Last Updated on November 30, 2025
Gifts
My old friend always brings me Japanese gifts from various regions whenever she goes on a trip. She gives me souvenirs that I can use as cooking ingredients, sweet treats, and cute items—each one always makes me happy. Let me introduce a few of them.
From Niigata
Niigata faces the Sea of Japan and is well-known for skiing in the winter. In the bottom right of the first photo, you’ll see Kaki no Tane, which means seeds of Japanese persimmon, a type of rice cracker. This one is made to resemble the seeds of Japanese persimmon, with a flavor of soy sauce and chili peppers. The taste varies depending on the manufacturer, and some spicier versions may also include peanuts. The packaging design also features a traditional Japanese house, and it’s very cute.
Niigata is famous for its delicious rice, and a variety of rice crackers are produced there. Many of the rice crackers we usually buy at the supermarket are also from Niigata. I’ll introduce them to you if I get the chance.
From Gunma
Gunma is an inland prefecture with plenty of nature, yet it’s also easy to access from Tokyo. In the top right of the first photo, you’ll see a seasoning that adds spice and flavor without salt. Shichimi, meaning ‘seven flavors’, usually contains seven ingredients. This Hachimi, meaning ‘eight flavors’, adds specialty Shimonita long onions from Gunma Prefecture, giving it eight flavors.
In the top left of the photo, you’ll see chicken Soboro rice topping. To make Soboro, cooks simmer minced meat with soy sauce and sugar until it turns finely crumbled and sweet-savory. This one gets a nice kick from ginger and Sansho, and the rice topping stays pleasantly soft.
Sansho is a Japanese pepper that gives dishes a citrusy, spicy note, and people often sprinkle it over grilled eel.
From Shizuoka
Shizuoka is located southwest of Tokyo and is famous for Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula, which is known for its hot springs. In Suruga Bay in Shizuoka, fishermen catch small red shrimp called Sakura-ebi. This is the only place in Japan where fishing for them is officially permitted. This Sakura-ebi rice seasoning mix actually contains real dried Sakura-ebi, and you can use it to make Takikomi-gohan by adding it to the rice cooker while cooking the rice.
Takikomi-gohan is a Japanese mixed rice dish where ingredients are cooked together with the rice. It’s usually seasoned with soy sauce and seafood broth, and people often add vegetables or chicken as ingredients, so this mix let me enjoy a different flavor than usual.
From Yamanashi
From YamanashiYamanashi is located west of Tokyo and is famous for Mount Fuji, its surrounding lakes, and its fruit cultivation. The area around Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi is popular with tourists for its views of Mt. Fuji, and it’s also a well-known location for vacation homes. Since the area has many Western-style vacation homes, shops that match that atmosphere are likely popular. According to her, there was a store that sold Christmas decorations all year round.
She said this is a product from overseas, and its elegant champagne gold color with sparkling details is absolutely beautiful. She even bought one for herself, so I guess we’ll each be spending time admiring them in our own homes during the coming season!
Once again, I received something really cute! There’s a shop in Japan called Afternoon Tea, known for its café-style restaurant and adorable goods. This time, I received some tea-scented goodies, and I especially loved the face mask. It had a sweet tea fragrance that was so relaxing.
From Chiba
And the other ones are Baumkuchen rusks made with Koji. Koji is made by growing Koji mold on grains like rice, barley, or soybeans. It’s used to make traditional Japanese fermented foods, and it gives them their umami flavor and sweetness.
Chiba is located southeast of Tokyo and is famous for Narita Airport and Tokyo Disney Resort. In addition, there’s a town that thrived on fermented food culture, including sake, miso, and soy sauce, and these sweets are from a shop there that sells fermented food products. The flavor of the koji blended really well with the Baumkuchen, making it delicious without feeling out of place at all.
Friend of my heart!
This is a line spoken by Gian in the Doraemon manga. My friend who gave me a souvenir is a classmate from my school days, and now, as an experienced mom, she gives me all sorts of advice. And seeing her gradually gaining more freedom and pursuing the things she loves gives me so much hope.
