In Tokyo and are looking for gifts to bring back to friends and family? Or perhaps you’re planning to visit Tokyo and are wondering which shops you should visit to get the perfect omiyage (gifts) to bring back home? Tokyo can definitely be a overwhelming city without a guide, but with minimal digging, literally every nooks and cranny of this town is filled with wonderful shops selling all kinds of product that is definitely viable as gifts to bring back home.

But if you’re short on time, you’ve landed on a very helpful article! We’ve rounded up three of our favorite shops, where you can get the essential gifts to bring back.

Ginza Itoya

Ginza Itoya, as its name suggest, is located in Ginza. A seven-floor mega stationary store that offers all kinds of stationary goods. From high-quality Japanese made papers to pen and pencils, many tourists and residence alike visit the store everyday looking for the right souvenirs.

^This is is Ginza Itoya’s most famous “wall-paper”, offering literally, hundresds of selection of paper and type of color. At Itoya, customers not only see, but also be able to feel and experience the texture of each paper that is made exclusively in Japan by talented makers.

 

Beams Japan Shinjuku

On August 2016, Beams Japan relaunched one of their flagship store in Shinjuku. Bigger, better, and definitely more hip! You’ll find a myriad of goods from shirts, crafts, to even mugs that you can customize with logos that are designed to be a blend of traditional and modern.

Unlike your traditional Beams store, this store spans a whole 6 floors of Beams goodies.

Up on the second floor, for example – labelled ‘Fashion and Design’ – you’ll find quirky wearables for both women and men, including Toyo Enterprise’s ‘Souvenir Jacket’ and rare sweatshirts by Loopwheeler. The limited clothing and product lines is only limited to this shop, so you’ll be sure to leave this shop with a fresh shirt or two that will definitely spice up your old wardrobe.

 

Hasegawa Saketen

For the sake lover out there, you’re in for a treat. Part of a city-wide chain, Hasegawa Saketen has a good lineup of high-quality yet reasonably priced nihonshu (sake) and other tidbits such as snacks that goes good with nihonshu. The sleek interior is definitely different than most sake establishments, a true testament to the spirit of the modern Tokyo. Staffs are friendly, and are always willing to give you a hand to find the best bottle for your tastes.

Another year, another summer in Japan; when the sun is scorching and humidity is at a all time high, Japanese turn to the most best possible way to make the heat more bearable. Some escape to department stores, some wear traditional clothes such as yukata.

Though in our opinion, eating Japan’s traditional summer dessert kakigori is the way to go. Not only its delectable it cools you from the inside out.

On this article, we’d like to introduce you three hottest (no pun intended) kakigori establishment in Japan. What makes this cafe stands out from the rest you ask? The three that we will list are artisanal kakigori that are made different than most normal kakigori.

Ballon D’essai

Known for its quality coffee and latte art, Ballon D’essai is also known for one other secret menu that is loved amongst many people in Tokyo, its Original Blend Espresso Kakigori. Of course it being a coffee shop, their most famous kakigori is also that of a coffee flavor. But do not be mistaken if you thought this is just a cup of ice coffee in shaved ice form.

Ice and milk are combined to create a soft, smooth body. At the bottom of the bowl, adding more texture, is softened ice cream and homemade coffee jelly. The final touch to a already grand dessert is a shot of their homemade espresso poured into the middle of the kakigori.

Chimoto

A small unassuming shop located at a residential area, Chimoto serves one of our most loved kakigori in Tokyo. Our favorite is their number one selling kakigori, a mix of two classic flavors of kakigori, Milk and Matcha in one kakigori.

The result is one of the most flavorful, yet subtle kakigori we’ve ever tasted. Coupled with a cup of their tasty houjicha (roasted green tea), this is one shop you don’t want to miss this summer.

