Japanese Gift Boxes of Overwhelming Cuteness

Gifting in Japan requires that the wrapping be nearly as precious as what’s inside, but I can never remember how to tie a traditional silk furoshiki without the book that reminds me how to fold and tuck the corners so it doesn’t turn out looking like I’m offering someone a wad of laundry.

But even fumblefingered moi can pop these uber-cute animal boxlets open and reap full points for birthday present-ing!

And best of all, these aren’t from some expensive boutique card shop, they’re from Shimojima, where thrifty office managers and boutique owners shop the eight floors of supplies for bulk necessities. Now that Ito-ya has become a sad museum-like emporium of expensive and twee, get thee to this stationery bonanza out in Asakusa-bashi to satisfy your Japanese pen, pencil & All Things Only In Japan cravings!

If you’d like to ogle all the merch, a map to Shimojima is on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had.

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When not wrapping gifts, Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Tokyo

“A genuinely gripping crime thriller which wrong-foots and perplexes the reader throughout, drawing us in emotionally . . . Highly recommended.” –Raven Crime Reads