Japanese netizens vote on "tasty but over-received" souvenirs – Pineapple cakes rank 10th

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

When traveling, people often bring local specialties as gifts for family and friends, but sometimes it’s always the same few items. Surely both the givers and receivers must be a bit tired of them by now? A Japanese website, “Mynavi News,” conducted a survey titled “What souvenir do you receive too often and start to get tired of?” to explore this sentiment.

According to a survey byMynavi News, 687 people participated in this questionnaire. Over 40% of respondents said they’ve felt, upon receiving a locally made gift from a friend, “Not this again?” Based on votes from these 40% of netizens, the following list of thetop 10 most over-received souvenirs was compiled, featuring well-known items such as “Tokyo Banana,” “Kotori Manju (chick steamed buns),” Hokkaido’s famous dessert “Shiroi Koibito,” and Taiwan’s must-buy souvenir when traveling — “pineapple cake.”.

▲ “Kotori Manju (Chick Steamed Buns)” is known as a Tokyo specialty, but what’s lesser known is that it actually originated in Fukuoka. (Photo / From the official website of Kotori Honpo Yoshinodou)Kotori Honpo Yoshinodou Official Website)

Another souvenir that netizens are getting tired of receiving — also a famous Tokyo treat — is “Kotori Manju (Chick Steamed Buns),” which ranks 6th. Although it’s considered a Tokyo specialty, the origin of the chick buns is actually a traditional Japanese confectionery shop called “Yoshinodou” in Fukuoka.

“Kotori Manju” began being sold at places like Tokyo Station and Haneda Airport around the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It gained significant popularity through marketing as the “Tokyo specialty snack, Kotori,” although the fact that it originally hails from Fukuoka remains little known. This has even led to a situation where people visiting friends in Fukuoka from Tokyo give Kotori Manju as a gift.

▲ Hokkaido’s famous “Shiroi Koibito” has remained popular for over 30 years and is one of the region’s most iconic souvenirs. (Photo / From the official Shiroi Koibito fan page of Ishiya Seika Co., Ltd.)Ishiya Seika Co., Ltd. Fan Page)

Hokkaido’s famous “Shiroi Koibito,” which sells approximately 200 million units per year, was once ranked No. 1 on a Japanese list of “The Most Iconic Souvenirs of the 20th Century.” Since it’s only sold in Hokkaido, even Japanese people traveling there often buy a few boxes to take home as gifts. However, this has also led to it being ranked as the No. 3 most clichéd souvenir among netizens.

▲ Taiwan’s pineapple cake, whose name in Hokkien sounds like “prosperity coming,” is loved not only by foreign tourists but also by locals as a gift item. The image is for illustrative purposes only. (Photo / From the Guanmiao Tie Jingang Pineapple Cake Fan Page)Guanmiao Tie Jingang Pineapple Cake Fan Page)

Ranking 10th — and one of only two non-Japanese items on the list that people are tired of receiving — is Taiwan’s “pineapple cake.” Whether at airport duty-free shops or major tourist spots, pineapple cakes can almost always be found alongside other local souvenirs.

Because the word for pineapple in Taiwanese Hokkien sounds like “prosperity coming,” it carries auspicious meanings. As a result, Taiwanese people often give pineapple cakes as gifts during festivals or when visiting friends abroad. Foreign tourists also frequently buy a few boxes to take home. However, some Japanese netizens feel that Taiwan has more to offer than just pineapple cakes. So if you have the chance to visit friends in Japan, why not bring another local specialty to give them a fresh taste?

Additionally, “Mynavi News” also surveyed how many times these respondents had received these souvenirs in the past year. On average, they received them “more than three times,” which explains why they’re hoping for something new the next time around.

Japanese Netizens’ Ranked List of “Tasty but Over-Received” Souvenirs

1. “Tokyo Banana” from Tokyo

2. “Suncoco” from Okinawa Prefecture

3. “Shiroi Koibito” from Hokkaido

4. “Yatsuhashi” from Kyoto

5. “Hawaiian Macadamia Nuts” from Hawaii

6. Tokyo’s “Chick Buns” and Hiroshima Prefecture’s “Maple Leaf Buns”

8. Shizuoka Prefecture’s “Eel Pie”

9. Yamanashi Prefecture’s “Shingen Mochi”

10. Taiwan’s “Pineapple Cake”