Top Ten Crazy Holiday Gifts From Japan 2016

Yes, it’s that time of year again, when you comb your list of friends & family for those who truly deserve that rare and awe-inspiring gift from Japan…

10. If there’s nobody on your list who needs a MANEATING VAMPIRE PURSE, you need to make new friends.

9. CUTEST WASHCLOTHS OF ALL TIME! Who could fail to smile after ripping the wrapping off one of these?

animalwashcloths — Found at the shop in the underground mall near the Marunouchi Line entrance to Shinjuku Station

8. Give the gift of wowing friends & family with foamy bears, cats, and replicas of Michelangelo’s David* with this 3D LATTE MAKER

From Yodabashi Camera in Akihabara. — *Expert Level (From Yodabashi Camera in Akihabara)

7. The gift of RUG

Whatever color your ideal thatch, augment the golfer in your life's natural tresses with this golf hat toupee. Can be ordered from the gift catalog on the bullet train. — Augment those natural tresses with this golf hat toupee. (Can be ordered from the gift catalog on the bullet train)

6. Every avid cat butt collector already has a handcrafted feline tookus pincushion, but you’ll definitely be the first to gift them a CAT BUTT REFRIGERATOR MAGNET

catbuttmagnets — A butt for every breed. (Saw these at Design Festa, but the artist can be found at http://ameblo.jp/catsgirl-2005)

5. You know the corporate warrior on your list secretly craves a SAMURAI BASEBALL CAP

samuraicaps — Tokyu Hands, you never fail to delight. Saw these at the Ikebukuro store.

4. Know someone who inexplicably craves stinky, slimy soybeans, but can’t find them at their local market? Voila, the DIY NATTO MAKER

3. For the person on your list who has way too many cold pencils – the MUMMY BAG PENCIL CASE will be just the ticket

2. Or really make things easy on yourself and just give everyone a STATUETTE OF YOURSELF

After you get your 3D photo snapped, you can get an army of yourself 3D printed – jumbo size for your mom, dog toy size for your pooch. (Shibuya Loft) — You do have to get yourself to the Loft store in Shibuya to get your 3D photo snapped, but once your bits are in the system, you can get an army of yourself 3D printed. Jumbo size for your mom, pocket size for your Significant Other, dog toy size for your pooch. Done, done, and DONE.

1. And finally, for the most impossible person on your list: the one-size-delights-and-baffles-all INFLATABLE GEISHA WIG

Because who could fail to be baffled and delighted with THIS? (Available at the souvenir shops on the street parallel to Nakamise-dori, in Asakusa) — Because only someone unworthy of your friendship would fail to appreciate THIS (Available at the souvenir shops on the street parallel to Nakamise-dori, in Asakusa)

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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

3 thoughts on “Top Ten Crazy Holiday Gifts From Japan 2016”

Diane Wilt says:

December 9, 2016 at 9:49 am

Wow. Good company. 😳

Sent from my iPhone

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Eda says:

December 9, 2016 at 4:27 pm

I dunno. The 3D latte may be a bit too much like biting the heads off Peeps. And I wonder why the Cats Girl cats are all male. Love the man eating purse, though. Carry it with the teeth side toward your body and then flash it at anyone who annoys you. They’d probably wet themselves!

1. Jonelle Patrick says:
  
  December 10, 2016 at 2:39 am
  
  Carry it facing backward, and sidewalk cyclists wouldn’t DARE ring their freakin’ bells at you to get out of their way! ( *｀ω´) And ha, you’re right – I can’t even slurp up the cute FLAT latte bears & cats – I’d be leaving half my coffee in the cup with that 3D thing (><;;)