These days, everyone wants “experiences,” not “stuff,” so how about digging into your Santa sack for presents that deliver #youllneverguesswhatwedids that could only come from (where else?)…Japan! This year, give the gift of…
1
…making your own Panda Face sushi and finding out who’s the fastest panda-grabber in the land

Level up by slipping in a few made with natto (stinky, slimy, fermented soybeans) just to keep it extra-competitive
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2
…drinking to The One That Got Away with these fishy beer glasses

After hoisting a few trout-themed brews with these beauties, coming home with an empty creel could become an annual Thing.
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3
…getting on your holiday cheer decked out as Shiba Santa instead of St. Nick

Because what could be more useful than being able to do a heckin’ refuse when Auntie Gert insists on giving you a perfume-drenched hug in return?
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4
…lighting up with the cutest matches to ever ignite what you’re smoking

Excuse me, I think we need to see those again

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5
…getting an instant face lift without all that pesky surgery

(Although it’s unclear how these stretchy ear-squishers can vanish the saggies without the benefit of a little slicing and dicing (`_´)ゞ)
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6
…owning the pet of your dreams (or the next best thing): an animal face washcloth

Sure, you might be able to convince a garden variety feline or canine to wash your face if you smear it with enough peanut butter or chicken livers, but if your giftee is craving a facial cleansing from, say, a red panda or a fox or a koala, you can’t do better than wrapping up one of these oh-so-friendly facecloths.
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7
…spend more time eating bonbons on your chaise lounge while a dedicated JAPANESE slow cooker whips up dinner

Which is just like a Western crock pot, except the presets aren’t for Three Alarm Chili or mom’s chicken soup, they’re for kakuni (braised pork stew), nikujaga (beef and potato stew), edamame (boiled soybeans) and both kinds of rice (white and brown).
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8
…scooting your kitchen chair across the floor on little cat feet

With these cat paw chair socks, your midnight snacking can be silent AND deadly.
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9
…becoming the supreme ruler of the coffee break with this 3D latte foam tool

Yes, now you can top your double shots of espresso with adorable bears, cats, bunnies and Godzillas in your very own home.
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10
…sharing the pleasures of extreme personal grooming with that boyfriend who insists you maintain an immaculate Brazilian, with the Gosso Nose Wax System

What it lacks in waxable square inches, it more than makes up for in pain.
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If you’re 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

“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
🤣 the novel set is the best!
Coming here after the craziest holidays ever to send you a remote for liking the novels best! Happy new year to you!
Many thanks! You too. So happy for you!
Ahh yes…land of the endless weird and useless gifts hehe
Hey, happy new year! I’m back in the land of useless gifts after a maelstrom of family holidays in the States, and ready to spot the latest & greatest weirdnesses. So glad you crossed my path this year, and it’s such a pleasure to see your comments and know you’re along for the ride. Hope to enjoy a lot more of your posts in the new year too!
Happy New Year to you too Jonelle I hope you had a nice trip to the US over Christmas. I’m still in summer mode in Melbourne on the beach etc. as it’s boiling hot here. I am really glad we connected too and look forward to seeing all your posts this year. Did you manage to subscribe to my blog? I added a subscribe thing to make it easier, thanks for pointing that out. 🙂
Yes! Thank you for adding the subscription button! Am looking forward to every time your golden prose lands in my email now….
I suggest they change the name of the nose hair instrument to Grosso. LOL
And I am going to look for the face lift and a Godzilla foam maker when I’m there next! Great list! 🙂
I know, right? And if you try out that face lift thing, let me know what it does! I can’t for the life of me figure out how it could possibly have the desired effect!
And it was so great to see you f2f this time around – so looking forward to more encounters in the new year, and I hope you get back Tokyo side soon!