The Ultimate Japanese Christmas & Winter Holiday Gift Guide Updated Annually

The festive season is just around the corner and so with that said, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best Japanese items that are perfect for the holidays. The best part is that this guide is updated annually, so you can come back every year for new suggestions!

Whether you’re looking for a special gift for someone or want to serve some uniquely Japanese sweet treats at your holiday party – check out our recommendations below. 

Suehiro 3 Bottle Soy Sauce Gift Set (Usukuchi, Saishikomi & Smoked Shoyu)

For soy sauce aficionados, this Premium Shoyu Japanese Soy Sauce Gift Set crafted by Suehiro is the perfect gift choice for individuals with a refined palate. This exquisite collection showcases Suehiro's top-tier shoyu soy sauce varieties, allowing you to savor the full spectrum of their offerings.

Brewed in Tatsuno, Hyogo for over 130 years, Suehiro takes pride in using locally-sourced soybeans and wheat, as well as Tatsuno's mountain water, to create high-quality soy sauce.

Kalita Copper Wave Coffee Dripper + Glass Server + Paper Filters Set

Have a coffee lover in your life? Then, consider gifting them the Kalita Coffee Dripper set. This all-in-one solution covers your needs for coffee filter paper, a server, and more. What's even better? You can opt for the set in either copper or stainless steel, ensuring it aligns with whom you want to gift it to’s personal style and preference. 

Chayudo Uji Matcha Japanese Dorayaki Red Bean Pancake Snack

Chayudo's Uji Matcha Dorayaki are a delectable Japanese pancake snack with matcha-infused dough and rich anko red bean filling. Crafted with top-quality local ingredients from Uji, Kyoto, and Hokkaido. Moist, light pancakes brimming with matcha flavor and a chunky red bean center—a satisfying, not-too-sweet treat for matcha and anko enthusiasts!

Rokkatei Marusei Butter Sandwich Cookies

For delicious holiday snacks with a difference, these Japanese cookies are a unique sweet treat that’s rarely found outside of Japan. The Rokkatei Marusei Butter Sandwich Cookies are a rectangular-shaped sandwich cookie – featuring two biscuits held together by a creamy filling that contains raisins and butter-based cream made in Hokkaido. The smooth, rich sweetness of the cream complements the sourness of the raisins. 

This popular Japanese sweet and classic Hokkaido souvenir has been around since 1977 which is also reflected in their fun individually wrapped retro packaging. 

Kiya Nail Clipper Gold Small Size

These Kiya Nail Clippers have been meticulously handcrafted in Japan through traditional smithing techniques and feature a luxurious gold-plated finish. What’s more to love is that this Japanese nail clipper includes a detachable sheath for easy cleanup, ensuring a pristine bathroom. Presented in an elegant gift box, it's the perfect choice for a thoughtful gift. Who wouldn’t love to receive a pair of nail clippers? 

Ragueneau Patissier's Ringo Stick Aomori Apple Pie Sticks

If you have any apple pie lovers in your life, this is the perfect gift option for you. Patissier's Ringo Stick is a delectable apple pie stick infused with authentic Aomori apples. Renowned as Japan's finest apples, Aomori apples boast the ideal sweetness, crispness, and juiciness, making them a beloved nationwide treasure. It’s surely a treat that anyone you gift it to will love. 

Have multiple people in your life who love apple pie or sweets? No problem! 12 apple pie sticks come individually wrapped, meaning that this is a great gift to use as stocking stuffers, or even to give as a smaller gift. 

Todai Luxury Ice Cream Spoon

Attention all ice cream lovers – you never need to wait again to scoop the ice cream from the tub after removing it from the freezer with the Todai Ice Cream Spoon! 

This innovative ice cream spoon has an elegant and luxurious design that makes light work of cutting through even the most solid of ice creams!

The spoon handle is long enough to reach all parts of a large container of ice cream whilst still remaining narrow enough to fit inside a small pint-sized container. The spoon’s front features a sharp edge to help cut through ice cream.

This Japanese ice cream spoon is available in three different plating finishes; gold, rose gold, or silver, and is made of copper which looks stylish whilst also providing antibacterial qualities.

Wahei Freiz Double Wall Tumbler Sakura Pattern Silver

Experience luxury with the Wahei Freiz Double Wall Stainless Steel Tumbler. Meticulously crafted in Tsubame, Niigata, using premium 18-8 stainless steel and exquisite techniques. Adorned with a stunning sakura pattern and enhanced by gold plating on the inner wall. This exquisite tumbler arrives in an exclusive box, beautifully adorned with a sakura pattern for added elegance, making the perfect gift!

