10 Christmas gift ideas for a Japan fan (kids or adults)
Christmas is just around the corner! Is a friend or family member such a big fan of Japan that they're convinced they're Japanese? The problem is, they've already read every manga at the bookstore, there's no room left on their shelves for figurines, and they brought back a ton of keychains from their last trip. In short, you have no idea what to get them.
Don't panic! Here are 10 ideas for kids and adults alike, from a small gift to slip under the tree to one they'll wear all winter long.
A samurai-inspired Japan jersey
This is the gift that brings together a Japan fan's two passions: football and the history of its warriors. The jerseys in our Samurai collection take the cut of the Samurai Blue jersey and add a story to it: Miyamoto Musashi and his two swords, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Sanada Yukimura, or the kanji of bushido.
The right move: pick the samurai the person talks about the most. If they swear by Vagabond, it's Musashi. If they love tragic destinies, it's Yoshitsune. And if they admire heroic last stands, it's Sanada Yukimura, nicknamed "the greatest warrior in Japan" after his final charge at the siege of Osaka in 1615. If you're still unsure, our article on the 10 most famous samurai will help you decide.
A Japan jersey in the colors of their favorite manga
For an anime fan, this is the gift that gets a reaction the moment the wrapping comes off. Our Manga collection has more than fifty Japan jerseys dedicated to cult series: Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, Saint Seiya, Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan.
Look at which character keeps showing up in their wallpapers, figurines or conversations. A One Piece fan will never hold a Gear 5 Luffy against you, but they'll be far more touched by Zoro if he's their favorite character!
And for kids... the shorts are free!
For a child, a jersey never stays in the closet for long: it goes to the park, to Wednesday practice and to the playground. Our Japan kids' kits are made for exactly that, with a jersey and its matching shorts included for free, in light polyester that dries fast.
The designs feature heroes kids recognize at a glance, like Goku in silhouette against the rising sun. Sizes range from 2 to 14 years. If in doubt, go one size up: they'll wear it longer.
Japan "Goku" Kids' Kit – Dragon Ball Super
€48.90, free shorts
From 2-4 years to 12-14 years. More designs in the kids' collection.
See the kids' kitA Benkei Studio oversized t-shirt
For someone who loves Japan off the pitch too, Benkei Studio is a clothing brand that won our team over. Based in France, its designers create oversized t-shirts in heavyweight cotton, with original illustrations in a retro Japanese style.
One of the designs to give a history lover is Benkei & Yoshitsune, a black t-shirt with the two warriors facing each other on the back: the warrior monk Benkei and the young general he protected until his death. Vagabond fans will prefer the Miyamoto Musashi t-shirt, also available on their website.
"Benkei & Yoshitsune" oversized t-shirt
€39.90
The full Benkei Studio Samurai collection.
See the t-shirtThe Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
Musashi finished it in 1645, shortly before his death, while living in retreat in the Reigando cave. It's a treatise on sword strategy, but today it reads like a handbook on discipline: preparation, self-control, reading your opponent. Athletes love it, and so do entrepreneurs.
It's available in many translations. It's the perfect gift to slip next to a Musashi jersey, or to give on its own to someone preparing for a competition.
The Book of Five Rings, Miyamoto Musashi
Belfond edition (French translation). English translations are widely available.
See the bookDo not regret what you have done.
Miyamoto Musashi · Dokkōdō, 1645A daruma for New Year's wishes
A daruma is a round papier-mâché figurine, usually red, that represents the monk Bodhidharma. It's sold with blank white eyes. At New Year, you make a wish and paint in the first eye. You only paint the second one once the wish has come true.
Weighted at its base, the daruma always rights itself when knocked over. It illustrates the proverb nanakorobi yaoki: "fall seven times, stand up eight". It's a symbolic gift, ideal between Christmas and New Year's Day, for a child with a goal as much as for an adult starting a project.
Red papier-mâché daruma, 12 cm
Delivered with blank eyes, ready for the first wish.
See the darumaA matcha set with its bamboo whisk
Matcha is prepared with three tools: the chawan, a wide bowl; the chashaku, a bamboo scoop; and the chasen, a small whisk carved from a single piece of bamboo. A set that brings all three together turns a simple tea into a morning ritual.
To make the gift complete, add a tin of matcha: choose ceremonial grade, bright green, rather than culinary matcha meant for baking.
7-piece matcha kit: bowl, bamboo whisk and scoop
With whisk holder, sifter and cloth. Tea not included.
See the kitA print of Hokusai's Great Wave
The Great Wave off Kanagawa, made by Katsushika Hokusai around 1831 for his series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, is probably the most famous Japanese image in the world. A nice framed reproduction looks just as good in a teenager's bedroom as in a living room.
The Great Wave off Kanagawa, framed poster with mount
1art1 reproduction, ready to hang.
See the posterA box of snacks from a Japanese konbini
Anyone who has been to Japan will tell you: the konbini is an institution. These 24/7 convenience stores, like Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart or Lawson, are on every street corner, selling onigiri, chips with unlikely flavors and limited editions that change with the seasons.
To bring those memories back for a Japan fan, Tokyo Snack Box offers a konbini box: around ten sweet and savory snacks picked from the chain of your choice. It's the perfect gift to open together on Christmas Day, and shipping is free.
Konbini Box, 10+ sweet and savory snacks
€49.90
Your choice of Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart or Lawson. Delivery in about two weeks.
See the boxTakenoko, the board game of the emperor's panda
For winter evenings, Takenoko is one of the most popular family board games. Its story takes place at the imperial court of Japan: the emperor has received a giant panda as a token of peace, and the players must grow a bamboo garden while the ever-hungry animal eats it.
Created by Frenchman Antoine Bauza, the game is played by 2 to 4 players, in about 45 minutes, from age 8. The rules are simple, the panda and gardener figurines delight kids, and parents find real strategy in it. A gift that gets the whole family playing in Japan, not just the fan.
Before you order
Free shipping from 2 jerseys
A jersey for the grown-up, a kit for the little one, or two jerseys for two fans: from two jerseys purchased, shipping is free. Now's the time to make several people happy in one go.
In December, delivery times get longer everywhere: to be on the safe side, order as early as possible. All our jerseys are in the Japan Jerseys collection.
Frequently asked questions
What gift should I give a child who loves Japan?
A Japan kids' kit featuring a manga hero they know, like Goku, is the safest bet: they'll actually wear it.
What size should I choose for a kids' jersey?
Our kids' kits range from 2-4 years to 12-14 years. If the child is between two sizes, take the larger one: the jersey stays comfortable and will last an extra season.
What gift should I give an adult passionate about Japanese culture?
It all depends on their passion. For a history buff, a jersey from the Samurai collection or The Book of Five Rings. For a manga fan, a jersey of their favorite character. For someone who loves art and calm, a matcha set or a Hokusai print. And for a foodie who misses their trip, a box of konbini snacks.
Is shipping free?
Yes, from two jerseys purchased on Samurai Football. For the other ideas, shipping terms are those of each website: on Benkei Studio, for example, it's free in France from two t-shirts.
The best gift for a Japan fan isn't necessarily the most expensive one. It's the one that shows you paid attention to what they love: their samurai, their manga, their team.