Souvenirs of Aichi Prefecture and surrounding areas
Aichi and its neighboring prefectures produce many kinds of traditional craftwork that are very representative of Japanese culture, and many can make excellent, reasonably-priced souvenirs.
Japanese confections
Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture’s famous ebi-sembei (thin, crisply baked Japanese crackers liberally filled with pieces of shrimp) are very popular souvenirs. For sweet confections, uiro (steamed cake of rice flour and sugar), manju (flour bun filled with bean jam), and the beautifully molded and decorated higashi (dried confections that can be easily preserved) are recommended.
Sake (Nihon-shu )
Aichi and Gifu Prefectures boast many delicious sakes. Pick out some to your taste at the liquor section in department stores or at sake shops, some of which providing free tasting.
Folk handicrafts
Old-style kitchenware and household furnishings made from wood or bamboo and toys like koma , (tops spun by hand or with a string) and tako (kites made of paper on a bamboo frame with a string attached) are ideal as simple and traditional souvenirs that communicate the warmth of Japan. Some can be beautifully used as interior furnishings.
Kimono / obi, Japanese crafts
Many foreigners buy kimono and yukata to wear as housedresses or dressing gowns or to use as household decorations, and moderately-priced used kimono are also popular. Japanese kimono accessories like purses or obi sash bands can also be arranged for Western clothing. Noren , split-curtains usually made of cloth and hung at the entrance of shops or between rooms but which can be used as a Japanesque hanging for room décor, and uchiwa , round Japanese fans made of paper or cloth and with a thin bamboo spine, also make ideal souvenirs.
Pearl goods
Almost all of the world-famous Japanese pearls are produced in Mie Prefecture. Stores offer many kinds of pearl goods, including of course pearl accessories for women. From very elegant items to very reasonably-priced accessories, a wide line-up of pearl goods is available to shoppers.
Mino washi (Mino Japanese paper)
In the Mino area (southern part of Gifu Prefecture), many traditional craftworks like Japanese umbrellas and Gifu-chochin (portable lanterns) make use of the handmade Mino washi . Miniatures of those craftworks and Mino washi stationary sets make excellent gifts.
Arimatsu shibori (tie-dyeing)
Intricately patterned and very beautiful, Arimatsu tie-dyeing (a unique dyeing method in which finely-drawn white patterns are produced by dyeing cloth that has been tied by strong threads) is one of the representative handicrafts of Japan. In addition to Japanese purses and fans, goods that can be coordinated with Western clothing like tie-dyed rucksacks, parasols, and scarves are also available.
Toyohashi fude (writing brushes)
With a tradition of 200 years, Toyohashi fude * have long been known as superior writing brushes. They can be purchased at department stores or stationary stores.
*fude brushes are one kind of very old Japanese writing implement. The brush end dipped in ink, fude are used for calligraphy or painting.
Pottery
Seto, Tokoname, Mino, and Inuyama pottery are all distinctive, and shoppers can enjoy choosing combinations they like from among them. Easy-to-carry, small items like coffee cups, small dishes, chopstick holders, and ichirin-zashi (one-flower vase) make ideal souvenirs. They can be enjoyed as normal tableware or objet d’art.
Pottery and ceramics can be purchased at reasonable prices at events like the Setomono Festival (the second weekend of September) and the Tokoname Pottery Festival (the fourth weekend of August). In Tokoname there is also a shopping mall where many pottery and ceramics shops are concentrated, and products from many areas can be purchased at moderate prices there.
Suzuri (an “inkstone” for making ink for calligraphy)
The tradition-laden Horaiji Temple inkstones are superb articles still made from stones produced only in that area. Small suzuri can be used as paper weights and make interesting souvenirs.
