Marimari.com : Japan - What to Buy

An impressive souvenir to bring home to would be the Katana, or traditional Samurai sword. However, good quality genuine Katana can be very expensive. It could come to more than the combined expenses of the rest of your trip to Japan. Fortunately, some department stores do offer realistic imitations at an affordable price.

Mention Japan and the word 'Kimono' springs to mind. Although the kimono is synonymous with Japan, it is seldom worn by Japanese women now except perhaps on special occasions such as a school graduation or wedding day. Kimonos are very expensive, with prices ranging from �60,000 to �1 million. A cheaper alternative would be to get a Yukata (the cotton bathrobes worn in Ryokan). A Yukata has a distinctive Japanese look without the prohibitive price tag.

Bamboo grows in all parts of Japan and is widely utilized in making ornaments and domestic articles.

There are many types of Japanese dolls, each showing the features of a locality or a certain period in history. Such exquisite dolls are usually intended for display and not for playing with. A ningyo is unique and exquisitely dressed in kimono with styled hair. They make excellent souvenirs or gifts. Also available are the gogatsu-ningyo, or dolls dressed in samurai suits.

Fans used in Japanese dances have attractive, colorful designs. Excellent gifts for members of the family.

The making of durable Japanese lacquer ware is given much elaborate care, which is reflected in their high prices. The lacquer making process involves as many as 15 layers of lacquer and the finished products are often either dishes or furniture. Although bigger items are fairly expensive, smaller items are more affordable and easier to take home as souvenirs.

Paper lanterns produced in Gifu Prefecture are used during the summer season when they are hung over the verandas. They often make unique cultural souvenirs to bring home.

Plates, vases and tea utensils as well as purely artistic works are popular souvenir items.

Japanese cloisonn� work boasts of a fine jewel-like glitter and artistry in its design.

This charming artwork is created by inlaying gold and silver foil on the surface of black steel.

Japanese silk is superior in quality. Skilled dyeing techniques and original patterns make them some of the most exquisite and sought after fabric in the world.

Ukiyo-e literally means 'pictures from the floating world'. Much like the "Pop Art" of the West, Ukiyo-e has its roots in advertisements and posters. Today, these color prints showing scenes of life in present day Japan have been gaining favor with collectors both at home and abroad. Prices range from �5000 to �40,000. If you are interested in them, do try out the Oriental Bazaar in Shibuya, Tokyo. The prints found there are reasonably priced.