Hokkaido

Port of Hakodate

• Hakodate’s night view

  

  Hakodate’s night view is thought to be the most beautiful in the world. Town lights at night on the narrowest part of the peninsula look like earth-bound constellations.

   

• Goryokaku

  

  Goryokaku is a Western-style fortress shaped like a five-pointed star. It is surrounded by 1,600 cherry trees in spring, while it is beautifully illuminated in winter.

   

Port of Otaru

• Crystal craft

  

  In the past, bobbers used for fishing were made of glass, and many of these were manufactured in Otaru, along with objects like lamps. On Otaru/Sakaimachi-hondori Street, there are many crystal craft shops that still use traditional glass-making techniques.

   

• Music box

  

  A typical souvenir from Otaru is the music box. The sounds it emits will make you feel nostalgic for the beautiful streets of Otaru.

   

Tohoku

Port of Aomori

• Aomori Ringo (Aomori Apple)

  

  Aomori is one of Japan’s leading apple-growing districts. Aomori fresh apples as well as apple juice and apple-based snacks are all top notch.

   

• Tsugarunuri (Japanese lacquer ware)

  

  Tsugarunuri are a durable and exquisite lacquer ware. The process of repeated applications of lacquer, drying, and rubbing down is one of the distinctive features of Tsugarunuri. The most common items are kitchen ware such as bowls and chopsticks. Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture is a major production area for Tsugaru-nuri.

   

Kanto

Port of Tokyo

• Kaminari okoshi (Kaminari sweet snack)

  

  This is a traditional Japanese sweet snack with origins in the Edo period was made in the Asakusa District of Tokyo. It is well known as one of Tokyo’s most popular souvenirs.

   

• Edo kiriko (Edo cut glass)

  

  Edo kiriko is a glass-cutting handicraft that began in the late Edo period. One of the distinctive characteristics is its traditional combination of chrysanthemums and bamboo patterns. It was designated as one of Japan’s Traditional Handicrafts.

   

Port of Yokohama

• Shumai (Chinese dumpling)

  

  Shumai are a dim sum item that originated in China. Yokohama Chinatown serves a broad variety of Chinese foods including shumai. Shumai are a well-known Yokohama specialty.

   

• Scarf

  

  Silk scarves were created in Yokohama, which was a major producer and exporter of silk fabric at the end of the Edo period. Since then, scarves from Yokohama have developed an excellent reputation.

   

Chubu

Port of Kanazawa

• Kinpaku (gold leaf)

  

  99% of Japan’s gold leaf is manufactured in Ishikawa Prefecture.

   

• Wa-gashi (Japanese cake)

  

  Wa-gashi originates from and were refined in Kanazawa where the culture of Tea Ceremony flourished since ancient times. Wa-gashi not only look splendid, but they also taste wonderful.

   

Port of Niigata

• Koshi-hikari (famous brand of Japanese rice)

  

  Niigata is the leading rice-producing prefecture in Japan. In particular, Koshi-hikari brand renowned throughout Japan for its exquisite flavor.

   

• Le Lectier (pear)

  

  Le Lectier is an outstanding variety of pear harvested only in winter. One bite and you will be hooked!

   

Port of Shimizu

• Shizuoka cha (Shizuoka tea)

  

  Shizuoka cha is Japan’s famous green tea brand manufactured in Shizuoka Prefecture, the leading tea-producing area in Japan.

   

• Sakura ebi (Sakura shrimp)

  

  The Sakura shrimp is a very small crustacean only caught in the Suruga Bay, Shizuoka Prefecture. Cooked Sakura shrimps are a perfect souvenir to bring back home.

   

Kansai

Port of Kobe

• Nada no sake (sake of Nada)

  

  Nada district boasts high quality rice and mineral-rich water, both of which are essential for sake brewing. Besides sake, Kobe wine is also well-reputed.

   

• Fashion

  

  Kobe clothes, Kobe shoes, chemical shoes and pearls are recognized both in Japan and overseas as possessing a style particular to Kobe.

   

Port of Osaka

• Plastic fake food samples

  
  
  © Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

  Doguya-suji (the street for food service industry) in Nanba District, Osaka has a full range of whatever food service industry products needed for cooking, serving or displaying, including kitchen tools and kitchenware like refrigerators, oven, sinks, dishes, cups, etc. They also have plastic fake food samples for display in restaurant fronts, etc. They even carry food model key chains for tourists to take home as souvenirs.

   

• Shio kombu (salty dried kelp)

  

  Since Osaka started trading with Hokkaido in the late Edo period, Shio konbu made of Hokkaido’s natural kelp has been playing an important role in Osaka people’s home cooking recipes.

   

Chugoku

Port of Hagi

• Hagi yaki (Hagi ware)

  

  Hagi yaki dates back 400 years. It is manufactured around Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Many Hagi yaki potters are located in this area.

   

• Natsumikan (Chinese citron)

  

  Hagi is also very popular for Chinese citron trees. Chinese citron can be seen all over the Hagi region. They are used in the manufacture of juice, jelly and marmalade.

   

Port of Hiroshima

• Shamoji (rice paddle)

  

  Shamoji is a tool used to scoop rice and serve it into a bowl. It is Miyajima’s specialty and often such words like “Victory” or “Success in business” are inscribed on the back of this rice paddle.

