What souvenirs to bring back from Japan?

· Decoration, Travel

I was asked this question on Twitter and thought my answer would be more detailed in an article. Indeed, Japan has a lot of various items that worth to be brought back as souvenir but I prepared a short list of the best to carry in your suitcase back to France.

Obviously this list is based on my personal tastes and you might really want to have at the back of your car a Shiba dog with hanging head, but I hope it will give you a few ideas for your next trip to Japan.

 

Tableware and ceramics

It’s what I’ve brought back as a priority during my last few trips to Japan: I’ve tried to remain reasonable and have only chosen a few pieces each time, to enjoy them wisely and in order to complete the set piece by piece.

Tableware and ceramics from Tokyo, Osaka, Okayama and wooden spoons/forks from Kyoto
(at Inobun : I talked about it here)

 

Disney’s items

These could be skipped if you don’t spend your life inside Disney entertainment parks. I like bringing back accessories and souvenirs for my future visits in the Disneyland Paris park (such as small bags, tee-shirts, Minnie’s earring) as I know they will be useful to enhance my outfits.

As for the rest, I tend to buy small items (useful if possible) such as pens, cocktail stirrers or alien cable cover that I simply find awesome!

Don’t hesitate to visit the Disney stores in Japan (in addition to the TokyoDisneyland shops) as the Japanese aesthetic in term of Disney merchandising is always well thought and mixes useful and kawaii.

 

Movie posters

As soon as I walk by a movie theater in Japan, I get inside to grab a few small movie posters available (used as advertising flyer), they are always nicer than the ones in Europe and can be framed as a gift back home.

Surprise ! I didn’t expect to find this French movie poster “Le grand Bain”in Japan !

 

Delicacies

The Kit Kat with various flavors (rum and raisins, matcha, Sake, cheesecake…) are a safe bet as small gifts but you can also get kawaii candies, salty Japanese crackers : I have to admit that I don’t bring much of them anymore (for me) as we easily find them in Paris and I prefer to eat other Japanese specialities when I am there!

 

Knick-knacks from Daiso, Don Qijote or Muji

From my previous trips, I had found a lot of cooking accessories and most especially bentos. I also really enjoy going to the Japanese Muji, as I sometimes find products not available in the French shops and prices are much lower there (so if you have spotted one item in France, wait for Japan to buy it, it’s much cheaper).

 

A yukata

The ones with bigger budget can buy a nice and authentic kimono but as for me, a yukata is more than enough (and less cumbersome= I still have this one I bought in 2014)

 

A furoshiki

Just perfect to carry out everything with a small Japanese touch. (This one was not brought back from Japan but was made there and offered by my friend Candice)

“Daruma” Furoshiki to tie in 1000 different ways!

 

Japanese books and magazines

For inspiration! Even though I can’t read a word of Japanese it’s always very pleasant to look at them.

 

Japanese stationaries

For the script and paper lovers, Japan always creates beauties.

 

As I told you this list can be longer based on your tastes (feel free to add your suggestions in the comments below): For my part, I’ve brought back less and less (always to reduce my consumption and to try creating souvenir out there instead!). Anyway, I hope you got some inspiration for gift ideas from the rising sun country, for your friends and family (or yourself)! (English translation by Quiterie)

Feeling good at home

· Decoration, Illustration

As you know, 2 years ago we did some refurbishment work in our apartment while trying to eliminate the unnecessary things and only keep the essentials (and a bit of unnecessary essential… such as my Care Bears). Since then, I have to admit that it’s been a real pleasure to stay at home and enjoy the cosy and simple ambiance.

For me, a room without too many items can remain convivial and confortable. Here are a few things I’ve tried in order to find the Holy Grail in term of comfort and wellness at home. Obviously, all the following is completely subjective and depends on everyone tastes (some will prefer busy and colorful decoration to feel good) but here are the things that work for me to find serenity in my « Home sweet Home ».

 

Less items to live more

When we have less things at home, one of the most annoying thing called « cleaning » requires less time! Just for this, I am happy that I took the decision to clear up our apartment, and more specifically the bathroom that remains pretty much the same as what I showed you here. All the cosmetics (and I have far less than before) are partitioned into drawers, so they won’t get covered with dust but remain easy to access.

