As some of you may know, we went on a two week trip to Japan a few months back with our three kids. It was an absolutely amazing trip. We saw and did so many wonderful things and met so many wonderful people. It was really a trip of a lifetime.
While there we had a few occasions to pop into various shops to browse around. Obviously with three kids these occasions were few and far between but I did manage to pick up some really neat little gifts and souvenirs. The Japanese are famous for their beautiful packaging and I’m a huge fan of everything they do. I love the care and time they put into making everything from cookies to presents to even toilet paper look pretty.
I’ve noticed that people who pop by our house are so intrigued to see our little Japanese purchases so I thought I’d show you a few here. Of course many of them have something to do with packaging (either the way it was packaged or something to help me package nicely).
These little mini packages of rice crackers with a face and clothing printed on the plastic wrapping. The kids bought them to take into their classmates as a souvenir from Japan.
Same idea as the rice crackers but these are two chocolate balls and instead of kimono wearing geishas and warriors it’s Russian Babushka dolls.
I tried one out today and although they’re cute they taste pretty crappy.
I couldn’t go to Japan and not buy the famous and over-used Washi tape. Even if it did cost more than it does in Italy. 
Striped and polka dotted twist ties. I regret not buying tons more of these. So great for all those bags of cookies and brownies that I leave in people’s mailboxes.
My daughters were given Japanese yen for their birthday from their grandmother and could buy anything they wanted. In the end they both decided to buy these Wabisuke purses Made in Japan.
They are so well made with a thick canves in the most adorable fabrics.
Look at this elephant material! I wish I could have bought this by the metre.
And of course one of the all time favourite purchases was this Lego Candy we found at a stall in the Nishiki market in Kyoto. You can actually build stuff with it! I’m already planning my son’s birthday cake with these arranged on top.
I can’t forget that I also bought these Echino materials as well while in Japan and received these amazing Japanese Temari Balls as a gift.
Jillian In Italy 