What to buy when traveling in Japan? Top 10 must-buy online shopping items

Reporter Chen Manqing / Comprehensive Report

Even if you haven’t been asked to shop on someone’s behalf, you’ve probably heard of many people asking others to buy things for them in Japan, right? Daily View conducted a major online survey of the top 10 Japanese shopping items. If you have friends or family going to Japan, be sure to pay close attention and consider adding these to your shopping list—Up your game!

1. Thermos Insulated Bottle

▲ Stylish Thermos insulated bottle (Photo / Screenshot from Thermos official website)

The Thermos insulated bottle, highly rated for both keeping drinks hot and cold, comes in various colors and stylish patterns. On a hot summer day, you can enjoy cool water all day long, making any activity more pleasant.

2. Panasonic Negative Ion Hair Dryer
 

▲ Panasonic negative ion hair dryer (Photo / Screenshot from Panasonic official website)

This hair dryer mainly utilizes negative ions and hydro ions, adding a moisturizing function to your hair drying routine. It’s said to come in a range of prices, from affordable to high-end. Travelers visiting Japan might want to check it out.

3. Sekkisei

▲ Sekkisei, known for its whitening effects (Photo / Screenshot from Sekkisei official website)

Famous for its powerful whitening effects, Sekkisei has garnered high praise online. For women looking to whiten their skin during this sunny summer, consider checking out the highly-rated Sekkisei and include it in your whitening skincare considerations. Also note that Sekkisei is only available at Japanese drugstores.

4. Kao Steam Eye Mask (Warm Type)

▲ The Kao steam eye mask, also commonly seen in Taiwan (Photo / Screenshot from Kao official website)
Spending multiple hours on electronic devices daily has become a common lifestyle. Those who overuse their eyes may want to consider Japan’s Kao steam eye masks.
The increasingly popular Kao steam eye masks in Taiwan—if you’re already using them, keep an eye on the yen exchange rate. It might help you save on essential living expenses, making your trip more enjoyable and cost-effective.

5. ANESSA Gold Sunscreen SPF50+
 
▲ Highly-rated ANESSA Gold sunscreen (Photo / Screenshot from Beleza Online Shopping Platform)

This sunscreen is highly praised online for being effective, waterproof, and easy to apply. For those traveling to Japan in the hot summer and planning to spend time at places like Universal Studios Osaka, Tokyo Disneyland, Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple, or taking photos with deer in Nara, make sure to pick a good sunscreen in advance to protect your skin for the trip.

6. Sekkisui

▲ Sekkisui, only available at convenience stores (Photo / Screenshot from Sekkisui official website)

When traveling, stop by a convenience store and check out this facial cleanser. Containing job’s tears extract, it’s affordable and well-rated online. Also note that this product is only available at Japanese convenience stores, not at drugstores.

7. Potato Chips Brothers (Jagabee)

▲ Limited-edition butter cheese flavor Jagabee (Photo / Screenshot from Calbee official website)

Hokkaido is famous for its potatoes, and the Potato Chips Brothers are known for using Hokkaido potatoes as their main ingredient. Each chip-shaped snack looks and tastes just like real fries—pretty fun. Calbee offers not only fry-shaped snacks but also many large bags of regular chips, allowing you to taste regionally unique flavors while traveling across Japan. Snack lovers, take note.

8. Hakucho Time

▲ Hakucho Time, also commonly seen in Taiwan (Photo / Screenshot from Lion Corporation official website)

When traveling in Japan, you always want to be in the best physical and mental condition. While your itinerary might be packed with exciting activities, it’s a bummer when your feet get sore before reaching your destination. That’s where Hakucho Time from Japanese drugstores comes in as a must-have travel item. Stick it on your tired feet before bed to prepare for the next day’s adventures.

9. Golden EVE Pain Relief Tablets

▲Golden EVE Pain Relief Tablets that alleviate various pain symptoms (Photo / Sourced from the official website of S&S Manufacturing)

Friends who often experience unexplained pain or find treatments ineffective may want to take a look. The EVE series, designed for rapid recovery from pain and fever, can quickly relieve a variety of stubborn pains and high fevers. However, some people may have allergic reactions to painkillers, so even with strong efficacy, caution is advised!

10. Fever Patches

▲Fever patches available in Taiwan (Photo / Sourced from the official website of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)  
Have you ever had this experience? You absentmindedly left your jacket at home, but it’s too late once you’re already on the vehicle, leaving you to spend the whole day expecting to catch a cold. Aside from taking fever-reducing medicine, buying fever patches could also be an option; when you travel to Japan or when friends and family visit Japan, these are widely available at drugstores. Additionally, fever patches come in versions for adults and children, allowing buyers to choose based on their needs.