Ask HN: What should I buy in Japan?
About 15 years ago I went to Japan. There I bought some simple precision screw drivers on a whim that I still use regularly. They were inexpensive but seem very well made and have held up great. I’m going back soon and need some ideas for other quality small tools or household items.
35 comments
You don't say where you are going, but for shopping, I'll assume it's Tokyo.
You might get more out of it by focusing on where to shop rather than what to buy. Tokyo used to have many interesting small shops, the way other major cities did before online shopping. Going around to brick & mortar shops now is time consuming and mostly not worth it if you know what you want, because the selection is so much better online. For many things, there will be importers operating in your country. For example, www.jetpens.com does a great job bringing less expensive stationery items into the USA.
I would focus on the unique shopping experiences to be had in Tokyo. If you are into fountain pens, Shosaikan[1] should be near the top of your list. This thread covers more locations.[2]
For housewares and small tools, the best browsing is Hands (formerly Tokyu Hands). I love the aesthetics of Japanese home and office goods, but the more interesting things are generally not exported. I have many things that were inexpensive but unique and very nice to have. Just one example, the Japanese "pipe pillow".[3]
[1] https://tokyostationpens.com/2020/04/21/shosaikan-a-virtual-...
[2] https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/368781-founta...
[3] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Pipe_Pillow...
You might get more out of it by focusing on where to shop rather than what to buy. Tokyo used to have many interesting small shops, the way other major cities did before online shopping. Going around to brick & mortar shops now is time consuming and mostly not worth it if you know what you want, because the selection is so much better online. For many things, there will be importers operating in your country. For example, www.jetpens.com does a great job bringing less expensive stationery items into the USA.
I would focus on the unique shopping experiences to be had in Tokyo. If you are into fountain pens, Shosaikan[1] should be near the top of your list. This thread covers more locations.[2]
For housewares and small tools, the best browsing is Hands (formerly Tokyu Hands). I love the aesthetics of Japanese home and office goods, but the more interesting things are generally not exported. I have many things that were inexpensive but unique and very nice to have. Just one example, the Japanese "pipe pillow".[3]
[1] https://tokyostationpens.com/2020/04/21/shosaikan-a-virtual-...
[2] https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/368781-founta...
[3] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Pipe_Pillow...
* Stationary at places like Itoya in Ginza (if that counts as tools).
* Go to Yodabashi camera and just have a look around and you will find things you suddenly _need_. I bought an alarm clock and had literally hundreds to choose from.
* Nail clippers, tweezers, etc. you can get from just a general drug store are all very high quality (or so packaging showing them being hand sharpened leads me to believe).
Itoya is already on my list. I love fountain pens (or rather the inks) and want to get a few.
Oh man, Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera were my favorite places to browse! So many cool gadgets. Treat it like a casino, go in with a set dollar amount you're willing to lose, or else you'll keep spending :)
This came up on reddit recently
Hand tools.
Ratchets: Ko-ken. KTC. Tone.
Sockets: Ko-ken, KTC
Wrenches. KTC. Asahi, Top, Lobtex
Pliers: Tsunoda, IPS, Engineer Screwdriver: Vessel, Anex.
Fountain pen. They make some of the best in the world, and if you treat it right it will last your whole life. I've got one that's almost 15 years old. I fill it when it's empty and it's the only pen I use.
From an environmental stand it's great because it's reusable.
From a writing stand it's an amazing feel every time I write.
From an environmental stand it's great because it's reusable.
From a writing stand it's an amazing feel every time I write.
When I went I wanted to buy souvenirs that weren't just cute and sat on a shelf so I focused on low cost but cute homeware.
It brings me so much happiness each time I use my daiso rice scoop or getting a tealight out of the bag I bought my fountain pen in! and ofc chopsticks because they really do the best ones.
If your buying pens don't forget to stock up on ink!
If I'd had more money at the time I would have bought better quality but the fact that some things were from the 100y store and are still better quality than stuff bought here says a lot!
It brings me so much happiness each time I use my daiso rice scoop or getting a tealight out of the bag I bought my fountain pen in! and ofc chopsticks because they really do the best ones.
If your buying pens don't forget to stock up on ink!
If I'd had more money at the time I would have bought better quality but the fact that some things were from the 100y store and are still better quality than stuff bought here says a lot!
There is a Muji still in Portland if you need ink for their pens at least. I’m really surprised it’s still there actually.
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Not a household item so much. But wood block prints. There are stores where you can browse thousands of them, many hidden gems. Perfect for framing and lighting up a wall.
Clothes at Uniqlo, the cotton shirts and hoodies are superb
Also the second-hand clothing stores are just incredible to peruse
Also the second-hand clothing stores are just incredible to peruse
Yup went to uniqlo while in Kyoto and bought some pants.
They're my favorite pants now
They're my favorite pants now
Is it better than Uniqlo in other counties? Uniqlo in Australia is really good.
I think the selection is about the same, but it's cheaper.
My uncle got back from a trip to Japan a couple of months ago and they brought me back a very nice blue steel sontaku knife (I hope I spelled that right!)
They’re pricy, but it’ll last forever and be wicked sharp. You’ll need it for when you want to prepare delicious meals to remind yourself of the trip ;)
They’re pricy, but it’ll last forever and be wicked sharp. You’ll need it for when you want to prepare delicious meals to remind yourself of the trip ;)
For anyone looking at knives (and other culinary tools), have a look at Kappabashi in Tokyo. There's a lot of stores there.
I remember my Dad raving about the good quality and cheap price of a Japanese dial micrometer he had bought in the 1970s when Japanese products had a poor reputation in general in the west rather like everything Temu sells has now.
Kitchen knives. Japan still has quite a few small, independent knife factories that produce functional works of art you can use to make dinner. Find a specialty knife store in a major city to get the best selection.
lacquer
Kyoto
Teramachi Main Shop
just go there
https://www.zohiko.co.jp/global/en/
Gorgeous. I’ll definitely stop by when in Kyoto.
Candy... seriously... Japan has some of the best candy in the world.
Also, just about anything made by Mitutoyo is very good quality if not counterfeit.
There is also the Pokémon Center buildings toy store for rare gifts.
Have fun, =3
Also, just about anything made by Mitutoyo is very good quality if not counterfeit.
There is also the Pokémon Center buildings toy store for rare gifts.
Have fun, =3
If you're into cooking a Japanese steel knife
To refine the question ~ where do japans most notable products originate from, so we can visit the source?
Lightweight umbrellas.
I hear the scissors made there are usually pretty great.
Whisky.
Japanese cameras from the 1960s.