A souvenir shop in Japan | Image Credit: Julie Fader/Unsplash
Almost every travel blog and magazine recommends visiting Japan in spring or autumn, when the weather is pleasant, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, or fall foliage paints the landscape. But few realise that winter is just as magical. From November to February, Japan dazzles with dreamy illuminations, seasonal delicacies, and best of all, irresistible winter sales. Think lucky bags, holiday-themed gift sets, and limited-edition finds. Here’s everything you need to know about shopping for Japanese souvenirs in winter.
Also, learn how to slow travel in Japan to gain an authentic experience.
Where to shop for winter souvenirs in Japan?
Garments at Loft | Image Credit: Loft/Instagram
In Japan, there is no shortage of shopping streets and stores. Here are some of the most iconic and reputable brands to shop from:
Clothes, shoes & fashion accessories: GU, Uniqlo, WEGO, Freak’s Store, Lowrys Farm, Beams, Honeys, Shimamura, Onitsuka Tiger, A Bathing Ape and ABC Mart.
Stationery, cutesy and miscellaneous items: LOFT, Itoya, Francfranc and Hands.
Japanese tea and utensils: Ippodo Tea, LOFT Ginza Store, Airport Duty-free shops.
Snacks and sweets: Convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, and Don Quijote.
Small budget-friendly items: Daiso, 3 Coins, Seria, Can Do, Don Quijote, Natural Kitchen.
Makeup & skincare: Hands, LOFT, Cosme Kitchen, Matsumoto Kiyoshi Drugstore, @cosme Store and the Shiseido Flagship Store.
Sake and alcohol: Airport duty-free shops, Don Quijote, Ito Yokado Shopping Mall, Aeon Shopping Mall and convenience stores.
Gadgets & appliances: Bic Camera, Yodobashi Camera, Yamada Denki and Don Quijote.
Also read | These Are Japan’s Best Hotels, Pools, Spas and More in 2025
Top winter souvenir to bring from Japan
Now that you know where to shop from, here are some of the best Japanese souvenirs to bring home.
Seasonal chocolates & snacks
KitKat Mini Kokuchi | Image credit: Nestle/Flickr
Every winter, Japan launches new and limited-edition sweets and snacks. You will find them wrapped in colourful, holiday packaging. Make sure to stock up on these before they sell out:
KitKat Winter Edition: In winter, KitKat Japan offers fun flavours like pistachio, rich cheesecake, almond and cranberry, caramel, strawberry milk, orange chocolate, and strawberry gateau chocolate.
Liquor chocolates: Meiji’s Rum & Raisin chocolate, Melty Kiss, and Brandy & Orange Peel chocolate, and Lotte’s Rum & Raisin, Cognac, Apple Brandy, and Tea Royale chocolate are winter specials. You will find them at convenience stores and supermarkets.
Potato chips: Japan has some interesting flavours of potato chips, such as seaweed and salt, pizza, beef, plum, miso, shrimp, and even wasabi! You can find these crisps from Calbee, Koikeya and Yamayoshi at supermarkets or convenience stores.
Tokyo Banana: The Tokyo Banana cream-filled cakes are the most iconic souvenirs from Japan! During winter, they launch a new holiday flavour. You can buy them at the airport, Tokyo Station, or any shopping mall in Tokyo.
Sweet potato snacks: Autumn and winter are the best seasons to try sweet potato snacks such as Calbee Jagariko Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato-flavoured Pocky, Sweet Potato KitKat, and sweet potato chips. These can be bought at supermarkets or convenience stores.
Luxury chocolates: There’s nothing more luxurious than enjoying gooey nama chocolate (ganache-type chocolate) from Royce and Sils Maria on a cold winter afternoon.
Fish snacks: Dried fish is a common snack enjoyed with alcohol in Japan. Shop for smoked squid rings, almonds, and dried fish snacks from supermarkets or convenience stores. They are salty, chewy, and crunchy, and your taste buds will be in for a treat!
Skincare and cosmetic products
Shiseido deLuxe cream | Image credit: Chihaya+ [away Sakura], CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Since Japan’s winters are cold and dry, your skin becomes dry and flaky faster. Hence, look out for hydrating skincare and cosmetic products that will keep the skin fresh and moisturised.
