Are you looking for the best Christmas gift ideas for Japan lovers?
Like something that your giftee will feel happy receiving it or actually use, instead of regifting them away right after your Christmas exchange party?
Well, you are on the right site!
Hello there! I am Sam, your go-to travel bestie who is into everything Japan and loves helping first-time travellers to plan their trips and sharing handy travel tips along the way.
I have done the research and rounded up the 11 best Japanese-themed Christmas gift ideas ($50 and lesser!) so you can just hit the “Buy” button directly and get on with the rest of your day.
Let’s dive right in!
What Can You Buy for Japan Lovers as Christmas Gifts
- Sakuraco (Traditional Japanese snack box)
- Japanese KitKat variety pack
- Bonsai tree kit
- Cute Japanese animal aroma diffuser
- Kintsugi repair kit
- Matcha tea set
- Japan travel guidebook
- Japanese vocabulary flash cards
- Mount Fuji soy sauce dish
- Mini Zen garden kit
- Kawaii sushi blanket
1. Sakuraco (Traditional Japanese Snack Box)
One of the best Christmas gift ideas you can consider getting for any Japan lover is Sakuraco!
Sakuraco is a subscription box service that delivers authentic Japanese snacks and teas straight from Japan, where your giftee can indulge in yummy seasonal treats in the comfort of their own home!
Each box also comes with a surprise home-good item, from pretty teacups to handcrafted pieces, adding a lovely cultural touch.
And the best part?
You can easily sign up for a one-month Sakuraco subscription and have it shipped directly to your friend or family member, fuss free!
2. Japanese KitKat Variety Pack
You might think gifting KitKat for Christmas sounds a little too basic and wonder why it even deserves a spot on this list.
Like for real? KitKat for Christmas?
Well, that might be true for the regular chocolate flavour, but the Japanese KitKat is a whole different story!
That is there are over 300 unique flavours to try in Japan alone (no kidding), including the regional exclusives to limited-edition seasonal ones.
So if you are planning to surprise any foodie Japanese lover without breaking the bank, this Japanese KitKat Variety Pack is definitely a big go.
With 24 mini bars inside, they can enjoy a fun mix of classic and seasonal flavours, including milk chocolate, orange, matcha latte, ginger ale, and more!
3. Bonsai Tree Kit
Looking for a fun side project to gift your Japan-loving friend who cannot stop talking about their trip for the 1001st time?
Well… I am definitely that friend. (Someone please get me this.)
Then this bonsai tree starter kit is the perfect excuse to bring a little piece of Japan home, all while staying under a $50 budget!
It comes with everything you need to grow those mini trees successfully, such as pots, soil, tools, and even extra seed packets in case the first batch needs a redo.
And worry not, each kit comes with a handy growing guide too, making it an easy-to-grasp therapeutic gift even for beginner gardeners!
4. Cute Japanese Animal Aroma Diffuser
Japan is known for insanely cute stuff, and getting this petite animal aroma diffuser will definitely make your Japan lover friends squeal with excitement!
Available in cat, capybara, and shiba soaking-in-the-wooden-tub designs, the aroma diffuser fills the room with calming scents while adding some cutesy aesthetic vibes to any space.
Taking in the scent is especially therapeutic after a long day at work, and honestly, just seeing a tiny shiba chilling in a wooden tub at the corner of the room can instantly lift anyone’s mood!
5. Kintsugi Repair Kit
If you are looking for the best Japanese-themed Christmas gift for a hands-on, artsy giftee, then you can never go wrong with a kintsugi repair kit.
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art where broken pottery is repaired with distinct gold, silver, or platinum lacquer.
So instead of hiding the cracks, this practice is actually celebrating imperfections and recognizing that there is beauty in every flaw.
So cool right!
You can easily shop for any kintsugi kit like the CHIYU Kintsugi Repair Kit, which comes with gold glue, brushes, and powder.
Since all items are made with durable, food-safe materials that are dishwasher safe, you can reuse the mended bowls or plates and give them a new lease of life.
6. Matcha Tea Set
You have that one friend or family member who could not stop buying overpriced matcha from boujee coffee shops after their Japan trip?
Well, the next Christmas gift idea can potentially save them half of that money for another trip to Japan by autumn!
Available in several colours, the TEANAGOO Matcha Tea Set comes with everything one needs to make their own frothy, delicious cup of matcha at home.
The set includes a ceramic bowl, bamboo whisk, scoop, whisk holder, scoop stand, tea cloth, sifter, and even a little matcha handbook so beginners can learn the basics and host their own mini tea ceremony anytime they want!