To possess less also provides less stress as we are not worried to break or lose something that we don’t own ! (Ahah smart isn’t it?)

The difficulty is also to fit only the necessary: so here is why I’ve been trying to brief my friends that I prefer food or immaterial gifts (Hello ! the annoying one it’s me!), considering longer my potential purchase, trying to repair the things I already have…

 

Create a small urban jungle

Adding plants inside also helped to emphasize this sensation of wellness. Indeed, I had read somewhere that if it was advised to lower the number of furniture and trinkets at home to feel better, the quantity of plants didn’t have any limit: open bar for greeneries!

On my side, I will keep a reasonable number as it requires to nurture these beauties! (…and.I don’t want to trip over branches or creepers when getting out of bed).

 

Bring softness

A cocooning place can’t work without a little bit of softness: I’ve tried to add a touch with furry cushions or hairy carpets. I’ve also got blankets that I leave on the sofa or store in a large box in the leaving room, ready to use if a chilly wind would come around.

 

Get rid of the maximum of text on the posters

I’ve noticed since I decided to hang on the wall only illustrations or photos, my mind was more relaxed compared to posters with text (no more encouraging mantras such as “Life is good” “Believe in you” or long sentences (even funny ones) on the wall). To relax my brain, without seeing too many things to read relaxes me more (maybe one of the reason to explain why I feel so good when I am in Japan as I don’t understand any of the ads in the streets!).

The only two exceptions are these frames « with text » in our bedroom but we can’t see them while we sleep, and they have a kind of sentimental value.

 

Remain in the neutrality and natural

(Let’s say it again, it’s very subjective) My interior used to be very colorful and I had this feeling that it was bringing me energy and comfort but I’ve actually found out that I prefer neutral places (white walls, furniture made with natural materials such as wood, rattan, wicker…).

You’ll probably tell me that Pinterest and Instagram inspired me and it’s also trendy to choose natural space, but after 2 years, I think I am ready to stay in this simple environment. Let’s see what the future holds but as for now I like it this way.

 

So here are a few examples of things that helps me to feel better at home. Maybe you also have a few tips to share with me?

To illustrate this article, I drew my childhood dream: a Polly Pocket house (I think I’ve never owned it but I’d secretly dreamed about it) = Small space (big houses scare me a bit… which is a good thing as I don’t have the budget to purchase one!), everything handy and the feeling to be in a cocoon. Winter and bad weather are rapidly approaching: now I can say « Not afraid! » .

PS : if you want to see interior images that I like, I have a « Home sweet home » board on Pinterest that could inspire you! (English translation by Quiterie)

Back in Osaka

· Fashion, Food, Illustration, Travel

We started and finished our Japanese road trip by Osaka. It was our second time there (first time in 2014) and I still like the bustle and the people more laid back compared to Tokyo. We stayed there 3 days but it gave us the opportunity to discover the hidden face of the city, walking away from the very touristic Dotonbori area. We wanted to visit a more quiet area and we found it!

I also got the chance to meet one evening Kuniyoshi, with whom I’ve often been chatting on Instagram since my last trip in 2014 (we can say whatever we want but social media connect people!) and he took us to discover a lot of local specialities… which means that you’ll find at the end of this article a lot of yummy addresses! Let’s go!

 

Nakazakicho neighborhood

If you look for a peaceful area full of vintage shops, this one is for you! Looking a bit like Shimokitazawa in Tokyo but even more authentic (for how long?). As a proof, we were almost alone when we visited the narrow streets of Nakazakicho (if I remember well it was a Wednesday), might be different during weekends though…

This being said, the walk was very pleasant: Japanese designer shops and vintages shops are everywhere. The staffs were quite talkative and nice (even more than usual!) even though most of them didn’t speak a word of English.

This neighborhood, mixing housing and shops, always have nicely decorated storefronts. This little vintage shop called GREEN PEPE is a real Ali Baba’s cave, with clothes, handmade vintage items, tableware… It’s a bit hidden but if you explore all the streets around, you should find it.

This ORANGE shop was also very interesting as we found vintage Disney and Toy Story Tshirts for ¥2000. All collectors of figurines and other small famous pop culture items would find here something to please them.

