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On the last day of a trip to Japan, many people struggle with choosing “Omiyage” (souvenirs). Have you ever wondered, “I want to get something my family and friends will love, but I don’t know what to buy…”? Buying something in a hurry at the airport is one option, but the best Japanese souvenirs are actually waiting to be discovered in the “Depachika.”
Depachika, the basement food halls of department stores, are filled with masterpieces of both quality and appearance, from traditional Japanese confections to the latest sweets. In this article, we have carefully selected 7 “can’t-go-wrong” souvenirs that are well-known even to international tourists. After reading this, you’ll never have to worry about choosing souvenirs again!
Contents
[Conclusion] By Purpose! Here’s the Perfect Souvenir for You!
First, let’s choose the perfect sweet based on who you’re giving it to and the occasion.
- For sharing with many people at the office or school → Yoku Moku “Cigare”, Gateau Festa Harada “Gouter de Roi”
- A special gift for a loved one or a respected elder → Toraya “Small Yokan”
- To convey Japan’s “Kawaii” culture → Audrey “Glacia”
- A souvenir that also serves as a snack for a friend who loves drinks → Keishindo “Ebi-zukushi”
Popular items can sell out, so it’s best to visit with plenty of time. Most depachika have tax-free counters, where you can get a tax exemption for purchases over a certain amount. Always check the expiration date!
1. Yoku Moku “Cigare” | The King of Butter Cookies Loved by All
“Cigare” is a crispy and delicate butter cookie shaped like a cigar. Its rich butter flavor and light texture are unforgettably delicious. Packaged in an elegant blue tin, they are beautiful to look at and individually wrapped, making them perfect for sharing with many people at work or school. For many years, it has been loved by people of all nationalities and ages, truly making it the “King of Souvenirs.”
- Universally Loved Taste: Rich butter flavor with a refined, not-too-sweet taste.
- Individually Wrapped: Easy to share, perfect for the office.
- Long Shelf Life: They last a long time and are easy to carry.
2. Gateau Festa Harada “Gouter de Roi” | The King’s Snack with an Irresistible Crunch
A crispy gateau rusk made from high-quality French bread. The toasty aroma of the bread, the flavor of fine butter, and the gentle sweetness of the granulated sugar on the surface create a perfect balance. The winter-exclusive version coated with white chocolate is also extremely popular. These are also individually wrapped and come in large quantities, making them a very popular souvenir for sharing.
- Fun Texture: A unique, light and crispy texture.
- Cost Performance: High quality at a relatively affordable price.
- Limited Editions: You can also enjoy seasonal flavors like white chocolate and matcha.
3. Toraya “Small Yokan” | A Work of Japanese Art with 500 Years of History
“Toraya,” founded in Kyoto in the late Muromachi period, is a leading Japanese confectionery shop. Its signature product, Yokan, made from simple ingredients of adzuki beans, sugar, and agar, is a true work of Japanese art. Its dense, smooth texture and deep sweetness make it a perfect special gift. The small, easy-to-eat size is also appealing as it allows you to try various flavors. There is no better choice for a souvenir to convey the tradition and prestige of Japan.
- Prestige and Trust: A top-tier brand that is also a purveyor to the Japanese Imperial Household.
- Beautiful Packaging: The designs, which change with the seasons, are part of its charm.
- Various Flavors: Besides the traditional Ogura (Yoru no Ume), there are also flavors like black tea and honey.
4. Audrey “Glacia” | A Bouquet-like Sweet Overflowing with “Kawaii”
A very cute baked confection that looks like a small bouquet. Inside a crispy tuile (langue de chat) cookie is a milky cream and a sweet-and-sour dried strawberry. Due to its adorable appearance, it is known as a particularly popular shop with constant queues. As a sweet that symbolizes Japan’s “Kawaii” culture, it is sure to be a hit, especially as a souvenir for women and young people.
- Overwhelming Cuteness: A visual that will elicit gasps of delight the moment the box is opened.
- Sweet and Sour Taste: A perfect balance between the sweetness of the cream and the tartness of the strawberry.
- Rarity: There is always a line, giving it a special feeling of being a bit difficult to obtain.
5. Nenrinya “Mount Baum Shikkari-me” | A Rich and Dense Baumkuchen
This specialty shop is said to have sparked the baumkuchen boom in Japan. Its signature product, “Mount Baum Shikkari-me” (Firm Type), has a crispy, fragrant outside and a moist, dense inside, true to its name. It has a rich butter flavor and is very satisfying. It’s a rich-tasting confection that lets you feel the meticulous craftsmanship of Japan.
- Unique Texture: Crispy on the outside, dense and mature-tasting on the inside.
- Luxurious Feel: A substantial weight and a rich buttery taste.
- Variety of Sizes: Available in sizes from individual servings to whole cakes.
6. Keishindo “Ebi-zukushi” | Artistic Shrimp Crackers Packed with the Blessings of the Japanese Sea
Artistic shrimp crackers made by a long-established shop founded in 1866, with the image of a whole shrimp baked right on. Made with an abundance of fresh shrimp and carefully baked one by one by artisans. The fragrant aroma of shrimp that wafts out the moment you open the bag, the crispy texture, and the rich umami of shrimp that fills your mouth are an experience you can’t get anywhere else. It is also a perfect souvenir for those who do not like sweets or for friends who enjoy a drink.
- Rich Shrimp Flavor: An authentic taste using real shrimp lavishly.
- Beautiful Appearance: Artistic crackers depicting seasonal flowers are also popular.
- A Savory Souvenir: A great gift for those who don’t have a sweet tooth.
7. PRESS BUTTER SAND | A Crispy, Gooey, Two-Layered Butter Sandwich
A hugely popular butter sandwich that consistently has long lines at Tokyo Station and airports in recent years. A crispy cookie crust, made using the “hasami-yaki” technique from Japanese confectionery, is filled with two layers: a smooth butter cream and a gooey butter caramel. The modern and sophisticated packaging design is also part of its charm. It’s a product we can confidently recommend as a new classic Japanese souvenir.
- New Texture: A combination of a crispy cookie and gooey caramel.
- Sophisticated Design: The simple and stylish packaging is perfect for gifts.
- Regional Flavors: Depending on where you visit, you can also enjoy limited-edition flavors like Uji Matcha and Amaou Strawberry.
Summary
A Japanese depachika is more than just a food market. It’s a place where you can find the best souvenirs, packed with the deliciousness and aesthetic sense of Japan. The seven masterpieces introduced this time are all items that represent Japan’s food culture. Choose a souvenir for your loved ones with your thoughts and feelings. You are sure to see their brightest smiles.
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