradition with modernity to create a high-quality, environmentally friendly material.

11. Love Ribbon

11. Love Ribbon

This "Love Ribbon" is fashioned into letters that are invisible at first glance. The letters reveal themselves in the form of a shadow once hit by light from a certain angle, exhibiting the idea that what is truly important will not change.

12. Wakame Seaweed Noodles

12. Wakame Seaweed Noodles

Seaweed noodles are known for their unique, slippery feel and jade color. These noodles are made using Japanese domestic wheat flour and wakame seaweed from Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea. Available in thick and thin varieties, the thin noodles take 90 seconds to cook, while the thick ones take eight to nine minutes. Soup sold separately.

• Seaweed noodle thick (Inoue Syoten limited company)
• Seaweed noodle thin (Inoue Syoten limited company)

13. Brass Knuckles Mug

13. Brass Knuckles Mug

This handy brass knuckles mug is not to be used for fighting! But it is very easy to hold with your fingers.

14. Crest Cuff Links

14. Crest Cuff Links

These cuff links have been created by a graphic designer specializing in research on family crests. Make the historical family crests of Japan a part of your modern-day fashion!

15. Wooden Dinosaur Puzzle

15. Wooden Dinosaur Puzzle

This Japanese wooden puzzle wakes use of the same techniques used in construction of temples and shrines in Horyu-ji, Nara—among the olden wooden buildings in the world! Custom-made orders are also accepted.

16. Samurai Ribbon

16. Samurai Ribbon

Sanada-himo is a traditional Japanese fabric named after the Sanada samurai clan. It was used to decorate armor and secure important items, for women's kimono and handbags, and for wrapping fragile items and gifts. Today, it's still used for wrapping and decoration—great for shoes, clothes, bags, hair decorations and more!

17. Art Tenugui

17. Art Tenugui

Tenugui (手ぬぐい, literally "hand wipe") are rectangular cotton towels traditionally used for wiping your hands, dabbing sweat off your brow, or wrapping around your head. However, they also have aesthetic appeal, and artistically designed tenugui can make very cute home decorations! Whether the design be modern or traditional, it's still a tenugui!

• ART TENUGUI (ART SOU Co., Ltd.)
• ART TENUGUI Kabuki Costume・Dojoji (ART SOU Co., Ltd.)
• ART TENUGUI Many Cats" (ART SOU Co., Ltd.)