In my last post, I shared kitchen and dining wares that I’m glad I bought in Japan. Now, it’s time for my shopping list for homewares (and a few other finds)
Blankets (Nishikawa)
If you fall in love with a blanket or doona in a Ryokan hotel and take a look at the tag, it’s Nishikawa. If you ask someone what’s a good brand, they say Nishikawa. Nishikawa stores are usually found inside family department stores.
Glasses (Kaneko Optical)
I first bought a pair of glasses from Kaneko Optical in Kyoto. The man serving me spent a good 40min adjusting the pair for me to make it fit super well. (They had a cool machine that checked your eye sight in three seconds by the way.)
Two years later, I snapped the frame so I went to one of their stores in Tokyo to try and purchase the same frame. They apologetically told me that there’s only one left in the warehouse so they can only replace it for free, once.
Free? I wasn’t expecting to receive a free pair for breaking it two years after I bought it; they couldn’t even find me in their customer history. So that’s two great experiences at Kaneko Optical.
By the way, Zoff at the time was advertising glasses frame that don’t break even if you step on it or sit on it.
If you already have prescriptions and you want glasses for A$50, try looking for CAL. I’ve bought two pairs way back when there were more stores of theirs. They were light weight and fashionable; the only difference I felt compared to normal priced glasses was that they were a little hard to clean.
Portable scissors
Japan makes great swords, so they also make great knives and scissors. But today I’m going to focus on mass-produced handy scissors. All of these are sold in most stationery shops.
“Mini Hasami” (or “Mini Scissors”) are great to cut off tags and open packaging when not at home. I take them on overseas trips so I have handy scissors to snip off tags from things I’ve bought.
Winner of 2023 Good Design Awards, “Hakoake” (or “Box opener”) is a pair of scissors that also turn into a knife. I bought the beige colour one, but that was slightly a silly idea because it’s the same colour as delivery boxes and I lose sight of them ^^;
Unlike common pen-type scissors, this “Pen Cut” portable scissors open up with looped handles, so you can use it like a normal pair of scissors. It would have been even better if I was still a student as I could’ve had a slim pencil case.
Chairs (Kinoshita)
You have to be a business to buy from these guys it seems, but Kinoshita chairs are so comfortable. Like their office “steel chair” S052-4. If you can’t buy chairs, take a look at premium seat cushions (below).
Seat cushions (Exgel Seating Lab)
I’ve said no to many seat cushions, but once you sit on this one, it’s hard to say no. Exgel seat cushions are filled with special gel designed for people on wheelchairs. Made in Japan and with most having washable covers, the Owl model is great for chairs and the Highest Compact Owl is great for stools and taking on airplanes. Their Racing Seat Pad is a treat for sitting on the floor or on the car.
Clothes protectors (Mushuda)
Moth balls stink, right? Mushuda doesn’t smell at all and it protects your clothes from bugs and mildew. The hanging closet type is best for wardrobes, and the orange packaging is the fragrance free version. They’re sold in most supermarkets.
Photo albums (Sekisei)
We’ve mostly moved onto digital, so it’s getting harder to buy photo albums. But what to do with old printed photos? It’s actually pretty hard to find photo albums in Japan that fits 6″x4″ photos, aka “KG Size”. (Regular Japanese prints are 5″x3.5″.) Enter these made in Japan photo album series, Harper House. These days they’re sold at Bic Camera.
Travel power adapters (Elecom)
For some reason (well, because they don’t expect less), travel power adapters sold in Japan are slimmer and better quality. As for the Aussie-to-Japan plug, they actually sell 3pin-to-2pin plugs!!! (They are impossible to find in Australia!) Do note Japanese power sockets don’t accept that thick third earth pin common in 3pin-to-3pin adapters. These one that fit are sold at Bic Camera stores.
https://www.biccamera.com/bc/item/3641585
https://www.biccamera.com/bc/item/7998287
Door Curtains (Cosmo)
A “Noren” is useful when you want to keep the door open but have some privacy. (You can close the door while they’re hung too.) With so many designs out there, they make great home decor. My doorways are totoro-themed; they’re available from licenced Ghibli shops like Donguri Kyowakoku:
The maker is Cosmo, and they make authentic Japanese designs as well as character designs. You’ll bump into a shop selling them if you walk along a touristy shopping arcade.
Rugs (Senko)
These cute carpet rugs by Senko are thick, soft and plush. They don’t slip, and they’re machine washable too. Available in multiple sizes, I bought this 180x180cm one online on Amazon Japan, but they also have an online store selling both character and generic designs.
Carry-on backpack (Puma)
Even though it’s a global brand, I couldn’t track this one locally so I bought it in Japan—it’s a 30-litre Puma Zeus Box backpack with super handy pockets everywhere: sides, back, top, inside, plus a laptop sleeve. It’s carry-on friendly at 22x48x18 cm, and the item code is J20156-10.
Wallet (Muzica Vita)
I’ve used this wallet every day for two years, and it still looks brand new. It’s compact but holds everything I need for daily use. The zipper runs along two sides )which makes it easier to open than a three‑sided one) and it also has a keychain so my keys stay connected. I took the strap off but I like that it has that option. It’s made of Italian leather but very affordable at about 5,000 yen; I bought the blueberry coloured one at the Forma store in the shopping building at Kamata Station.
Upcycled Shinkansen goods (JR)
Did you know retired Shinkansen (bullet trains) get recycled and upcycled into bags, slippers, spoons, and baseball bats? Japan Rail collaborates with local makers, and even sell suitcases made from recycled windows, aluminium, and seat covers.
Comments (2)
Life in Japan and Beyondsays:
July 20, 2024 at 9:18 pmNitori is my go-to shopping place for homewares and kitchenwares.
Kei Madesays:
July 21, 2024 at 12:35 pmYes! Nitori has been great to me too 😀