 

Ice Monster Japan

Hailing from Japan’s neighboring country, Ice Monster is a Taiwan original store specializing in shaved ice. Opened in April 2015 in Omotesando, Ice Monster have been reinventing the kakigori scene in Japan for its unusual flavored ice block. The resulting shaved ice is a smooth, fluffy shaved ice experience

Try their Tapioca Milk Tea or Mango Kakigori. Guaranteed to not dissapoint.

 

On this upcoming August 4th, one of the most beautiful event in Tokyo will be held near the Imperial Palace. It’s called Chiyoda-ku Noryo no Yube (Lantern Floating Event), where you and your loved ones or friends, can board a small row boat and enjoy the spectacular scenery of 600 beautifully light-up lanterns gently swaying in the moat of the Imperial Palace.

We recommend you not to miss this event, especially with the blistering summer heat, there’s no better time to gush down a pint of beer and enjoy the night scenery of the imperial palace surrounded by beautiful lanterns and LED illumination.

To participate in this event, a booking is required to secure yourself a boat on the day of the event. While the reservation goes out real fast, do not fret, as viewing from the side is just as beautiful and panoramic.

A night of Firefly watching and local delicacy

At the back of Mt. Takao lies a special restaurant that lights up wonderfully green at night, thanks to the natural spectacle of fireflies that inhibits the place. Ukai Chikutei is a restaurant serving special kaiseki course that starts from ¥10,000 upwards, while steep on the price side, the scenery you get to immerse in is something out of the ordinary. Only in August

 

Asakusa Toro Nagashi

Every year in Sumida Park, between Azumabashi and Kototoibashi, is a lantern festival that has been going for the past 11 years. Lighting your own lantern will cost you back ¥1500, but enjoying the amazing scenery of dancing flames flowing through the river is completely free.

 

Skytree’s Goldfish Exhibition

  

If you’ve ever been to a Japanese summer festival then you would know that goldfish is a main staple of summer festival in Japan. Kids and even adults will crowd the goldfish stall in hope of capturing and bringing back their own small goldfish back home. Skytree, in their own way of celebrating summer festival have decided to bring goldfish in the form of semi-modern display. Display are designed with edo period motifs coupled with fuurin wind bells, which is also a staple of summer in Japan.

 

Japan’s traditional summer treat, kakigori (shaved ice with flavored syrup), have been the go-to cooling dessert amidst the sweltering heat in Tokyo. Kakigori once to be a simple dessert that requires only simple preparation have evolved into a dessert category of its own, with many shops opening up in Tokyo that specializes in only kakigori. This burst in popularity for the humble dessert stems from the opening of Taiwanese import Ice Monster and other smaller shops that sells kakigori.

Sebastián

This one is a oddball. Shaved ice meets cream cake, which they call ‘dolce shaved ice’. Don’t let the fancy name fool you, it is still traditionally a kakigori but with its own twist. Their most famous kakigori is the Mango shortcake kakigori, and to be able to witness how they make it is another fascinating aspect of this kakigori. Layers of ice, mango syrup, with a little touch of whip cream and mango is crafted in such a elegant and mesmerizing way.

Wa Kitchen Kanna

Natural ice from Nikko is served with hand-made syrups featuring rarities like shiruko, purple sweet potato, or seasonal selections. This Japanese restaurants is recommended as the place to visit not only for its famed kakigori but also for their Japanese dishes.

Kurogi

 

Kurogi is a specialist of artistic kakigori, each and every kakigori you ordered will come beautifully prepared and feels a-touch above the rest. Kurogi is also hidden away on Tokyo University’s Hongo campus, inside the Kengo Kuma-designed Daiwa Ubiquitous Research building. I personally enjoyed the perfect blend of its traditional dessert with its highly-stylized interior, it gives a nuance of a dessert being brought up for the modern taste bud. I also enjoyed the innovative kakigori selection, which combines traditional standard and creativeness in seasonal creations. If you ever plan to try this place out, don’t forget to pair it with a cup of Sarutahiko coffee, it’s a match made in heaven.