These elegant tumblers come in both silver and gold. They’re perfect to use for any cold beverage of choice. 

Imabari Towel Bath Towels Set White

Whether you’re having guests over during the holidays or searching for a gift for the home, this Japanese bath towel set will add a luxurious touch to any bathroom.

Imabari in Ehime Prefecture is famous throughout Japan for its high-quality and soft towels which have a high-water absorbency. It has been the center of towel production in Japan for more than 120 years and the design on the white bath towel set features an attractive jacquard pattern with waves. It also comes packaged in an aesthetically pleasing wooden box if you’re planning to purchase it as a gift. 

Bunmeido Tokusen Gosan Japanese Handmade Castella Cake

Another sweet treat that would make a wonderful gift or party favor, these Bunmeido castella cakes are sure to be a hit. Castella is a kind of sponge cake that originated in Portugal and was introduced to the Japanese port of Nagasaki during the 16th century by traders and missionaries.

It has since become a signature dessert belonging to the region and is one of the most popular Japanese sweets or wagashi. It consists of a moist and fluffy sponge with a crunchy and sugary bottom layer. Bunmeido is one of the three leading castella cake manufacturers in Nagasaki.

The cake is beautifully presented in pre-cut slices within a luxurious paulownia wooden box wrapped in golden paper, making it ideal to gift to someone.

Yoshikin Global Japanese Knife Set GST-C46

If you have someone in your life who’s new to the world of cooking or is a seasoned chef, then this Global Knife Set makes an excellent gift choice. This set includes a santoku knife, petty knife, peeling knife, and a convenient sharpener. Crafted entirely from metal, these knives are dishwasher-safe and resistant to dirt buildup, making them ideal for any kitchen task.

Kuretake Tortoise Shell Japanese Fountain Pen

If you have any writers in your life this beautiful Japanese fountain pen would make the perfect gift this holiday season. 

This kind of pen is called mannen-kefude in Japanese, which is a hybrid of a calligraphy brush and a fountain pen suitable for calligraphy, lettering, sketching, outlining, inking illustrations, and ink washing.

The Kuretake Tortoise Shell pen offers a comfortable writing experience (although it may take a little practice) and has a luxurious appearance with its metallic casing and black and gold tortoiseshell design. The pen is handmade by skilled craftsmen in Japan’s ancient capital, Nara, and is presented in an attractive and elegant wooden box.

Hagitsuki Senbei Mix Japanese Rice Crackers Variety Box

Hagitsuki, situated in the heart of Gion, Kyoto, is a well-established traditional snack purveyor. They have been offering their delightful senbei from their store nestled close to the enchanting Yasaka Shrine for many years.

This delightful collection of senbei is comprised of three diverse assortments of classic Japanese senbei treats. With a generous six bags of each variety, there's something to suit every palate, making it the perfect gift for snack lovers.

J Taste Authentic Sushi Making Kit & Sushi Ingredients 10 Pieces

Got a friend who loves sushi or enjoys hosting parties? The Sushi Making Kit is the perfect choice! This kit contains everything you need to make delectable sushi and bring the feel of a Japanese sushi restaurant to your home. Whether you're sharing it with friends, family, or simply treating yourself, the J Taste Authentic Sushi Making Kit will ensure a lasting impression at the next sushi get-together. Say goodbye to the need for a trip to Japan for an authentic sushi experience – this kit has you covered!

Japanese Taste Gift Card

Not sure what to gift your friends, family, or loved ones? Why not opt for a Japanese Taste Gift Card? Just like other gift cards, you choose the amount, and the recipient can pick their favorite Japanese Taste items. It’s a win-win! 

What Does Japan Eat For Christmas?

In Japan, Christmas is celebrated with a unique blend of Western influences and local traditions. One of the most popular customs is enjoying a festive meal of Kentucky Fried Chicken, a tradition that began in the 1970s due to a highly successful marketing campaign. Families also indulge in beautifully decorated Christmas cakes, typically sponge cakes topped with strawberries and whipped cream. Although Christmas is not a public holiday and is celebrated more as a romantic or fun event rather than a religious one, these culinary traditions have become a cherished part of the Japanese holiday season.

Did you find any gift-giving inspiration from our article? If you’re still not sure what to gift this holiday season, be sure to check out our Japanese Gifts & Gift Boxes collection. Happy gift-giving!