Top Ten Only In Japan Holiday Gifts 2014!

10. What do you give the person who has everything? They’ve already got a one-shot coffee maker. And a one-shot tea machine. But I bet they don’t have a ONE-SHOT MISO SOUP MAKER!

Because who doesn't consume so much miso soup they need it instantly at all times? (Seen at Yodabashi Camera in Akihabara) — Because who doesn’t consume so much miso soup they need it instantly at all times? (Seen at Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara)

9. Landing a blow for equal opportunity character pillows, the otaku girls on your list will love sleeping with the SINGING PRINCE DREAM CUSHION!

These swoonworthy lads promise "true love 2000%!" (Seen at Kotobuki in Akihabara) — These swoonworthy lads promise “true love 2000%!” (Seen at Kotobuki in Akihabara)

8. And for princesses whose rigorous beauty routine leaves them too exhausted to lift a washcloth at the end of a long day, how about these ELECTRIC FACE BRUSHES?

Let's hope "Whip & Wash" refers to frothing up a bowl of soapy goodness for facial cleaning purposes rather than any more punishing beauty treatment... (Seen at BIC Camera in Shinjuku) — Let’s hope “Whip & Wash” refers to frothing up a bowl of soapy goodness for facial cleaning purposes rather than any more punishing beauty treatment… (Seen at BIC Camera in Shinjuku)

7. Give the mom on your list the stress relief gift that keeps on giving: children will never have to be nagged into eating their vegetables again if they’re distracted by this adorable SITTING BEAR RICE MOLD.

1BearMoldFeat — With this cute bear staring them in the face, they won’t even realize you’re trying to feed them that old family recipe: Weenies & Veggies (Seen at Tokyu Hands in Ikebukuro)

6. And every time global warming rears its ugly head next year, your giftees will thank you if you present them with this weird and yet strangely compelling UNBRELLA.

Refuses to blow out in even the most severe hurricanes, typhoons and other weather disasters. (Seen at Tokyu Hands in Shibuya)

5. Does someone you know love catch-your-own noodles, but finds themselves inconveniently far from Chaya Kado in the summertime? Now they can enjoy nagashi somen in their very own home with the WHITE BEAR NOODLE FOUNTAIN.

Chilled water gushes from the polar bear's mouth and trickles merrily down to the rotating ring below, for noodle-snagging fun anytime, anywhere. (Seen at Loft in Shibuya) — Chilled water gushes from the polar bear’s mouth and trickles merrily down to the rotating ring below, for noodle-snagging fun anytime, anywhere. (Seen at Loft in Shibuya)

4. Women can never have too many accessories, and I’ll bet you a barrel of wiggling sea eels she doesn’t have a RED TELEPHONE PURSE.

Trust me on this: She doesn't have one, but she WANTS one. (Seen at Aki-Oka Artisan in Akihabara) — Trust me on this: She doesn’t have one, but she WANTS one. (Seen at Aki-Oka Artisan Co-op in Akihabara)

3. Give the gift of slimming: The most surefire diet aid I saw all year was this JAPANESE TOILET CURRY PLATE.

Seriously, would YOU lick your plate clean if your curry rice came on one of these? (Seen at Village Vanguard in Shimokitazawa)

2. For the stalker wannabe on your list, this stealthy BOW TIE VOICE CHANGER.

Because nobody will ever guess the guy muttering into his plastic light-up bow tie is up to anything shady. (Seen at the discount shops on the street where maids give out flyers in Akihabara)

1. And for that hard-to-shop-for person whose decorating taste runs to crafts & weapons, this FRAMED HANDGUN REPLICA MADE ENTIRELY OF WOOD.

You can't have too many. (Seen at Aki-Oka Artisan in Akihabara) — You can’t have too many. (Seen at Aki-Oka Artisan Co-op in Akihabara)

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Still looking for the perfect gift?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for
Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon

For three hundred years, a missing tea bowl passes from one fortune-seeker to the next, changing the lives of all who possess it…*read more*

“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

6 thoughts on “Top Ten Only In Japan Holiday Gifts 2014!”

darsword says:

December 2, 2014 at 4:50 pm

Reblogged this on Darswords and commented:
This is a blog and a book series I really like!

1. Jonelle Patrick says:
  
  December 3, 2014 at 1:05 am
  
  Oh, wow, I’m so honored! （＾Ｏ＾☆♪ You are the best! Thank you, sweet friend!
  
darsword says:

December 2, 2014 at 4:51 pm

Had to share! 🙂

1. Jonelle Patrick says:
  
  December 3, 2014 at 1:06 am
  
  *\(^o^)/*
  
Angela | The Chewy Life says:

June 3, 2015 at 3:07 pm

That bear rice ball maker is adorable! 🙂

1. Jonelle Patrick says:
  
  June 6, 2015 at 10:14 pm
  
  I love that one too! (Sorry I’m so late to reply – I’ve been making the rounds of crazy cute animal destinations this week (Fox Village and Bunny Island!) so have been stranded in remote countryside spots where the wifi is not particularly plentiful (><)