7. Japan Travel Guidebook
Got someone who keeps saying, “Oh my gosh, Japan is so next on my to-visit list but I am scared because I don’t understand the language, and I am not sure if I can enter the hotspring with my dog George tattoo on my arm?”?
Well, this Japan travel guidebook will finally get them to book that flight!
Moon Japan: Beyond the Crowds shares flexible itineraries, local gems, and cultural experiences that help first-time travellers explore Japan with confidence.
But if you really want to nudge them to get that trip going, I believe my Japan trip planning service might just be the better gift!
8. Japanese Vocabulary Flash Cards
Another great Christmas gift idea to consider is Japanese vocabulary flash cards.
This handy set includes 218 beginner-friendly Japanese words across 10 whopping categories such as numbers, colours, and verbs.
Each card comes with a cute illustration, Romaji, English translation, and an example sentence that makes learning feel fun and totally doable, even for beginners like kids.
Since the card size is small enough to slip into a bag and light enough to carry, it allows students to easily study it wherever they go, be it on the train, in a cafe, or during lunch breaks!
9. Mount Fuji Soy Sauce Dish
Getting a soy sauce dish as a Christmas gift might sound too unglamorous.
But this is not any ordinary sauce dish.
Handcrafted from traditional Seto ware porcelain, this little dish reveals a stunning 3D Mount Fuji design when filled with soy sauce!
Not gonna lie; it looks kinda cool and a low-key, zero effort magician trick for a sushi date night
Its size is also big enough to be used as a seasoning dish or dipping plate, making it a versatile piece of tableware your giftee will actually use every day.
10. Mini Zen Garden Kit
If your giftee could use a little peace (or just something cute to stare at between Zoom calls), this mini Japanese Zen garden kit might just be their best Christmas gift ever!
The kit comes with everything they need to create their own slice of Japan right on their desk, including fine white sand, smooth stones, a torii gate, cherry blossom trees, a tiny pagoda, and handcrafted wooden rakes.
It can be used as Japanese-inspired home decor too, offering a calm, minimalist touch to any corner.
11. Kawaii Sushi Blanket
If you are hunting for a Christmas gift that is cute, cosy, and guaranteed to make any Japan lover say, ‘OMG this is adorable!’, this kawaii sushi blanket is the one!
Made with plush flannel fleece on one side and sherpa on the other, this blanket feels like a heaven-sent warm hug that they will absolutely adore during the colder months.
And there is no better time than Christmas to gift this since it is the season of fireplaces, hot chocolate, and endless Home Alone movie nights!
FAQs: Best Christmas Gifts for Japan Lovers
Are these Japanese gift ideas suitable for both men and women?
Oh yes!
Most of these Japan-themed gifts are gender-neutral, so you will find something that fits whether you are shopping for your partner, friend, family members, or even your colleague!
Where can I buy Japan-themed Christmas gifts?
All the items mentioned here are available on Amazon. Just add to cart, make payment, and you are basically done with your Christmas shopping! It’s that easy.
What is the best gift for someone who is planning a trip to Japan?
A Japan travel guidebook or language flash cards are perfect for first-time travellers. But if you really want the best for them, gifting my Japan trip itinerary planning service is the way to go!
Are Japanese gifts expensive?
Not at all!
Every item on this list is highly rated and falls between $20 and $50, which keeps things budget-friendly. Plus, every item here is something they will actually use (or snack on), so they won’t be chucked to the “To Regift” corner. Win-win.
What is the best last-minute Japan-themed gift?
You can never go wrong with a Sakuraco snack box or a Japanese KitKat variety pack. They are fun, easy to order, and packed with excitement!
Final Thoughts: And It Is Time to Hit The “Buy” Button
You can finally say goodbye to the endless gift search for Japan lovers with these 11 best Christmas gift ideas!
From cosy sushi blankets to the cutest mini Zen garden kit, every item on this list is something a Japan lover will actually use and be excited to receive.
So go ahead, hit that buy button, wrap it up with love, and get ready for the best reaction ever during the Christmas gift exchange party!
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Sam Lee, founder of Sam Lee Travel, is a seasoned traveler with over 10 years of experience exploring various Asian countries. Having lived in Singapore for almost a decade, Sam has developed a deep understanding of the culture, customs, and attractions in the region.
With a passion for outdoor travel adventures and water sports, Sam has helped over 25K readers per month plan their trips around Asia, including off-the-beaten-path destinations, offering helpful travel tips and unfiltered personal travel experience.