   

• Kumano Fude

  
  
  Photo Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

  Not only for the purposes of writing characters and pictures, Japanese brushes are recently made for make-up. Its superb quality is gaining attention from abroad as well.

   

Port of Sakai

• Yokai (Japanese monster) goods

  

  A variety of more than 100 Yokai (Japanese monster) goods stand side by side on the Mizuki-Shigeru Road in Sakai Minato City.

   

• Yumihama gasuri (Yumihama fabric)

  

  This is a cotton fabric made in the Yumigahama Peninsula near Saki Minato, Tottori Prefecture. It is dyed with indigo to form a pattern called Kissho-mon (lucky sign) that ensures family happiness.

   

Port of Uno

• Bizen yaki (Bizen ware)

  

  Bizen yaki is an art using earth and fire with a history of 1,000 years. Its unglazed, natural, subdued colors together with its simple shape are a real eye pleaser.

   

• Gobara shikki (Gobara lacquer ware)

  

  Gobara shikki has a history of 600 years. Chestnut trees are used to make Gobara shikki. Raw lacquer is applied on the outer side to enhance the wood grain appearance.

   

Shikoku

Port of Takamatsu

• Sanuki shikki (Sanuki lacquer ware)

  

  Sanuki shikki ware has been designated as one of Japan’s Traditional Handicrafts. It ranges from room furniture to utility articles such as trays and tea cup saucers.

   

• Uchiwa (paper fan, round in shape)

  

  Marugame City located near Konpira-san temple is the leading paper fan producer in Japan. The red paper fan with an encircled kane (money) sign is perhaps the most familiar uchiwa, a perfect gift or souvenir from your visit to Konpira-san temple.

   

Port of Uwajima

• Uwajima pearl

  

  Uwajima is one of the leading pearl-farming regions in Japan. Uwajima cultured pearls are believed to be the highest quality in Japan.

   

• Uwajima’s local toys

  

  In Uwajima City, there are unique local toys using motifs from Uwajima’s traditional events such as bull fights or “Ushi-oni” (a Japanese monster with the head of a cow and body of a devil) festivals.

   

Kyushu

Port of Beppu

• Yunohana

  

  Yunohana is a sophisticated bathing preparation, extracted, in the Yunohana Hut from the vapor of Beppu hot springs. Sprinkle some in your bath tub and enjoy Beppu hot springs in the comfort of your own home.

   

• Take Zaiku (bamboo work)

  

  The making of Beppu bamboo baskets traces back to the Edo period, when the hot springs of Beppu became well-known throughout the country. Visitors to the Beppu hot springs began bringing household items like bamboo baskets or sieves with them into the baths, which eventually turned Beppu a local bamboo craft center.

   

Port of Hakata

• Hakata Doll

  

  Hakata doll, characterized by their elegant figures and subtle facial expressions, are exported as Japan's representative dolls.

   

• Hakata Ori (Hakata Textiles)

  

  The traditional design of Hakata-ori has been incorporated in everyday items, winning a high reputation throughout Japan for their original blending of ancient tradition and modern taste.

   

Port of Kagoshima

• Satsuma kiriko (Satsuma cut glass)

  
  
  © K.P.V.B

  Satsuma kiriko were manufactured in Kagoshima at the end of Edo period. The industry has been revived and they are now available for sale.

   

• Satsuma yaki (Satsuma ware)

  
  
  © K.P.V.B

  Satsuma yaki is pottery manufactured in the prefecture of Kagoshima. It has a history of more than 400 years and is well-known throughout the world as SATSUMA.

   

Port of Miyazaki

• Hyuga no hyottoko (a fire man who puckers his lips to blow fire from a bamboo tube)

  

  Hyottoko Summer Festival in Hyuga City, Miyazaki Prefecture features dancing by locals with the unique “Hyottoko” mask. Hyottoko masks come in 18 different designs.

   

• Mango

  

  Special efforts are made to keep fully ripened mangos from Miyazaki held up on the stem until they are ready to drop off. This is the secret to their reputation as the best mangos in Japan.

   

Port of Nagasaki

• Hasami yaki / Mikawachi yaki (Hasami & Mikawachi Porcelain)

  

  Hasami yaki and Mikawachi yaki have a 400 year history and are believed to be one of the leading ceramics of the Kyushu region, along with Arita, Imari and Karatsu.

   

• Pearl

  

  Nagasaki is an important pearl-producing prefecture, along with Mie and Ehime prefectures. In particular, it is famous for the production of Ohdama (large-sized pearls).

   

Okinawa

Port of Ishigaki

• Shima togarashi (Island hot pepper)

  

  Shima togarashi is sprinkled over Yaeyama Soba and ramen. Be careful not to sprinkle too much as it gets spicy quickly.

   

• Ishigaki no shio (Ishigaki Salt)

  

  Ishigaki no shio uses only seawater collected about 2 kilometers offshore of Nakura Bay, which has been registered as wetlands with Ramsar.

   

Port of Naha

• Shiisa (lion-shaped roof ornament of Okinawa)

  

  Shiisa are roof ornaments shaped as a legendary lion-like beast. These good-luck charms protect you against evil and you can place them inside your home as well.

   

• Ryukyu glass

  

  Ryuku glass refers to crystal crafts made using glassblowing techniques. They are manufactured primarily on the main island of Okinawa.