5 sustainable Japanese souvenirs, from traditional to the latest

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The recent growth of interest in sustainable tourism means there are many more options for eco-friendly lodging and transportation. It would also be better if you could take home some sustainable souvenirs!

When it’s your turn to visit Japan, why not bring back a selection of traditional Japanese items or the latest sustainable items to take advantage of the best of Japan?

Tenugui

 

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Since ancient times, Tenugui, cloth made of cotton, has been used for various purposes, such as ritual ornaments, sunshades, warmth protection, and aprons. Today, they are familiarly used as towels, tablecloths, and packing materials that can be adapted to various shapes.

Kamawanu, a store specializing in hand towels, sells more than 400 patterns of hand towels, from classic to modern patterns, and you are sure to find your favorite one. In addition, since these are dyed using a unique Japanese technique called “chusen,” they are said to be highly absorbent and easy to dry. The more you use them, the softer the fabric becomes. These ecological hand towels can be used for various occasions and are recommended as a sustainable gift.

Gofun nail

UEBA ESOU, the oldest Japanese paint shop, sells nail polish containing Gofun, an important white pigment in Japanese painting made from the fine powder of scallop shells.

This nail polish, created in the hope that more people will enjoy dressing up casually, is water-soluble, so it is gentle on the nails and does not have the irritating odor characteristic of nail polish. Furthermore, they can be removed with alcohol, not nail polish remover. Therefore, it can be used by small children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people undergoing medical treatment. Another feature is the Japanese tints that can be reproduced only by a paint shop and the retro and stylish packaging, which has won a Good Design Award.

This winter, a small box containing nail serum and nail polish in limited winter colors is available. It is recommended as a gift for a special someone or a treat for yourself.

Aizome Eco Wrap

 

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Made by soaking cotton fabric with honeydew, jojoba oil, and pine resin, Eco Wrap is an environmentally friendly, plastic-free item that can be used repeatedly.

Aizome Kusakizome Eco Wrap is made from Banshu Yamazaki indigo-dyed fabric, a traditional craft designated by Hyogo Prefecture. Both the indigo-dyed and herb-dyed fabrics are chemical-free and use natural materials with antibacterial properties, which help keep food fresh and tasty for longer. Furthermore, the dyed fabric is a mix of cotton, which is usually used for eco-wraps, and hemp, an ancient Japanese material, making these daily ethical necessities exude a distinctly Japanese style.

Kintsugi experience set

 

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Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese restoration technique in which broken parts of ceramics, such as cracks, chips, and fissures, are glued with lacquer and decorated with gold or other metal powder. The concept of repairing and using ceramics is very important for sustainability, and kintsugi is attracting worldwide attention as one such repair technique.

Kintsugi Coffret is a kintsugi kit from a long-established lacquer store in Kyoto that allows you to try authentic kintsugi at home. It is a hands-on gift that reminds you of the importance of cherishing one thing by repairing a cherished vessel more beautifully with your own hands.

Diffuser made from waste wood

 

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Odai-Cho, Mie Prefecture, is a UNESCO Eco Park recognized by UNESCO as an area that strives for culturally, economically, and socially sustainable development while protecting its rich ecosystem and biodiversity. A diffuser filled with the fragrance of such a rich Japanese forest may be the perfect souvenir.

Odai products are made from natural wood sticks collected when forests are maintained by human hands and fragrance water, which is a blend of aromatic distilled water extracted from branches and leaves from four types of trees from Odai Town, and essential oils extracted from materials within three days of collection. It contains no preservatives or artificial fragrances, so you can feel as if you are taking a forest bath in Japan.

Enjoy searching for sustainable souvenirs in Japan!

Besides these souvenirs, if you look up, you could find some traditional crafts in the area you are visiting. Sometimes visiting supermarkets and drugstores is also the best way to find affordable and sustainable souvenirs.