Is someone on your luxury gift list a Japanophile – someone who loves Japan and its culture? Then why not get them a luxury gift that celebrates Japanese culture and artisanal design? We’ve curated a luxury holiday gift edit for Japanophiles, with the best traditional artisanal gifts from brands in Japan, for those who love Japanese art, culture and cuisine.
what are the best luxury gifts from Japanese brands right now?
Japan has a rich history and culture, so it’s small wonder that you’re in need of a luxury gift for one or more Japanophiles. From the electric metropolis of Tokyo to the charm of Kyoto, to its gorgeous mountain ranges, Japan has more than a lifetime’s worth of sights to see, history to learn and culture to appreciate.
Many people are fascinated by Japanese culture and history, and want to learn more. Others have lived there and feel nostalgic. Some are arm-chair travelers who dream of visiting. And other lucky ones have a trip already planned and would love a thoughtful gift from a luxury brand that authentically offers the best of Japan.
Luxury holiday gift edit for Japanophiles, with the best traditional gifts from brands in Japan, for those who love Japanese culture, art and cuisine.
Whatever the reason, this luxury gift guide is filled with ideas for items and experiences for anyone who loves Japan and wants to celebrate Japanese culture. Whether for the holidays, a birthday, an anniversary, or just because, if you’re seeking a luxury gift for the Japanophiles in your life, we’re pretty sure you’ll find the perfect present somewhere on this list.
best luxury gifts from Japanese brands
1. DamDam Bestseller Set
Let’s start off with an easy crowd pleaser: skincare products. There are many Japanese skincare lines you should have on your radar, and DamDam is one of them. They are Japan’s first clean skincare line, and they use all-natural and ancestral ingredients in order to create a connection between the human body and the natural world. They are based in Tokyo, and all of their products are made in Japan. And in this set of their fabulous bestsellers, you’ll find two cleansers, a hydrating essence, and a luminous cream – the perfect gift.
BUY NOW – $42.00.
2. Pitera First Experience Kit
And a second skincare gift, this one for someone you really love – someone for whom you’re willing to go all-out. This treatment comes from SK-II, a decades-old Japanese cosmetics line whose products make use of Pitera. Pitera is a natural liquid created through yeast fermentation, and it is unique in its success in anti-aging products. If you have a skincare nut in your life, a gift of the Pitera First Experience kit is the best way to introduce them to this incredible ingredient, and who knows – it may even change their life.
BUY NOW – $110.00.
3. Poster of Hokusai’s The Great Wave Off Kanagawa
We could create an entire separate guide, dedicated entirely to gifts for lovers of Japanese art. But we’ll keep things simple. Katsushika Hokusai is an icon of Japanese art history, and his woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa is among one of the most well-known masterpieces by any artist in the world. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston offers this transportive piece in poster-form, and we know any Japanophile would be glad to have it in their home.
BUY NOW – $22.95.00.
4. Hokusai Paint by Numbers
Do you know a young art lover in the making? Consider getting them this Hokusai Paint by Numbers, courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This could also make a good gift for an adult who needs a relaxing pastime.
BUY NOW – $29.99.
5. Momotaro: Selvedge Denim Regular Rise Women’s Jeans
It’s all about the denim! Japan is known its jeans, and though they would make a more extravagant gift than some of the other items on this list, they’re worth the price. These jeans are nothing like the ones you’ll find at H&M – they are works of art, made with at highest level of craft. And for those not in-the-know, “selvedge” refers to the highest-quality denim on the market – it’s woven more slowly, and is a heavier weight. If you want to get someone a gift that’s truly special, consider getting them this pair of Momotaro jeans.
BUY NOW – $315.00.
6. Seagull Embroidery Denim Jacket
If you like the idea of getting someone denim, but pants don’t seem festive enough, then how about a denim jacket? Evisu is another acclaimed brand of Japanese denim, and we are obsessed with this black jacket from their fall 2023 collection. This is a gift that the recipient will never forget – the magical seagull embroidery really seals the deal.
