I traveled to Tokyo in fall 2023 and I still think about my trip on a daily basis. From the sights to the rich culture to the food to the shopping and style, it’s truly my favorite place on earth. (Not to mention, the cleanest and safest place I’ve ever been.) Japanese style tends to run more minimal, modern, and loose-fitting. Plus, it’s the best place in the world for vintage shopping so everyone has great purses and accessories—I’m talking the kind you save on your Pinterest board.
Then there’s the shoe culture; everyone wears the latest sneaker trend since you do so much walking there—or something modern and statement-making like Tabis. As a beauty lover,, the finds there are so innovative and next level. Dry shampoo sheets to throw in your purse for touch ups throughout the day? Brilliant! Even the drugstores are filled with the hottest J-beauty (and K-beauty, and the products are affordable so everyone has glossy hair and glass skin. The makeup style is very lightweight and dewy, and popular perfumes tend to be lightweight and skin-like.
Every time I open TikTok, I see someone traveling to Japan, posting a haul or their shopping adventures, so I don’t think I’m alone when it comes to my love for the city. And while gifting a trip is slightly out of my budget, gifting a pair of shoes or pants that remind me of the city is not. From trending sleek sneakers to vintage finds and minimalist pants you’d see on Tokyo ‘It’ girls, here’s my Japan-themed gift guide.
12 Japan-Inspired Gifts for the Holiday
Trending Silhouette: Puma Mostro Velvet Dream Sneaker, $120; nordstorm.com
Coolest Pants: Free People Movement Finish Line Pants, $148; freepeople.com
One-of-a-Kind: Fendi Pre-Loved Flap Hobo Zucca Canvas, $1,100; amazon.com
Japan’s Top Scent: Maison Marigela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette Fragrance, $76 (Originally $89); nordstrom.com
Japanese Designer: Pleats Please Issey Miyake Pleated Zip Front Hoodie, $650: nordstrom.com
Uniqlo Pile-Lined Fleece Relaxed Cardigan, $50; uniqlo.com
Coach Ellie Bag Charm In Shearling, $195; coach.com
Stand Oil More Faux Leather Baguette Bag, $119; nordstrom.com
Adidas Tokyo Shoes, $90; adidas.com
Anessa Perfect UV Skin Care Milk, $32 (Originally $35); amazon.com
Leset Margo Layered Long-Sleeve Top, $140; leset.com
Decorte Liposome Advanced Repair Serum, $82; nordstrom.com
Puma Mostro Velvet Dream Sneaker
Nordstrom
If you can’t get your hands on the always-sold-out Onitsuka Tigers, these velvet Puma sneakers with velcro straps are so cool and futuristic-looking. The sleek profile is on trend and this style is easy to wear with pants, skirts, and dresses. I averaged 16,000 steps a day when I was in Japan, so comfy shoes are of extreme importance.
Free People Movement Finish Line Pants
Free People
These Free People pants are very reminiscent of a local Japanese brand Moussy. The extra skirt-like fabric in the front adds loads of visual interest to the baggy silhouette. Pair it with a loose-fitting white tee and the aforementioned Puma sneakers, and you’ll look like a Tokyo ‘It’ girl.
Fendi Pre-Loved Flap Hobo Zucca Canvas
Amazon
I dream of the vintage shopping in Japan because the options are so plentiful and everything is in such good condition. This Fendi hobo looks just like the one I scored there; I’ve never seen this color before, and I know it will make every outfit look instantly cooler. It’s a statement piece for sure, and I know I’d have a mini freak out if I saw this bag sitting under the tree.
Uniqlo Pile-Lined Fleece Relaxed Cardigan
Uniqlo
I’d be terrible at my job if I sourced a Japanese style gift guide without including Uniqlo. After all, it’s a Japanese brand and every in-the-know dresser has many of the brand’s staples sitting in their closet. I love a fleece pullover, but this cardigan version feels slightly more elevated. Plus, I saw so many girls in Tokyo wearing this cozy staple.
Coach Ellie Bag Charm In Shearling
Coach
Walk past a cool girl on the streets of Tokyo and she will, without a doubt, have some type of purse charm on her bag. If you can’t get your hands on a Labubu, this plushie from Coach is just as adorable and dainty. It adds a little bit of character to any outfit and is obviously a compliment-magnet.
Maison Marigela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette Fragrance
Nordstrom
Cosme is the Japanese Sephora equivalent, and each week, it ranks the top-selling products in every category. When I visited in 2023, this perfume was the best seller and two years later, it still remains in the top spot. Japanese culture is very demure and respectful, so perfumes aren’t loud, heavy, and cloying. This scent from Margiela includes notes of musk, aldehydes, and rose. It smells light and airy—like fresh sheets and damp mornings.
Pleats Please Issey Miyake Pleated Zip Front Hoodie
Nordstrom
Issey Miyake is a heritage Japanese brand, and pleats are its speciality, so styles like this are very popular. The brand does a great job of taking standard basics like this sweatshirt and reworking it into something cool and sophisticated.
Stand Oil More Faux Leather Baguette Bag
Nordstrom
Stand Oil is a popular Korean handbag brand, but thanks to its proximity to Japan and social media, you’ll see lots of the bags being carried there, too. This east-west baguette silhouette is super popular right now and makes for the perfect everyday bag. Add a bag charm like the aforementioned Coach plushie and you’re good to go.
Anessa Perfect UV Skin Care Milk
Amazon
This Anessa sunscreen is the 6th best-seller in Cosme’s SPF category. The milky texture is hydrating and sinks into the skin without making it feel greasy or sticky. Per shoppers, the waterproof formula “calms redness” and “acts as a primer” for makeup applications.
Shop more Japan-inspired fashion and beauty finds, below.
Adidas Tokyo Shoes
adidas
Leset Margo Layered Long-Sleeve Top
LESET
Decorte Liposome Advanced Repair Serum
Nordstrom
AloJapan.com