Facepacks: Products like Nadeshiko Rice Pack Wafoo Made pack will keep your skin supple, hydrated, and nourished. Buy at any department store or at places like Loft and Hands.
Sheetmasks: Lululun sheet masks are one of the most popular souvenirs to shop for in Japan. Whether your skin concern is acne, dullness, or dryness, there’s a Lululun sheet mask for it.
Creams & lotions: Japanese creams and lotions are famous for their light texture and deep hydration effects. The ones to keep an eye out for are Hada Labo, Curél, Shiseido, Muji and SK-II.
Lip balms: The DHC lip balm, Melty Lip Cream and Nivea lip balms are perfect for keeping your lips moisturised during winter.
Cushion foundations: Most Japanese women are obsessed with cushion foundations because they conceal blemishes and achieve a smooth, natural-looking finish. The most popular ones here are from Missha and TIRTIR.
Uncover J-beauty secrets with the best Japanese skincare products.
Japanese tea
A cup of matcha | Representational Image Credit: Jason Leung/Unsplash
Japanese tea makes a great souvenir to give friends and family. Here are a few kinds of tea worth the splurge!
Matcha: Since Japan produces the highest grade of matcha in the world, matcha powder makes the ideal Japanese souvenir. Along with the powder, make sure you also purchase tea utensils and a tea bowl.
Hojicha: This tea is made from roasted green tea leaves that produce a rich, earthy flavour.
Genmaicha: This is a blend of green tea leaves and roasted rice grains. It has a nutty, cereal-like flavour.
Sake & alcohol
Hibiki whiskey | Image Credit: Mikael Leppä, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Japan is renowned for its sake, and purchasing it locally guarantees both authenticity and proper storage. Plus, it’s generally more affordable in Japan than abroad.
Nihonshu: Also known as ‘sake’ in Japan, nihonshu is made from rice, rice-koji, and water. These can be bought from any international airport in Japan, local breweries, and department stores.
Shochu: Shochu has a higher alcohol content than sake and is made from ingredients such as sweet potatoes, shiso, or barley.
Whiskey: Since Japanese whiskey costs a fortune abroad, Japan is the best place to buy it. Yamazaki 12 Year Old and Hibiki whiskey from Suntory are excellent souvenir choices to get in Japan.
Don’t miss our feature on how ‘grocery tourism’ is turning supermarkets into dining hotspots.
Miscellaneous items
Handtowels | Image Credit: francfranc_official/Instagram
These are must-picks while souvenir shopping in Japan.
Hand towels: Carrying a small hand towel is part of everyday life in Japan. You’ll find them in a variety of sizes, colours, and designs at Loft, Hands, and Francfranc.
Disposable heat packs: You can stick these heat patches on any part of your body that feels cold and painful, such as your back, shoulders, calves, and feet. You can buy these at your local drugstore or department store.
Disposable steam eye mask: These are a popular souvenir to pick up in Japan during winter. When exposed to air, the mask mildly warms up and relaxes tired eyes.
Read our feature on things to buy in Japan.
Clothes & fashion accessories
Uniqlo, Shinjuku, Japan | Image credit: Real Estate Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rather than packing winter clothing from home, consider buying it in Japan; it’s affordable, high-quality, and specifically designed for the country’s winter conditions.
Heattech wear: From inner jackets to base layers to leggings, you can find a variety of Heattech wear at Uniqlo.
Puffer jackets: Stay warm and cosy with a puffer jacket in winter. You will be spoiled for choice at GU, Uniqlo, Freak’s Store, and Muji.
Boots, loafers & sneakers: Sandals and peep-toe heels are a big no-no in winter. Investing in a closed pair of shoes, like boots or sneakers, will keep your feet warm and comfortable.
Fluffy socks, scarves & gloves: Available in a variety of fabrics and colours across every department store in Japan.
Gadgets
Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Umeda Store, Japan | Image credit: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You can’t miss the trendy gadgets while in Japan.
Rechargeable hand warmers: Gadget stores such as Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera offer a range of rechargeable hand warmers. These compact, pebble-shaped devices quickly heat up, keeping your hands cosy during the cold winter months.
Electric blanket: These are a must-have during winter in Japan if you don’t own a kotatsu table. You can buy them from Nitori, Muji, and Francfranc.
