Japanese culture puts a great deal of importance on attention to detail- and that means that everything produced within the country is of the absolute highest possible quality. This is everything you should bring back from Japan- but there’s always more to see and discover!

All of these products can be transported across international borders. Most can also be bought tax-free- just show your passport while paying (note- tax-free is usually not offered at convenience stores).

I have also listed where you can find these products in parentheses after the product name. Happy shopping!

FOOD

• Meiji Rich Matcha Chocolate Sandwich Cookies- These cookies are so good, I couldn’t believe I bought them at a convenience store. Rich, chocolatey biscuits perfectly complement the earthy matcha cream filling. Buy more than you think you’ll want, trust me! (7-11, Family Mart, Lawson)

• Number Sugar caramels- I am a caramel connoisseur and I can confidently say that these are the most beautifully-crafted caramels I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. They have somehow managed to capture the silkiness of a fresh mango and tartness of raspberries, all in these small confections. Try every single flavor!  (Number Sugar boutiques)

• Meiji Kinoko no Yama- These are so good, I can’t believe that they’re a packaged snack! The cutest sweets, these little mushrooms have a cookie base and chocolate top- and they’re just as delicious as they are pretty. (7-11, Family Mart, Lawson)

• Mels Trois- Layers of blonde chocolate brownie, blonde chocolate caramel, and butter-rich sable create the ultimate sweet treat. (Shibuya Scramble Square depachika)

• Yoshimi Sapporo Okaki Oh! Yakitokibi Corn Snack- This corn snack is ungodly good. I opened the package and nearly finished the entire thing in one sitting! A must-try for fans of popcorn and salty snacks. (I found this in the duty free of Narita airport, though usually it is found in the northern region of Hokkaido)

• Meiji Matcha Almonds- Perfectly balanced, these almonds are covered with a coating of matcha white chocolate. The definition of “not too sweet.”  (7-11, Family Mart, Lawson)

• 7-11 Sweet Potato Paste Buns- Fans of cookie dough will love the texture of these- they’re super soft and make a delicious snack.  (7-11)

• Muji Baumkuchen- Baumkuchen is originally from Germany, but the Japanese have perfected it. At Muji, it’s sold in individual servings and comes in flavors like matcha, sweet potato, and maple. (Muji)

• Kashiwaya Lemo Cheese Tart- Asia loves cheese tarts, and these lemon ones are particularly delicious! Their packaging is really cute, making them the perfect gift. (Shibuya Tokyu Foodshow)

• Black Sesame Almonds- Black sesame has come to be one of my favorite flavors after visiting Japan- its rich nuttiness pairs so well with these almonds, making them an ideal snack. (Shibuya Tokyu Foodshow)

• Muji miso soup- I have been eating this soup every single day upon returning from Japan and it’s really the best! It’s ideal for an easy travel meal as well- all you need is hot water. (Muji)

• Press Butter Sand Cookies- These gourmet cookies are filled with buttercream in flavors like pistachio and strawberry. They make a perfect gift! (Shibuya Scramble Square depachika)

• Hi-Chew Premium Peach- Hi-Chews are one of my favorite candies for their texture and “juiciness.” The premium version has an even softer texture, almost like mochi. Japan has plenty of flavors that only exist here, so make sure to try them all! (7-11, Family Mart, Lawson)

• Muji Salted Caramel Cacao Truffles- These chocolate truffles are truly addictive. They’re wonderfully rich, with a crunch from the buttery caramel. (Muji)

• KitKats- I am not the biggest KitKat person, but Japan has so many different flavors to try! From matcha to sake to sea salt, there are hundreds of types to discover. (Don Quijote and Narita duty free)

• Milk Caramel Daifuku- These sweets are pillowy soft, almost like marshmallows, and filled with buttery caramel. (Lawson)

• 7-11 Rice Crackers with Seaweed- Salty and umami, these rice crackers are the perfect savory snack. (7-11)

BEAUTY

• LoveLiner liquid eyeliner- The best eyeliner I’ve ever used, this brand has won many awards for its product’s easy, detail-focused brush. (Cosme, Don Quijote)

• Kiss Me Heroine Make Long Curl Mascara Advanced Film- My favorite mascara of all time, it lengthens and adds volume without a clumpy or spidery look. (Cosme, Don Quijote)

• Missha Plumping Lip Essence- One of my favorite lip glosses, this product gives you plump, shiny lips without being sticky. (Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Sekkisui BB Cream- The ideal product for those like me who don’t wear foundation but still like to even out their skin tone. Light on the skin but stays on all day, even through high humidity. (Cosme, Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Kose Make Keep Mist- Japan’s favorite setting spray, this mist is light and refreshing and helps skin glow throughout the day. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Canmake Quick Lash Curler- Perfect for lifting lashes and setting eyebrows in place. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• KATE Stick Concealer- A great high-coverage concealer, this product is especially good for dark undereyes. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Heroine Make lash serum- The best lash serum I’ve ever used, this product helps lashes grow long and strong without causing any undereye darkness or orbital fat loss. (Cosme, Don Quijote)

