Aug 15, 2016 - 1 min read

Souvenirs from Japan

Souvenirs with special meanings

By Elena Lisina

Community writer

Tiny objects are very popular in Japan. This porcelain plate from Nara is only 5cm in diameter!

Shinto is Japanese religion, so souvenirs from Jinja are very special for Japan. They're used for home altars named "Kamidana". This one is from Fushimi Inari Jinja.

This is a bell from Meiji Jingo which is my favorite place in Tokyo. Buying souvenirs in jinja I want to support them.

Jizo is a guardian for travelers, so I needed His guard during my trips. This tiny one I bought in Nara. Jizo did his job very well!

Sumo is a Japanese national sport and is very important. Every time I watched TV news, they ended with sumo news, so I picked this pair!

Temari - balls decorated with thread embroidery - is a very popular craft in Matsumoto, so I couldn't miss it and found few old ones

This paper doll from Matsumoto has a temari pattern on her kimono

The Animal Calendar is very popular in Japan. There are 12 animals in it and every year I pick its symbol. Hitsuji (a sheep) year was 2015.

Uma (a horse) was year 2014. The animal symbol may be set on a platform and has a golden screen behind it.

Tetsu (a dragon) was year 2012. Another version of a souvenir is a ceramic bell.

Saru (a monkey) is year 2016. I always display them at home hoping for good luck in a year!

Usagi (a rabbit) was year 2011. It was the first year when I visited Japan and it was very lucky, indeed!

Year of the Uma (a horse)! This was made of paper mache and has an arrow that is very typical of a New year in Japan.

Miyagi Prefecture is famous for its wood cratfs. These spinning tops were made for me by a Kokeshi artist.

This ceramic bell of a Buddist monk reminds me that I've met them standing and accepting charity all over Japan. They were very patient!

This ball transforms and is special for Kawagoe. If you throw it in your hand a few times it transforms into another color!

One more tiny creature from Gora - goblin made of clay is only 4 cm tall

Tottoro is my favorite character of Miyazaki Hayao, so I couldn't miss him!

Cat-bus is also one of the characters of famous anime film "Tonari no Tottoro"

My favorite Pokemon is Pikachu! All those characters come from Japan and are world famous!

Every person who travels abroad usually purchases souvenirs to bring back home. When I pick up some souvenirs in Japan, instead of choosing random or good-looking ones for myself, I look for ones with a special meaning for the Japanese culture. Thus, I can tell stories when I’m back home! In this photo story, I want to show some of my special souvenirs and explain their meaning.

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Elena Lisina

By Elena Lisina

Community writer

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Kim Bergström

Kim Bergström 5 years ago

The mini porcelain plate is gorgeous! So much detail in something so small!

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Elena Lisina

Elena Lisina Photographer 5 years ago

Yes! Small things in Japan are always amazing! :)

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