Cute heating pad: Though it resembles a stuffed animal, it actually contains a built-in heater. Ideal for soothing cramps or simply snuggling up for warmth, these heated plush toys are available at most Hands and Loft stores across Japan.
Candle warmer: One advantage of a candle warmer is that it lets you enjoy your candles without any open flames. A high-quality warmer enhances the fragrance of your luxury candles, filling your home with delightful scents. These can be found at stores like Nitori and Bic Camera.
Also read about thrift shopping in Japan for high-end brands, rare vintage finds and great deals.
Tips for buying winter souvenirs in Japan
Tokyo Base, Japan | Image Credit: Yanhao Fang/Unsplash
Set aside one or two empty suitcases for souvenirs.
Look for limited-edition labels when shopping for winter souvenirs in Japan.
Compare prices at discount stores and supermarket stores to get the best deal.
When shopping for alcohol, check the airline’s customs limits.
The best way to prevent alcohol bottles from breaking in your suitcase is to wrap them carefully with T-shirts and place them in the middle of the suitcase.
Shop the best travel experiences here
If you enjoy surprises and random items, buy a Fukubukuro (lucky bag). These are available late December onwards.
Set a tentative budget to avoid overspending.
Buy smaller winter edition items such as snacks, sweets, and stationery first, as they tend to sell out faster than gift sets and clothing.
Many Japanese winter souvenirs are already pre-wrapped with seasonal packaging, so you don’t have to pay for extra gift wrap.
Shopping at tax-free stores in Japan is a great way to save money on souvenirs.
(Feature image credit: Julie Fader/Unsplash)
Related | The Art of Crafts: A Window to Japanese Culture
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
We may earn an affiliate commission when you shop through links on our site.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are popular Japanese snacks to bring home in winter?
We recommend Meiji Liquor Chocolate Winter Limited Rum & Raisin, instant miso soup cubes, Calbee seaweed and salt potato chips, Spicy Tantanmen (Sesame & Chili Ramen) cup noodles, Yakiimo (Japanese sweet potato) snacks, Muji instant curry packets, Japanese curry cubes, Ichigo daifuku (strawberry mochi stuffed with red bean paste), Pistachio flavored KitKat and chestnut sweets as popular Japanese snacks to bring home in winter.
Can I bring Japanese sake or tea back to my country?
Yes, you can bring Japanese sake and tea back to your country. However, be sure to check your airline’s specific limits for alcohol, as these typically range from 2 to 5 liters depending on the destination. Tea generally has no strict limit when purchased for personal use or as gifts, as long as you are not buying in bulk to resell.
Are winter souvenirs in Japan expensive?
Most winter souvenirs in Japan are reasonably priced. For snacks and small souvenirs, expect to spend anywhere between 200 and 1,500 JPY. Winter-themed items can be more expensive when bought at airports and tourist sites. Hence, it’s cheaper to shop at supermarkets, 100 Yen stores, Thank You Mart, and Don Quijote.
Do Japanese convenience stores sell good souvenirs?
Yes, Japanese convenience stores offer a variety of souvenirs. You can find snacks, sweets, regional treats, cosmetic items, and small seasonal gifts at most convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart. However, they are slightly more expensive than the ones at supermarkets and discount stores.
What skincare products are best for Japan’s winter season?
When shopping for skincare products in Japan during winter, look for moisturizing creams, hydrating sheet masks, lip balms, hand creams, and lotions formulated for dry skin. Some iconic Japanese skincare brands locals love here are Hada Labo, Shiseido, SK-II, Curel, and Muji.
Are there seasonal sales or discounts in winter in Japan?
Winter is when one of the biggest shopping sales and discounts in Japan takes place. Year-end bargains begin from late December, followed by New Year Sales in early January and Winter Clearance sales from late January to early February.
Written By
Sharon Alphonso
Sharon is from Mumbai and currently lives in Tokyo with her Japanese husband. Before moving to Japan, ..Read Moreshe worked with POPxo, Grazia and MTV India. She now writes for several English magazines in Japan, including Savvy Tokyo, Tokyo Weekender, and GoConnect Japan. Her favourite way to unwind is to listen to lo-fi music while reading a book and sipping on a matcha latte. Read Less
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