Japanese chopsticks are popular as souvenirs because they are rare for foreigners who eat with spoons and forks.
Unique Japanese chopsticks are sold in actual stores in Japan, and are also carried in Osaka and Kyoto in the Kansai region, which are typical Japanese tourist spots.
Some foreigners may want to buy cute or luxurious chopsticks, a cutlery unique to Japanese culture, as a souvenir to please their friends and family.
In Japan, you can get a wide variety of chopsticks, from cheap and cute to slightly more expensive but glittering ones.
Therefore, this article introduces six recommended chopsticks for foreigners to buy as souvenirs from Japan.
Please take a look at them as a reference for stopping by a nearby cutlery store during your trip to Kyoto or Osaka.
Wakasa lacquered chopsticks with Japanese technique “Kai Matsuba (medium)
Chopsticks recommended as a souvenir for foreigners are “Wakasa-nuri Chopsticks Kai Matsuba (medium)” (2,640 yen including tax).
The chopsticks are red with a border pattern and feature pieces of shells cut into rectangles. The shells sparkle depending on the angle of the chopsticks, giving them a luxurious look. The color is applied neatly all the way to the tip of the chopsticks, making them smooth to the tongue. The chopstick tips are made with a “crane’s mouth chopstick” that can grip even the smallest of objects. The “crane’s mouthpiece” is said to symbolize longevity, making these chopsticks an ideal gift. In addition, the “Wakasa-nuri” technique used for the chopsticks represents the bottom of the sea, using eggshells and blue shells. Other chopsticks using Japanese techniques include “Wajima Urushi Chopsticks,” which use natural lacquer for the coating finish, and “Tsugaru-nuri,” which is made through a process of about 50 steps.
Japanese chopstick set with a typical Japanese pattern: “Chidai-zakura chopsticks set
Chopstick set/Sakihaku Chiyozakura” (1,800 yen including tax) is another recommended souvenir for foreigners.
It is sold at the Kyoto souvenir shop “Kimura Sakushido. Popular among foreigners, this set includes two pairs of chopsticks with a cherry blossom pattern that evokes the softness of Japan. Because they are a pair of chopsticks, they make a great wedding gift or present for parents. Although they are made of paper, they come in a luxurious black box, making them a special gift. However, since they are a popular item, especially if you want to purchase more than one, please inquire at the store in advance. In addition to cherry blossoms, other popular patterns of chopsticks sold in Japan include ukiyoe, Fujiyama, rabbit, owl, and beckoning cat.
Cherry Blossom Chopsticks for Matching Chopsticks
Pair of “Sakura” chopsticks (22,000 yen including tax) are also recommended as souvenirs for foreigners.
These chopsticks are made by a brand that has been producing Wakasa-nuri chopsticks for over 400 years. They feature a matte finish using the finest quality lacquer and are made of “mountain cherry,” a natural tree in Japan. The simple design of these chopsticks, with only the cross section of the head painted black and red, makes them easy for anyone to use on any occasion and will fit in well with Western-style dining tables. The lid of the special paulownia box is engraved with the image of cherry wood used for the chopsticks and the brand name. The paulownia box is thick and luxurious, making it ideal not only as a souvenir but also as a gift for anniversaries. In addition, there are products that are sold as a set of chopsticks and a bowl as well as chopsticks.
Hon-nuri Wakasa chopsticks with names for a special feeling “Hon-nuri Wakasa Chopsticks Kairenbo (Large)
For those who are looking for chopsticks with a special touch, the “Hon-nuri Wakasa Chopsticks Kairenbo (Large)” (8,800 yen including tax) is the perfect choice.
These chopsticks are made in Obama City, a major production center that makes nearly 90% of all chopsticks in Japan. The beautiful pearly layers of square abalone shells laid at the same intervals are a distinctive feature of this chopstick design. They are coated not only with colored lacquer but also with gold leaf and then given a finish coating, making them hard and durable. The graceful design makes them ideal not only as souvenirs but also as gifts for special occasions. In addition, names can be engraved using a special machine to make it even more special. Engraving costs 400 yen per pair (tax not included) and takes about one week to make, but no two pairs of chopsticks will be the same.
Chopstick and chopstick rest set Hanaoboro (black)
We recommend the “Chopstick and chopstick rest set Hanaoboro (black)” (3,850 yen including tax) for those who want to purchase chopsticks with a uniquely Japanese sense of luxury.
Chopsticks and chopstick rests decorated with gold leaf are sold as a set. The chopsticks are made of Kanazawa foil, a gold leaf produced in and around Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Kanazawa leaf is characterized by its gorgeous gold shine produced by skilled craftsmanship. In addition, Hanaoboro uses an original decoration method of scattering Kanazawa foil, so no two pieces can be made alike. Therefore, you can obtain only one pair of chopsticks in the world. The color “gold” used for kinpaku (gold leaf) is a lucky color in feng shui, which is said to bring you luck in money and to bring out your potential ability to lead you to success. Therefore, it is a recommended item for those who wish to increase their luck.
Ryukyu Chopsticks Hibiscus Husband and Wife Chopsticks Set [in a paulownia wood box],” perfect as a gift
Finally, we would like to introduce the “Ryukyu Lacquer Ware Chopsticks Hibiscus Couple Chopstick Set [in Kiri Box]” (8,470 yen including tax), which we recommend as a gift for foreigners.
In Okinawa Prefecture, the pattern “hibiscus” used on chopsticks is treated with great care as an image representing a happy future and hope. Hibiscus also means “trust” in the language of flowers, so it is popular as a wedding ring or wedding jewelry as a motif of mutual respect, believing that you can rely on each other. Since it comes in a luxurious paulownia wood box, it is also recommended as a gift. Ryukyu lacquerware is a type of lacquerware developed mainly in Shuri City, Okinawa Prefecture, and its vivid colors and unique patterns are impressive. Ryukyu lacquerware chopsticks are available in hibiscus as well as pepper patterns.
Conclusion
In this article, we have introduced six types of Japanese souvenir “chopsticks” recommended for foreigners. Japanese chopsticks are not only made using original Japanese techniques, such as Wakasa lacquered chopsticks, Wajima lacquer chopsticks, and Tsugaru lacquered chopsticks, but are also sold in sets of pairs of chopsticks or with chopstick rests. If you wish to purchase souvenirs for friends and family or to buy chopsticks as cutlery for your own daily use, be sure to stop by cutlery stores in Kyoto and Osaka to enjoy your trip to the Kansai region.