SKINCARE

• Suisai Beauty Clear Gold Powder Wash- My favorite face wash, the individual packaging makes this product perfect for traveling with only a carry-on. (Cosme, Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV- My favorite sunscreen for a silky finish. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Perfect One moisture serum- A really great serum for dry skin, this product leaves your face feeling bouncy. (Cosme)

• Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioning Milk-  A gamechanger for dry skin. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Sekkisui eye cream- An award-winning eye cream, this product is perfect for overnight use. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Rosarium rose body soap- This liquid body wash leaves skin perfectly smooth with a feminine, rosy fragrance. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Daily Aroma yuzu hand cream- Perfectly moisturizing without being sticky or oily, this hand cream soaks in so quickly that you’ll forget you put it on. The scent is heavenly, especially if you love yuzu like me! (Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Biore UV Aqua Rich sunscreen- One of Asia’s most award-winning sunscreens, this product has a lovely finish on the skin and is the perfect base for makeup. (Cosme, Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Country & Stream Honey Eye Roll-On- With retinol and niacinamide for brightness, this refreshing under eye roll-on is one of my favorite parts of my skincare routine. (Cosme)

• Conc Wrinkle Injection- This undereye product is equipped with micro-needles that ensure the serum properly penetrates your skin. Perfect for use before bedtime. (Cosme)

• Cogit foot sheets- These sheets are stuck on the bottoms of your feet before bed, believing to pull out impurities while you sleep. My favorite versions are mugwort (calming) and geranium (balancing). (Don Quijote)

• Sheet Masks (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi):

• Keana Rice sheet masks
• Quality 1st sheet masks
• Choosy lip masks

HAIRCARE

• Jemile Fran Home Care Hair Treatment- This hair mask will have people asking if you’ve just come from the salon! (Cosme)

• Fino Premium Hair Oil- A lightweight hair oil that’s perfect for all hair types. (Cosme, Don Quijote)

• Diane shampoos and hair treatments- My favorite Japanese haircare brand, Diane offers shampoos and matching hair treatments for all sorts of hair needs, from damaged to dry to oily hair types. (Cosme, Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Japanese hairbrushes- Japan’s hairbrushes are easy on your hair and some are even designed especially for use on wet hair. (Cosme, Don Quijote)

HOME

• Knives- Japan makes the finest of knives, as known by any chef. I purchased my first ever carbon steel Japanese knife at Cutlery Tsubaya. (Cutlery Tsubaya and shops along Kappabashi Street)

• Hibi 10 Minutes Aroma- These small sticks resemble matches- but they’re actually incense! My favorite scents are Oak Moss and Mori no Toshokan (translating to Library in the Forest). (Tsutaya Books)

• Chopsticks- I love using chopsticks, especially when it comes to cooking. It’s easy to find high quality versions, both wood and metal. (Standard Products, Kappabashi Street stores, everywhere!)

• Ceramics- Japanese ceramics are a truly ancient art form- and there are so many gorgeous types. Check out Kappabashi Street for typical versions and Parco for more new-school designs. (Kappabashi Street, Parco)

• Japanese magazines and books- Japan has the coolest selection of coffee table books and magazines I’ve seen anywhere. Tsutaya Books even has niche magazines on commercial lighting, café design, and more! (Tsutaya Books)

OTHER

• Vintage clothing / luxury products- Tokyo has the best selection of vintage and secondhand clothing I have ever seen- and the prices are shocking (think Louboutins for $25!). The best area for vintage shopping in Tokyo is Shimokitazawa.

• Toothbrush- Japanese toothbrushes use much softer bristles than other countries, making them much gentler on teeth. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Ora2 Toothpaste- One of the best toothpastes I’ve ever used, it doesn’t have an artificial taste like most common brands in the West. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Ora2 me breath spray- I always keep one of these breath sprays in my purse for freshness throughout the day. (Don Quijote, Matsumoto Kiyoshi)

• Stationary- Stop by Itoya for stationary, greeting cards, and crafting supplies. Muji is also great for stationary and pens. (Itoya, Muji)

• Everything “kawaii”- Japan adores cuteness- and everything here is simply precious. From Japanese sushi erasers to mini envelopes to onigiri dog toys, there are plenty of lovely little things to bring home. (Itoya, Laforet, Daiso, everywhere!)

• Suitcases- In case you need a new suitcase, stop by Don Quijote- I recommend going very late at night or very early in the morning to beat the crowds. It’s open 24/7, so if you happen to be awake at 5 AM, that’s your best bet to have the place to yourself! (Don Quijote)