You don't say where you are going, but for shopping, I'll assume it's Tokyo.
You might get more out of it by focusing on where to shop rather than what to buy. Tokyo used to have many interesting small shops, the way other major cities did before online shopping. Going around to brick & mortar shops now is time consuming and mostly not worth it if you know what you want, because the selection is so much better online. For many things, there will be importers operating in your country. For example, www.jetpens.com does a great job bringing less expensive stationery items into the USA.
I would focus on the unique shopping experiences to be had in Tokyo. If you are into fountain pens, Shosaikan[1] should be near the top of your list. This thread covers more locations.[2]
For housewares and small tools, the best browsing is Hands (formerly Tokyu Hands). I love the aesthetics of Japanese home and office goods, but the more interesting things are generally not exported. I have many things that were inexpensive but unique and very nice to have. Just one example, the Japanese "pipe pillow".[3]
* Stationary at places like Itoya in Ginza (if that counts as tools).
* Go to Yodabashi camera and just have a look around and you will find things you suddenly _need_. I bought an alarm clock and had literally hundreds to choose from.
* Nail clippers, tweezers, etc. you can get from just a general drug store are all very high quality (or so packaging showing them being hand sharpened leads me to believe).
My uncle got back from a trip to Japan a couple of months ago and they brought me back a very nice blue steel sontaku knife (I hope I spelled that right!)
They’re pricy, but it’ll last forever and be wicked sharp. You’ll need it for when you want to prepare delicious meals to remind yourself of the trip ;)
Fountain pen. They make some of the best in the world, and if you treat it right it will last your whole life. I've got one that's almost 15 years old. I fill it when it's empty and it's the only pen I use.
From an environmental stand it's great because it's reusable.
From a writing stand it's an amazing feel every time I write.
Sailor, Platinum and Pilot are the big three Japanese brands. You can generally get them outside of Japan but there might be Japan exclusives and the prices might be better in Japan.
You don't say where you are going, but for shopping, I'll assume it's Tokyo.
You might get more out of it by focusing on where to shop rather than what to buy. Tokyo used to have many interesting small shops, the way other major cities did before online shopping. Going around to brick & mortar shops now is time consuming and mostly not worth it if you know what you want, because the selection is so much better online. For many things, there will be importers operating in your country. For example, www.jetpens.com does a great job bringing less expensive stationery items into the USA.
I would focus on the unique shopping experiences to be had in Tokyo. If you are into fountain pens, Shosaikan[1] should be near the top of your list. This thread covers more locations.[2]
For housewares and small tools, the best browsing is Hands (formerly Tokyu Hands). I love the aesthetics of Japanese home and office goods, but the more interesting things are generally not exported. I have many things that were inexpensive but unique and very nice to have. Just one example, the Japanese "pipe pillow".[3]
[1] https://tokyostationpens.com/2020/04/21/shosaikan-a-virtual-...
[2] https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/368781-founta...
[3] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Pipe_Pillow...
* Stationary at places like Itoya in Ginza (if that counts as tools). * Go to Yodabashi camera and just have a look around and you will find things you suddenly _need_. I bought an alarm clock and had literally hundreds to choose from. * Nail clippers, tweezers, etc. you can get from just a general drug store are all very high quality (or so packaging showing them being hand sharpened leads me to believe).
Itoya is already on my list. I love fountain pens (or rather the inks) and want to get a few.
My uncle got back from a trip to Japan a couple of months ago and they brought me back a very nice blue steel sontaku knife (I hope I spelled that right!)
They’re pricy, but it’ll last forever and be wicked sharp. You’ll need it for when you want to prepare delicious meals to remind yourself of the trip ;)
lacquer Kyoto Teramachi Main Shop just go there https://www.zohiko.co.jp/global/en/
Gorgeous. I’ll definitely stop by when in Kyoto.
I hear the scissors made there are usually pretty great.
Lightweight umbrellas.
Whisky. Japanese cameras from the 1960s.
Fountain pen. They make some of the best in the world, and if you treat it right it will last your whole life. I've got one that's almost 15 years old. I fill it when it's empty and it's the only pen I use.
From an environmental stand it's great because it's reusable.
From a writing stand it's an amazing feel every time I write.
Sailors are popular. Got any other specific brands that might not make it outside of Japan?
Sailor, Platinum and Pilot are the big three Japanese brands. You can generally get them outside of Japan but there might be Japan exclusives and the prices might be better in Japan.
Sorry to be brash, but a BIC would last me a lifetime too. What do you use your pens for???
This came up on reddit recently
https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/comments/1eeby2w/japan...Skincare products.
Haircare as well :)
Clothes at Uniqlo, the cotton shirts and hoodies are superb
Also the second-hand clothing stores are just incredible to peruse
Is it better than Uniqlo in other counties? Uniqlo in Australia is really good.
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