When it comes to technological prowess, Japan is really in a league of its own as dedicated craftsmen fuse the techniques passed down to them from their ancestors with modern innovations. This leads to many rather fascinating tools, some of which are only found in Japan! Won’t you want to learn more about such tools? Since they are all easily found in Tokyo, you do not have to search high and low for them. All the easier for you to purchase these useful tools as must-have souvenirs!

Apprehensive to tour Japan because you cannot read Japanese and hence, order off the menus? Don’t worry. Your worry is unfounded, because many restaurants place attractive looking sampuru (food replicas) on display outside their stores. These food replicas may be made from molded plastic resin, but they are created by professional craftsmen with so much attention to detail that they look like real food! Whetting your appetite, these replicas let you foresee the range of dishes offered so that you can order confidently the dishes that appeal to you. Plus, these authentic looking replicas have in recent years gained traction as a fashion statement, so if you visit Kappabashi (or Kitchen Town as it is known in English) in Tokyo, you will have a lovely time shopping for souvenirs that run the whole gamut: keychains, iPhone cases, fridge magnets, among others. Food replicas epitomize quaintness, I would say!

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you must be aware of Pokémon GO, the addictive augmented reality smartphone game that has taken the world by storm. Can’t get enough of adorable Pikachu? Now bring your love for it to the next level by purchasing eye-catching Pikachu-themed leather accessories from Ojada Design. The founder, Sei Ogawa, upon travelling to Africa and realizing how leather was utilized in African drums, had a brainwave of leveraging leather to realize his designs for animated accessories. Artisans painstakingly sew every accessory by hand down to the last stitch, which makes it a one-of-a-kind exclusive items! Prospective shoppers are spoilt for choice. From Pikachu-themed bags and purses to key holders and even pouches featuring Poke Balls, Ojada Design’s collection is comprehensive and impressive!

Ever heard of eye masks, water purifiers and even toothbrushes that contain charcoal? They may seem like harmful substances, but what if I tell you that the charcoal that is used in all these products is binchotan charcoal, an invention that dates all the way back to the Edo period?! Composed of oak branches fired in ceramic kilns at smothering hot temperatures, binchotan charcoal is packed full of benefits: it removes odours; it absorbs impurities from water, air and skin; and it releases vital minerals like calcium and iron into water. Hence, binchotan charcoal goes a long way in purifying your environment and improving your health! Not forgetting its cool rustic appearance that serves to brighten up your living space. Many home improvement shops and hardware stores sell binchotan charcoal. To save you the hassle of doing research, I suggest that you buy it from Tanagokoro in Ginza.

Edo kiriko is cut glass made by applying various techniques that embed clear colors and intricate patterns into the glass. Pioneered in 1834 by Kagaya Kyubei who used emery powder to produce glassware engraved with patterns, Edo kiriko synthesizes the best of Edo period artistic sensibilities and sophisticated modern techniques. Paying homage to popular designs in the Edo period, the glassware still embraces traditional designs like nanako (fish scales), yarai (arrow shapes) and kagome (basket weave), thus lending a refined sense of elegance to your living space. You may wish to check out Hanashyo’s extensive range of merchandise ranging from glasses and plates to lamps and even jewellery!

Drawing sessions that mess up your table or floor are a thing of the past. Thanks to Taiyo Toryo’s invention known as “Masking Color”, not only can you carry a series of bottles that depicts 12 basic colors along with you, you can also squeeze the paint out of each bottle easily if you use it like a pen nib. Truly effecting a paradigm shift in doodling! Moreover, you do not have to worry about making a mess as the illustrations that you draw with “Masking Color” turn into portable stickers within a blink of an eye. Talk about fulfilling your artistic tendencies while keeping the environment spick and span!

Don’t you feel your veins pulsing with excitement at the thought of getting all these artisanal tools? Don’t you want to get these products that will add a dose of unconventionality and fun into your life? Book your next flight to Tokyo now!