Thanks to the advices of an old lady owner of a small flea market store and our traditional sign language, we found KONNICHTEI (4-chome-3-1 Wakae Higashimachi Higashiosaka), this restaurant of Soba noodles, which was delicious and pretty refreshing considering the 30°C outside.

 

 

Housing in the Abeno Haruka tower

For these few days in Osaka, we stayed at the Miyako Osaka hotel located inside the Abeno Haruka building, built in 2014, the tallest in Japan!

I didn’t take any picture of the room but we loved our few days there. During our stay we also had the chance to do a morning run with the 58th floor view (you can see that on my Instagram Story) and it was pretty nice because we were the only ones to enjoy the view (Japaneses or tourists seems to be less athletic as me! I let you imagine that ahah!)

Our view from the 53th floor

 

Anyway, we didn’t regret our choice of housing at the end of the road trip because there were a lot of shops nearby so it was very convenient to purchase gifts during our last day!

 

Kuniyoshi’s yummy addresses in Osaka

As I was telling you earlier in this article, I got the chance to meet Kuniyoshi (aka “Kuni”), the owner of 6 shops (!) of wagyu barbecue (Matsusakagyu M), who I met in 2014 when I went to one of his restaurants and with whom we had spent a very good time.

This time we spent the whole evening together so he could show us his best addresses: the occasion to discover new specialities more or least exotics!

 

MATSUSAKAGYU YAKINIKU M

As the last time, we had the best wagyu beef, just soft and delicious. You can go there your eyes closed.

 

TEMPURA TAROJIRO (高橋ビル 1f, 1 Chome-8-20 Sennichimae)

Shrimp & melting egg Tempuras, Bonito tataki

 

As its name suggests, tempura is the speciality. We tried tempura with melting egg (marvelous) as well as the very surprising tempura with Shirako… but what is Shirako? Just… seminal liquid of fugu fish… in other words fish sperm!

Shirako tempura (=Fish sperm anyone ?)

 

As you probably saw in my instastories, I tried it and I loved it (even with your disgusted reactions). Honestly, nothing to be afraid of: the texture is halfway between soft tofu and panna cotta, without real strong taste and fried it’s definitely ok!

Must try if you like challenge but it’s really a small challenge, I swear!

Other specialities like these big Hokkaido oysters with Ponzu sauce

 

NARUTO TAIYAKI (1 Chome-4-10 Sennichimae)

The best taiyaki I’ve ever had are there! These small stuffed waffles with fish shapes are handmade in front of you with a master chef turning two dozen of moulds like nobody else! Impressive!

Kuni told me that he was serving more than 800 taiyaki per day! Amongst the flavors: sweet potato, taro or custard: all delicious.

 

A few extras

Here are a few extra addresses (some revealed by Kuni, some we randomly passed by for our great pleasure).

YAKIMINO-NANCHI (1-9-6 Namba Chuo-Ku) A tableware and traditional ceramic address: where I found our plates and flower pots perfectly imperfect!

My little souvenirs

 

KUA’ AINA (Naniwa Ward, Nanbanaka, 2 Chome−10−70 なんばパークス 6F) : Hawaian burger place found in Tokyo: such a pleasure to find it here, and this light smoked taste.

KUROMON SANPEI (2 Chome-4 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward) : Seafood restaurant prepared in front of you.

ACCHICHI HOMPO DOTONBORI (7-19 Souemoncho, Chuo Ward) : To try yummy takoyaki (ball of octopus) speciality from Osaka.

HOZENJI SANPEI (1 Chome-7-10 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward) : One of the best place to eat okonomiyaki.

BINCHOTAN YAKITORI RESTAURANT (Chuo Ward, Shinsaibashisuji, 2 Chome−4−4 日総･四国ビル B1): Grilled yakitori in a restaurant overseeing the famous Glico sign.

KOKOPELLI (Chuo Ward, Namba, 1 Chome−6−5 TMビル 1F ココペリ) : Burger restaurant with Kobe beef.

GOUKAI TACHIZUSHI (12-34, Nambasennichimae) : Very fresh sushi and sashimi.

 

So here was a small tour of new address in Osaka: I hope it will help you to prepare your trip: you can anyway read again my articles written in 2014. Let’s catch up again soon to start over our road trip from Awaji (… WELL! I know it takes me some time, my apologizes!). Looking forward to remembering it with you ! (English transation by Quiterie)
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