Matcha Tea Set
Matcha has been an important part of Japanese art and culture since the 1100s. It originally was enjoyed as a beverage made during traditional tea ceremonies, but has now grown into a popular beverage enjoyed by all across the world. The best place that we found to buy matcha tea sets was in Kyoto, Japan. Remember to purchase ceremonial matcha powder, not culinary matcha powder.
A full matcha tea set would include the matcha tea bowl, bamboo spoon, matcha container, whisk & ceremonial matcha powder.
Custom Chopsticks
Custom chopsticks are a great and affordable gift to bring back from Japan. There are many souvenir chopstick shops in all cities around Japan. Most places will engrave your name in English or Japanese Characters for free. Best part about this gift is that it will absolutely fit into your bag for your journey home!
Suntory Whisky
When we were in Kyoto, we took a tour of the Yamazaki Suntory Distillery. While we were there we purchased a gift of whisky for our friends. If you can find it in Japan, get their Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky. It’s a very rare bottle to find, but 100% buy it if you see it! To make a full gift set we bought a whiskey tumbler and some of their Premium Soda for the perfect highball set.
If you don’t go to the distillery for a tour, you can find Suntory whiskies in any grocery store to bring back home with you!
Japanese Cookies & Candies
Who doesn’t like a tasty treat? Japan is known to have some of the best cookies and sweets in the world. My favorite being the Pocky Stick. I found these jumbo sized Rainbow Pocky sticks and I knew I had to bring home with me. Also these Pablo Cheese Financier cakes were absolutely delicious. If you go to a Don Quijote in any city in Japan, you’ll be sure to find many options for Japanese sweets to try!
Weird Kit Kat Flavors
Japan’s producers of Kit Kat is Nestle, so you’ll find different flavors then what you would find in the states. They can lean a bit eccentric as well. Track some of those flavors down like wasabi or red bean (they get crazier than this) and bring them to work when you get back from your trip. You’re sure to be a crowd favorite!
Malebranche Matcha Cookies
Malebranche makes the tastiest and fanciest matcha cookies. I stumbled upon their storefront in Kyoto, tried a sample and I was hooked. I ended up purchasing a few boxes for our friends and an extra box for ourselves. It’s the perfect cookie to pair with your matcha tea. Find it in the Hagashiyama district of Kyoto.
