Buying souvenirs is a must-do activity for Chinese tourists visiting Japan, and Tokyo Station is one of the best places in the Tokyo metropolitan area to shop for them. Inside and outside Tokyo Station, there are many shops, with new brands and products constantly being introduced. Below is a ranking of the top 10 souvenirs at the station, which you might want to consider for your shopping or purchasing-on-behalf-of-others list.
Items such as Akafuku mochi, Shiroi Koibito biscuits, Santen Rose Eye Drops, Japanese folding fans, wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), cosmetics, sakura jelly, Japanese dolls, Japanese bronze mirrors, and Japanese sake are all great souvenir choices.
1. Maple Cream Sandwich Cookies – The MAPLEMANIA
One of the most popular sweet treats, the maple cream sandwich cookies sell over 6 million units a year. These crispy cookies are made with Canadian maple syrup and fermented butter, then filled with chocolate cream, offering a rich maple aroma.
Maple Cream Sandwich Cookies (Photo / TOKYO STATION CITY, the same below)
2. Chocolate Sandwich Cookies – Silver Grapes
These chocolate sandwich cookies are a Tokyo Station exclusive. They feature exclusively developed, crisp chocolate and nut cookies printed with heart patterns, filled with milk chocolate and white chocolate cream.
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
3. Tokyo Raiyaki Biscuits
Tokyo Raiyaki Biscuits are cat’s tongue cookies baked with rice flour, shaped like the horn of the thunder god, and stuffed with nuts, sesame, and whipped cream.
Tokyo Raiyaki Biscuits
4. Tokyo Nut Chocolate Pie – Caffarel
Caffarel is a renowned Italian chocolate brand, and their extremely popular Tokyo Nut Chocolate Pie is irresistibly delicious. With its nutty chocolate filling and melt-in-your-mouth texture, plus elegant packaging, it makes a perfect gift.
Tokyo Nut Chocolate Pie
5. STICK WAFFLE R.L. waffle cake
The R.L. Tokyo Station Limited Muffin is a highly popular souvenir. The stick-shaped muffins are coated with chocolate, offering a crispy and tasty bite, and even come in beautifully designed packaging.
R.L. waffle cake
What Did Foreign Tourists Buy at Japanese International Airports?Starting this September, the Japanese TV program 'Sekai ga Odorokita Nippon! Sugoi Desu ne!! Shisatsu-dan' (The World Was Amazed by Japan!) by Asahi TV asked foreign tourists at major international airports what souvenirs they bought. After two months, they compiled a list of 25 top local specialties and produced a special 3-hour program. Skipping explanations about production techniques or historical backgrounds of these specialties, here’s a summary of the top 25 souvenirs. Check them out now!No. 25: Wakayama Mandarin OrangesWakayama Prefecture, which has ranked first in mikan production in Japan for 15 consecutive years, offers fresh mandarin oranges or related products that are popular souvenir choices. However, when buying such agricultural products, be mindful of quarantine regulations and liquid restrictions for flights.
No. 24: Nara Pickles from NaraNara pickles are traditional preserved vegetables, often made with melons and other produce. They are said to pair very well with meals.
No. 23: Kamakura Custard from KamakuraA local favorite dessert born in 1982 (Showa 57), especially loved by both foreigners and Japanese travelers.
No. 22: Ishikawa Wajima Lacquer Chopsticks"Wakasa-nuri" is the general term for lacquerware produced in Wakasa, Ishikawa Prefecture. While there are many items such as bowls and plates, the relatively rare chopsticks hold greater souvenir value for foreign tourists. Chopsticks are also considered a symbol of good luck in Japan, so if you visit Ishikawa Prefecture, don’t miss them out!
No. 21: Hakone’s Yosegi Zaiku"Yosegi Zaiku" refers to a variety of wood mosaic crafts. There is a wide range of actual products, such as cups, boxes, makeup mirrors, and wallets, all great as souvenirs. The most famous one is a container called a "secret box," which has a clever mechanism that makes it puzzling to open!
No. 20: Fukuoka’s Hakata TokaemonThis dessert is so popular it’s even made it into the Guinness World Records—when in Fukuoka, this is a must-buy!Tokyo’s (Edo-period) long-standing and gorgeous traditional craft is still alive and well in Asakusa. If you're going to rent a beautiful kimono in Japan and stroll around, how can you skip on decorating your hair!
No. 18: Aichi’s Hatcho MisoMiso flavors vary greatly across Japan, and strictly speaking, there’s no absolute “best” miso—but what sets Hatcho Miso apart is its unique fermentation process, lasting over two years, unlike the usual three months to a year. You won’t find a similar taste anywhere else!
