No trip to Japan is complete without a few sips (or bottles) of sake, a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. Buying a bottle of sake—whether a fancy one in a sake brewery or at the airport on your way home—is totally worth your yen. 

Whether it’s your first time in Japan or your sixth, you can’t miss out on Japan’s specialty KitKats. Because the name “KitKat” sounds like “kitto katsu”, a Japanese phrase for wishing good luck, the KitKat bar is one of the most popular candies in Japan. From green tea to strawberry and espresso, stores carry hundreds of different flavors of the brand on their shelves year-round. 

To really experience Japan like a local, purchase a name stamp (hanko) and some ink—it’s how everyone in Japan signs their names! Used in Japan since 57 CE, hanko are handmade and personalized just for you, the perfect way to support local businesses while immersing yourself in Japanese cultural history. 

The kimono is probably the best-known Japanese garb and is worn by locals and tourists alike. Made for both men and women, kimonos are available in may of Japan’s popular places to go, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto (which happens to be Japan’s geisha capital, and thus the perfect place to see stunning kimonos). 

Japanese vending machines are unlike anything you’d find in America. Toys, games, hot foods, and even underwear pop out of Japan’s machines, ideal for random gifts with a good story to tell.

Vending machines are pretty much on every corner in Japan’s best places to visit, neighborhoods, and train stations. Seriously. There are about five million vending machines in Japan. 

When it comes to foods to bring home from Japan, you can’t go wrong with wagashi candies. These colorful rice flour candies are super-sweet morsels of bean paste and sticky rice, shaped like fanciful flowers and plants. Share them with everyone back at home—or keep them all for yourself.

Locals rave about Japan’s cosmetics industry—they highly recommend treating yourself to some of the best makeup, skincare, and hair products in the world. Budget travelers in Japan will be happy to know that there’s no need to spend crazy money on the latest and greatest products.

Save money with local suggestions—our trip planners suggest shopping at conbini (convenience) stores like 7-11 or Lawson. 

Sensu—Japanese folding hand fans—are ancient Japanese accessories, weapons, and art pieces (talk about a multi-purpose tool!). Locals say you can find handmade sensus almost anywhere you go in Japan.

Green tea is an incredibly popular drink in Japan, and you’ll encounter different flavors depending on where and when you go to Japan. Our locals in Japan say there's tons of places to find unique green tea treats and candies—if you know where to look. 

And speaking of tea...Japanese tea sets make for a lovely souvenir. Complete with handmade whisks and glazed teacups, they're classic and beautiful! 

In any case, you'll fall so deeply in love with tea while visiting Japan that you’ll want to keep making the best tea possible at home. 

Japan is home to some of the world’s best cookware, but it's their knife-making expertise that really cuts to the point. Traditional Japanese chefs’ knives are beautifully-crafted but can be a little pricey (like $200+). (If you’d rather just watch a Japanese chef wield such a knife, locals suggest checking out these incredible Japan foodie destinations.)

If you’re looking for some games and toys to bring home for kids and adults alike, take a gander at kendama, traditional Japanese toys that have been around for ages. A kendama (Japanese for “sword and ball”) is similar to a yo-yo but is much more challenging and fun. Seeing kendama masters at work is a total must-do in Japan.  

From the biwa (a traditional lute) to the koto (a type of string instrument), Japanese musical instruments provide beautiful and unique sounds that can’t be found anywhere else.

If you're looking to get off the beaten path in Japan, see what locals say about where you can catch a koto performance. 

Japan’s iconic randoseru backpacks might look like they’re just for kids, but they’re seriously a must-have accessory. Very kawaii (cute) and practical, randoseru allow you to make a fashion statement in Japan and beyond.

Locals in Japan gave us a great Tokyo travel tip: buy a randoseru at one of the city’s 100-yen stores, where these chic backpacks are inexpensive and super cute. 

Guides to Japan consistently rave about toe socks (tabi)—and our local trip planners confirm they're a lot of fun. Locals say you can find tabi at almost any 100-yen store, department store, or marketplace. Not only are toe socks affordable and adorable—they’re also worn by Japanese rickshaw drivers, so you know they’re the real deal. 

Japan could very well be the geek capital of the world, with Tokyo as its proud capital. The nerdiest places in Tokyo inevitably sell anime, manga, toys, and action figures geared to the otakus of this world. Even if you’re not a huge fan, you’ll definitely want to catch a glimpse of anime culture, which has taken the world by storm. 

For traditional, meaningful, and spiritual gifts to give, go to a Shinto shrine to find omamori, Japanese charms used for prayer. If checking out a shrine is already on your Japan itinerary, get an omamori as a gift for your friends back at home.

Chopsticks in Japan are beautiful and artistic. Depending on where you go in Japan, you’ll be able to find chopsticks unique to certain places.