Some of The Wackiest Souvenirs from Japan

In Japan, souvenirs (お土産-おみやげ-omiyage) have a sacred place in the culture.

Wherever you find a tourist spots, 99,9% chances are you can get a trinket or two to remind you of the place. Here are five kitschiest, though much adored by foreign visitors, souvenirs from Japan:

1. Sushi USB memory sticks. Come in a variety of shapes, such as uni (sea urchin) or tako (squid). These ones, ikura, look good enough to eat! Click here to purchase. 

   

   Can you tell if these aren't real sushi?



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2. Manekineko (beckoning cat). A symbol for luck (it beckons money & prosperity), this kitty cat is quite a popular souvenir in China & Thailand (I guess the gold gildings kind of attract the crowd). Click here if you're hankering for one!



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3. T-shirts with Kanji characters. Maybe because of the intricate ways these letters are written, just like tattoos, T-shirts with Kanji or Chinese characters somehow give you an added degree of "coolness" (at least in the Western world). Some Kanjis, like 日本 (Nippon), 忍者 (ninja) and 侍 (samurai) are quite the standard in the Asakusa's souvenir fashion line. Other than that, if you're lucky you can get a much cooler one with characters like 善 (zen) or 龍 (ryu = dragon). Need to boost your coolness meter? Get your samurai Tee here. 



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4. Miniature Sumo Wrestlers. Come in various poses, these dudes are made to last (and to stay). The sleeping ones look cute enough that you don't need to worry your pet cats would be traumatized by their mere presence. Feeling mighty? Get them here now, before sanity kicks in! 



Swank manly model and katana not included.

5. Last but not the least, Yukata (light-weight summer kimono), is a safe bet. Pret-a-Porter for the demands of foreigners (sizes range from M-3L), these cotton outfits usually worn during hot summer nights. Yukatas are a delight for female as well as male tourists, since they give a temporary sense of uniqueness and exoticness. For fashionistas, get yours here.