No. 17: Kyoto’s Leather SneakersJapanese guests on TV shows often claim they didn’t know Kyoto had this famous product, yet it's an item many foreign tourists visiting Kyoto make a point to check out. It’s said the secret to its huge popularity is the super comfy, snug-fitting leather!
No. 16: Hiroshima’s Raw Maple LeafAlso known as "maple leaf manju," when talking about Hiroshima’s "raw" specialties, don’t forget to try their oysters (mussels) as well!
No. 15: Nara’s Socks (Tabi)Nara Prefecture is actually Japan’s largest producer of socks, with top-tier knitting techniques and creativity. Thanks to heavy promotion on travel websites in recent years, many foreigners come specifically to pick up socks made in Nara!
No. 14: Shiga’s Shigaraki-yaki"Shigaraki-yaki" is a well-known type of Japanese pottery, but visitors usually don’t go for teacups or utensils...
They buy tanuki (raccoon dog) figurines instead!!!No. 13: Wakayama’s Plum WineFinally, a souvenir suitable for someone who loves alcohol. Wakayama’s plum wine is famous for being rich and mellow, but there are also many other flavors to choose from. For true aficionados, coming here to do tastings is even more fun!
No. 12: Tokyo Nakameguro Traveler’s NotebookThis isn’t just any ordinary notebook—it’s called the "TRAVELER'S NOTE," a multifunctional notebook that can store stationery or IC cards, and even allows you to combine two or more notebooks. Tourists love the freedom of customizing their own unique notebook!
No. 11: Kamakura’s Pigeon BiscuitsKamakura’s super famous souvenir – you probably don’t need us to say much more about it...No. 10: Kyoto’s Nishijin-ori fabricKyoto’s traditional weaving technique “Nishijin-ori” features very elaborate patterns. Some visitors buy the fabric directly to use as home decor, while others purchase small items like wallets made from Nishijin-ori.No. 9: Kyoto’s sansho pepperSansho pepper is especially popular among cooking enthusiasts. It’s said that just a little added to dishes brings out deep flavor, and it pairs well with fish, cucumbers, pasta, steak, and even chocolate. Locals even sell sansho-flavored ice cream.
No. 8: Gifu Toyama Takayama’s sarubobo dollsSarubobo (literally “monkey baby”) is a red, humanoid guardian deity. Traditionally it has no facial features, but in recent years cuter versions with faces have also become popular. It can be used as a mascot or good-luck charm.
No. 7: Kagoshima’s karukan manjuJapanese-style manju sweet buns are definitely a hit when it comes to souvenirs, and this “karukan manju” is unique for using Japanese yam (native yam). Since each yam varies in characteristics, the recipe must be adjusted for each batch – making it quite labor-intensive.
No. 6: Shinjuku’s Ichiran ramen cupsForeign visitors absolutely love Ichiran Ramen, and with these products, you can recreate the taste of the restaurant at home – or even create your own custom flavors. Someone in our editorial team even got gifted several packs...
No. 5: Hokkaido’s milk cookiesA specialty of Sapporo Agricultural School, Hokkaido is a major milk-producing region, and these cookies offer an incredibly smooth texture that feels just like drinking milk.Drinks and sweets featuring matcha are hugely popular around the world, prompting foreign tourists to visit Uji, Kyoto – the renowned matcha production area – to buy the real thing. However, matcha drinks and sweets often include sugar to mask bitterness, so before buying tea, it’s best to try a sample first to see if you can handle the original flavor.
No. 3: Tokyo Shimokitazawa’s secondhand clothes (fukuro)This isn’t really a local specialty, but around Tokyo’s Shimokitazawa Station there are over 90 secondhand clothing shops, offering a wide variety of high-quality items – making it a treasure trove for lovers of vintage fashion.
No. 2: Kyoto’s bamboo baskets (takekago)The bamboo groves of Kyoto’s Arashiyama are one of the must-visit spots for foreign tourists, which is why locally made bamboo products have become such distinctive and popular souvenirs.
No. 1: Hokkaido’s Shiroi KoibitoTaking the top spot is Hokkaido’s ultra-famous chocolate sandwich cookie. These days you don’t necessarily have to go all the way to Hokkaido – they’re available at shops in major international airports across Japan. The name is especially romantic, and it’s beloved by many travelers.
The souvenirs mentioned above are generally not expensive, but they are especially representative and meaningful as keepsakes. Which ones have you tried or heard of?
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