BUY NOW – $449.00.
7. Punyus Tomato Cardigan
Japanese comedian Naomi Watanabe is a superstar, and her clothing line Punyus is as cool as she is. Unfortunately, it can be hard to get items from Punyus the United States – but we did manage to track down this fabulous tomato cardigan. Keep tomato girl summer going for the rest of the year with this extra-special gift.
BUY NOW – $99.00.
8. Oishii Berries
And while we’re on the subject of juicy, red fruits, how about the gift of some Oishii berries? We wrote all about the Japanese practice of giving luxury fruit as a gift, and Oishii berries are the best strawberries you will ever, ever taste. The Omakase Berry and The Koyo Berry are both immaculate in taste, texture, and appearance, and they are now available in select stores in the United States. If you are gifting someone in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Washington D.C, you may have found the perfect gift. Call stores ahead of time to confirm availability.
9. Japan: The Cookbook by Nancy Singleton Hachisu
Released in 2018, this bestselling cookbook includes more than 400 recipes from food writer Nancy Singleton Hachisu. It’s also a beautiful coffee table book and a great gift, filled with enticing images of delicious food. Your friends and families will be racing to your kitchen to try and replicate them.
BUY NOW – $35.99.
10. Master Class: Japanese Cooking with Niki Nakayama
Or if you’d like to give recipes alongside a little more instruction, how about a subscription to master class? Anyone would be lucky to learn from these eighteen video lessons with Niki Nakayama, who is the chef and owner of the Michelin-starred LA restaurant n/naka. Here she offers a tutorial on Japanese cooking, including the tools and pantry essentials necessary to get started.
BUY NOW – $10/month.
11. Gyutou Knife
If you’re looking for a new hobby, there’s an entire universe of knives made in Japan – feel free to explore it. But if you’d like to keep things easy – you’re here to pick out a gift for someone else, after all – then you can trust us: this is the knife to get. According to Food & Wine, Gyutou knives – like this one – are the most versatile, because they can work with vegetables as well as meats. And since Tojiro is one of the best-known Japanese brands, that’s what we’re suggesting to you today. Gifts are all about hitting those “best-of” marks, and that’s what this fabulous knife accomplishes.
BUY NOW – $99.58.
12. First Films of Akira Kurosaw
As with visual art, we could create an entire gift guide using only references to Japanese cinema. It was hard to limit ourselves, but we kept it to the best of the best – DVDs straight from the criterion collection. This box set is special, because it compiles Kurosawa’s earliest films – ones produced years before Rashomon, that are not often seen.
BUY NOW – $59.99.
13. Spirited Away Notebook
It can be difficult to find official Studio Ghibli merchandise in the United States – and how sad, since we’re already so envious of those who get to visit Tokyo’s Studio Ghibli Museum. But we love the whimsy of this Spirited Away notebook, and we know it may help to fill the void for some devoted Miyazaki fans (at least until we get a US release date for The Boy and the Heron).
BUY NOW – $8.99.
14. The Japanese Garden by Sophie Walker
Published in 2017, The Japanese Garden remains the most thorough deep dive through the history of the Japanese garden. It pores over the past eight centuries, compiling thoughtful essays and stunning images of 100 different gardens throughout time.
BUY NOW – $53.39.
15. Wood Vase
Have you heard about Japandi? The interior design trend that combines Japanese and Scandinavian influence, we are predicting that we will see this blended style everywhere in the coming months and years. And your gift recipient can say they had it first. This wooden vase fits the bill: it’s a neutral color, made with a natural material, and is functional in its design. We think it would add something special to any space – and we bet they would too.
BUY NOW – $59.00.
best luxury gifts from Japanese brands
That’s it! Our luxury holiday gift edit for Japanophiles, with the best traditional artisanal gifts from brands in Japan, for those who love Japanese art, culture and cuisine. Happy shopping!
