Alright, so everyone gets to have shallow, materialistic moments, and here comes mine.
This post is an ode to a friend and American expatriate in Japan, who, no sooner than an hour after we meet, asks this very question:
"So, what do you buy when you come here?"
Prior to this, I had never given much thought to what I typically buy abroad. The truth of it is, no one has ever asked me, so I figured it wasn't an interesting topic. I also thought it was strange that this question came from a fellow American, for whom Japan is also an exotic destination.
Come to think of it, I am also curious about what people buy on their vacations. I am personally not into typical touristy crap (like those bags and shirts that have the name of the city in a stylized font printed on them a million times). I certainly don't want a house full of mugs and T-shirts with the flag of every country. I'm also not interested in cheesy souvenirs (like sombreros from Mexico, or wooden clogs from Sweden).
I would rather buy functional things, that are 1. stylish, 2. practical, 3. not necessarily available where I live, and 4. don't immediately look like I bought them at a souvenir shop.
Now, to get to the question, what do I buy in Japan?
1. Cellphone Charms
Cellphone charms are ubiquitous in Japan. Every cellphone or cellphone cover is designed to hold at least a dozen of these completely useless trinkets. At one point I had so many charms hanging from my phone that I could barely lift it. I eventually got sick of these charms getting tangled up with everything else in my purse, so I took them all off.
When I traveled around Japan on some notably long trips in 2008 and 2010, I bought charms (or was given charms) in every city.
1. Izumo Taisha 2.Totttori camel 3.Kyoto Inari 4. Hokkaido grapes 5.Hiroshima maple |
1. Osaka takoyaki 2. Fukuoka mentaiko 3. Maizuru Kewpie 4. Tokyo Icecream city |
2. Clothes from Uniqlo
Every time I got to Japan I have to be sure to stop at Uniqlo. Even the stores in American do nothing to appease me. The Japanese product in Japan way cooler. This time I bought a Lulu Guinness x Uniqlo collaboration T shirt. (See the shirt in action).
3. Vintage Clothes
Okay, this is kind of weird. It is a known fact that almost 100% of the vintage clothing in Japan comes from the U.S.. So, why would any American fly to Japan to buy used American clothes?
Easy: Japan has all the good stuff. Doesn't that explain why all the vintage clothing in the states sucks? I swear the Japanese buyers clean out the shops and take the good stuff to Japan before any Americans even have a chance to rummage through it.
Easy: Japan has all the good stuff. Doesn't that explain why all the vintage clothing in the states sucks? I swear the Japanese buyers clean out the shops and take the good stuff to Japan before any Americans even have a chance to rummage through it.
I also found a beautiful scarf for $2 in the bottom of a sale bin.
4. Streetwear magazines
5. Beauty products
Yes, they really are better in Japan. They work better, they smell better, and the packaging is cuter. What can I say? I am a girl after all.
From left to right: Make up remover, 2 types of facial moisturizer, make up wash, and body wash.
6. Kimonos
Alright, so I know this sounds like the cheesy tourist thing to buy, but I am entitled to one vice, right? My only saving grace is that at least I don't buy kimonos from souvenir shops, I actually buy them from antique stores. I found this lovely gem at a flea market in Harajuku. It reminds me of the designer Tsumori Chisato, and I am planning on wearing it over a white blouse and denim shorts.
7. Starbucks tumblers
This tumbler I bought in Kyoto a few years ago when I was there for a grand total of two hours. There's a long and tiresome story that answers the question as to why I was in Kyoto for such a time, and I may address that in another post someday.But for now, behold this awesome tumbler which is a souvenir of my journey!
8. Snacks!
Thanks! I especially liked the tumblers.
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