My friends and I have come to the conclusion that a great gift is something someone wants but can’t justify buying for themselves—the “would-be-nice” items in life. Here we have curated a list of some of these “would-be-nice”s.
Maybe your friends or family have just moved to Tokyo (or anywhere, for that matter), or maybe they’ve been living somewhere for a while. Whether it’s Christmas, a birthday, or simply a housewarming, we hope our Gift Guide will inspire you to find the perfect present for a loved one. Gift-buying can be tricky, and we’re happy to do the legwork for you. Our list is filled with finishing-touch items for friends who’ve just settled into a new place, little luxuries to make every day better, and some of the finer things in life—little moments that bring a touch of opulence to the everyday.
We’ve tiered the pricing, so there’s something for every budget. If you just so happen to live with someone you need to give a gift to, feel free to justify the more expensive purchases, because its technically for you too.
~$50 (¥7,000) Gifts
Fruit Gift Set ~¥5,000
Make sure your friends get a healthy dose of vitamins during the dark days at the end of the year, buy them fruit. The more beautifully packaged the better! You can get this from anywhere, order online, or get it delivered from your favourite bougie department store to show them you really care.
Kitowa Bois de Yuzu Bathsalts ¥5,940
How can you get that relaxing yuzu bath experience without wasting perfectly good yuzus? Yuzu bath salts! These Bois de Yuzu salts are excellent—not only because they’re made in Japan but because they balance the citrusy aroma of yuzu with the earthiness of sandalwood, creating a calming and relaxing scent. Kitowa also has a great selection of soaps, perfumes, candles, and incense, so if bath salts aren’t quite right, check out their other products.
Optaum Pillow Mist ¥3,410
Though there are a few scents available, Universe Dream is a personal favorite for its soothing lavender notes. A couple of spritzes over pillows before bedtime create an instant atmosphere of calm. Whether you struggle with sleep or not, this spray helps create a peaceful aura in your bedroom. Optatum also has gift sets under ¥5,000!
Kitagawa Hanbee Tea Tasting Set ¥7,980
A beautifully designed tea-tasting set for the tea aficionado in your life. It includes Japanese-style black tea, two types of green tea, oolong tea, and roasted green tea, all packaged in beautifully sealed tins. As decorative as it is functional, this is a gift that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Hobonichi Diary ¥2,970~¥9,130
Hobonichi diaries are a cult classic for a reason. They’re neutral enough to be endlessly customizable for the devout bullet journaler, but also structured enough to provide a minimalist way to organize or reflect. With new collaborations every year, these diaries are highly collectible. Here are a couple of our favorites.
Cold Sake Cup Set ¥7,460
Whether your recipient is already a sake enthusiast or you’re introducing them to it, this beautiful sake set by Ito Yamai Ceramics from Gifu Prefecture is a great starting point. While this set is not meant for hot sake, that’s just an excuse to buy more gorgeous sake-ware.
Candle ¥4,150
A candle that smell like a winter forest? Better yet, it’s a small batch company specialising in essential oils? Fantastic. For friends and family already deep in the world of aromatherapy and all its benefits, or for friends and family you’re attempting to foist it upon, this is a great smelling gift wither way. We recommend checking out ChooseBase’s physical store in Shibuya for lots of unique and interesting knickknacks that make fantastic gifts.
Chopstick rest ¥3,300
Add a touch of luxury to mealtimes with these delicate crane chopstick rests. Made in Fukushima by local artisans, they’re small and lightweight enough to send abroad but beautiful enough to be treasured as a gift.
London Sock Exchange Sushi Socks ~¥6,000
I don’t think it’s just me who, with the years, has come to acknowledge the importance of socks as a gift. Socks with a sense of humour are always nice too, and these sushi socks are a great gift. Their Queen (the band – not the monarch) socks are another favourite in the office.
$100~$200 (¥15,000~30,000) Gifts
Tekla Bath Robe ¥30,000
In these colder months, nothing beats a cozy bathrobe when you’re relaxing in your Tokyo apartment. Tekla may have made its name as a pajama brand, but they also offer plenty of classic striped robes. The cotton terry fabric makes it functional both as a bath and house robe—versatile and cozy.
Balmuda Moon Kettle ¥27,500
For the tea enthusiast in your life, why settle for any kettle when you could have the sculptural Moon Kettle from Balmuda? This kettle can be programmed to specific temperatures, bringing out the best flavors of every type of tea. Its round handle makes it as much a decorative piece as it is a practical addition to any home.
Edo-Kiriko Cups ¥28,600
These colourful cups are made using traditional Edo-period techniques and bring a little beauty into the everyday. We’ve provided one example, but there are so many incredible artisans out there, a search for Edo-Kiriko will find you even more beautiful examples.
Shoe tree ¥23,100
Sometime the best gifts are the ones we don’t realise we need. These shoe trees, both in larger and smaller sizes, are a great way to compliment a gift of shoes, or simply as a thoughtful addition for a friend who doesn’t know any better.
Coffee Table Book ¥10,100~¥17,300
What’s the purpose of a coffee table book if not to give your guests something to read while you pop to the bathroom? We’ve collected a few titles perfect for the Japanophile or design enthusiast in your life.
UGG house slippers ¥15,000~¥20,000
A decade after their infamous debut, UGG has made a comeback. While there are outdoor-friendly options, UGG also makes incredibly warm and comfortable house slippers.
$200~$500 (¥30,000~¥80,000) Gifts
Roomba ¥60,000
Give your messiest friend the gift of a clean apartment. No further comment.
Kinujo Hairdryer ¥35,200
You can’t go wrong with upgrading an item someone uses frequently. Whether their current one is getting old or simply not up to par, the Kinujo hairdryer is an excellent option. Lightweight and perfect for travel, it features three settings for various hair and scalp needs, and it’s proudly made in Japan.
Vermicular Rice Pot ¥89,980
Vermicular is a brand founded by two brothers in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Their high-quality cookware comes with lifetime support, a true testament to its durability. Their limited edition premium black line would look sleek in any kitchen. This five-cup rice pot is automatic, making cooking perfect rice easy every time.
Over $500 (¥80,000) Gifts
Aladdin Marca Projector ¥149,800
There’s a kind of magic to a projector that TVs just can’t capture. This projector comes with all the capabilities you might want from a projector, and more. Not only does it use a Dolby speaker, but it can be used right up against the wall, making it ideal for use in smaller Tokyo spaces.
B&O Beosound A5 Speaker ¥219,900~¥359,900
As the adage goes, if art is how we decorate space, then music is how we decorate time, then the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 speaker does both. It is at once beautifully designed, easy to use, and has the incredible sound quality that B&O is known for. The limited cranberry red colour caught our eye, but you can’t go wrong with any of their classic designs.
