30 Must-Buy Souvenirs from Japan [2016 edition]

Above, a great place to buy many of the items on the list is at Asakusa's Nakamise Street. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tsunagu Japan has posted their "2016 edition" of 30 "must-buy" souvenirs from Japan.

Some on the list were bought when Denise, Aiden and I went there last October. I have also purchased some during prior trips. Last October, we purchased cooking knives, yukatas and chopsticks (and we received some as gifts as well).

Not on the list, but are must-buys for Godzilla fans, are Godzilla toys. I did purchase a couple of Bandai 1968 Godzilla toys (one for Aiden and one for myself) while there.

Above, the 1968 Godzilla toy I bought for myself. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article begins with:

Have you ever wondered what to take home as a Japanese souvenir? Here's a list of 30 Japanese things, including food, traditional crafts, practical everyday items, and fun stuff! Look through the list and look for one that best suits you or the person you are planning to give the souvenir to!

To see the complete list, go here. 

Ginza Mitsukoshi Introduces Yukata For Foreigners

Above, the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store at Ginza Crossing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Are you currently (or in the near future) in Tokyo and want to bring back something for the woman (or girl) in your life?

The Ginza Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo may just have the thing for you!

According to the Mainichi Shimbun:

The Ginza Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo began sales on June 3 of simple women's "yukata" -- summer-style kimono -- tailored for foreigners. 

Yukata are popular with foreigners as a way to enjoy Japanese culture, and sales to foreigners are on the rise, the store says. Its new yukata can be easily worn like a gown, and are designed to foreigners' preferences. The length is shorter than usual, and the yukata cloth needn't be folded under the waist sash as in a normal yukata. The waist sash has also been made easy to tie, and overall the yukata can be worn and enjoyed without especially requiring knowledge of how to wear them.

To read more, go here. 

A Yukata That Nicholas Blair Would Approve Of

As we are nearing the warm summer months, which are also the prime camping season, I needed something to wear at night and casually in the motorhome.

I decided to buy myself a new yakata. A photo of the pattern is above.

For those of you who may be "unwashed" about Japanese clothing. Here's a description of a yukata from Wikipedia:

A yukata (浴衣?) is a Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric, and unlined. Yukata are worn by both men and women. Like other forms of traditional Japanese clothing, yukata are made with straight seams and wide sleeves. Men's yukata are distinguished by the shorter sleeve extension of approximately 10 cm from the armpit seam, compared to the longer 20 cm sleeve extension in women's yukata. A standard yukata ensemble consists of a cotton undergarment (juban), yukata, obi, bare feet, sandals (geta), a foldable or fixed hand fan, and a carry bag (kinchaku). Kinchaku are used by both men and women to carry cellphones, sunglasses, wallets and tissue. For men, an optional hat or derby may also be worn to protect the head from the sun. Yukata literally means bath(ing) clothes, although their use is not limited to after-bath wear. Yukata are a common sight in Japan during the hot summer months.

It arrived today and it fits perfectly. I think Nicholas Blair from Dark Shadows would approve.