Japan Airport Shopping: Best Buys Before Your Flight

what to buy at japan airport

Japan is known for its fascinating souvenirs, but carrying them around during your trip can be a hassle. Luckily, Japan's airports offer a wide range of unique items, from snacks to traditional crafts, that you can buy before your departure. Whether you're looking for limited-edition goodies or classic souvenirs, Japan's aerial gateways, such as Narita and Kansai International Airport, provide a delightful shopping experience. With trendy shops, big brands, and local specialties, you're sure to find the perfect mementos to cherish or gift to loved ones back home. So, arrive early and explore the extensive selection of Japanese treats and treasures that await you at these airports!

Characteristics Values
Number of shops 90+
Types of shops Street fashion, accessories, stationery, big brands, traditional Japanese foods, etc.
Examples of big brands Uniqlo, Muji, ABC-MART, GODIVA, Rolex, Hermes, etc.
Types of products Classic souvenirs, limited-edition souvenirs, snacks, books, medicine, etc.
Examples of snacks Tokyo Banana, Kit Kat, Pocky, Jaga Pokkuru, etc.

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Snacks and sweets

Narita Airport, Japan's main aerial gateway, is a great place to buy snacks and sweets, with a wide range of products available, from limited edition items to those with Japanese motifs and flavours. Here are some treats to look out for:

Tokyo Banana

Tokyo Banana is a popular souvenir sweet from Tokyo. These small, fluffy cakes are banana-shaped and filled with banana custard cream. They come in various flavours and cute prints such as flowers, strawberries and leopard.

Kit Kat

Kit Kat is another popular souvenir from Japan, with a vast array of flavours to choose from—over 100, including local specialities.

Pocky

Pocky, the famous chocolate-coated biscuit sticks, also come in regional flavours such as Kyoto Uji Matcha, Hokkaido Yubari Melon and Shinshu Kyoho Grapes.

Tokyo Curry Age Mochi

If you're not a fan of chocolate or cakes, try these savoury and spicy curry-flavoured fried rice crackers.

Glico-ya

Glico-ya shops sell Giant Pocky in three local-limited-flavours: Uji matcha, Shinshu Kyoto and Yubari melon (green tea, grapes and melon, respectively).

Tokyo Campanella

These sweet and sour strawberry chocolates are sandwiched between plain langue de chat cookies.

Press Butter Sand

These crispy cookies ooze thick buttercream and smooth caramel. Known as "adult sweets" as they are not overly sweet, they are baked using a special pressing process.

Castella Cakes

Castella cakes come in various forms, including the "Golden Castella", a gorgeous treat highlighted by a slather of gold leaf from Kanazawa, and the "Golden Castella/Fujisan", a Mount Fuji-shaped cake sold only at Narita Airport.

Toraya Yokan

Toraya is a traditional Japanese confectionery store founded 500 years ago, famous for its elegant, high-quality sweets. The assortment set includes five types of yokan (hardened sweet red beans and agar agar), including a special, limited white azuki bean yokan called "Sora no Tabi" (journey through the sky), available only at Narita and Haneda Airports.

Jaga Pokkuru

This famous Hokkaido confectionery is made from whole potatoes, sliced with their skins still intact. The mild salt seasoning is sourced from Hokkaido's Lake Saroma, and the distinctive preparation technique emphasises the crispy texture and taste of these spuds.

Matcha Cake

This new collaboration between Tokyo Banana World and IItohkyuemon, a long-established Kyoto teahouse, is exclusively available at Narita Airport and the Tokyo Souvenir Shop North in Haneda Airport. The airy sponge-like dough is carefully kneaded with fragrant Uji matcha tea and filled with two kinds of smooth cream: Uji matcha tea and milk.

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Stationery and books

If you're looking for stationery and books at the airport in Japan, you're in luck! Narita Airport has a wide range of shops offering various souvenirs, including stationery.

One notable shop is Traveller's Factory, a popular store from Nakameguro that has made its way to Narita Airport. They offer a range of items centred on travelling, including notebooks, stationery, and miscellaneous goods. You can also find limited Narita Airport items, such as the Traveller's Notebook and stickers.

In addition to Traveller's Factory, Narita Airport is home to various other shops that sell stationery. Big brands like Uniqlo and Muji have a presence at the airport, offering a range of products, including stationery and accessories.

When it comes to books, you may be able to find a selection of reading material at the airport's convenience stores and bookshops. While there aren't specific details on the types of books available, you may be able to find a variety of options to choose from.

So, whether you're looking for stationery, notebooks, or books, Narita Airport in Japan has plenty of options to explore and cater to your needs.

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Traditional knick-knacks

Narita Airport, Japan's main aerial gateway, is a great place to buy traditional knick-knacks and other souvenirs. The airport has many shops offering a wide range of products, from limited edition items exclusive to the airport to those with Japanese motifs and cute designs.

One of the most popular souvenirs to buy at Narita Airport is Kit Kat. With over 100 flavours available in Japan, you're sure to find something new and exciting to try. Another popular choice is Pocky, the chocolate-coated biscuit sticks that come in a variety of flavours, including regional flavours like Kyoto Uji Matcha, Hokkaido Yubari Melon, and Shinshu Kyoho Grapes.

If you're looking for traditional Japanese sweets, Narita Airport offers a range of options. Tokyo Banana, small and fluffy cakes filled with banana custard cream, are a popular choice, especially among girls. Hiyoko, a longtime beloved sweet from Fukuoka City, is another traditional Japanese treat. These cute, chick-shaped cakes are filled with sweet white bean paste and are sure to delight people of all ages.

For those with a sweet tooth, there are also confectionery options like "Golden Castella", a gorgeous castella cake highlighted by a slather of gold leaf from Kanazawa. You can also find special airport-only treats, such as the "Tokyo Campanella" strawberry flavour, where sweet and sour strawberry chocolate is sandwiched between plain langue de chat cookies.

In addition to sweets, Narita Airport offers a variety of traditional Japanese items. You can explore shops like Kuzefuku, which offers a large variety of ingredients needed to make Japanese cuisine, including miso soup stock and dried fish. If you're looking for stationery, Traveller's Factory is a popular choice, offering limited-edition notebooks, stickers, and other travel-themed goods.

So, whether you're looking for traditional sweets, unique snacks, or cultural knick-knacks, Narita Airport has a plethora of options to satisfy your last-minute shopping needs before departing Japan.

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Trendy clothes

Narita Airport, Japan's main aerial gateway, has a plethora of shops offering trendy clothes and fashion accessories. The airport is a surprisingly hip and rich shopping paradise, with over 90 shops to choose from.

Terminal 1

The shopping area on the 4th floor of Terminal 1 has a wide range of Japanese brands and unique items. One such brand is Uniqlo, which offers a range of trendy clothing options. You can also find Muji, which carries a variety of fashion items alongside its famous minimalist lifestyle products.

Another notable shop is THE AIRPORT STORE UNITED ARROWS, which sells clothes and goods suitable for trips, as well as limited-edition items. B JIRUSHI YOSHIDA, a collaboration between BEAMS and YOSHIDA & Co., Ltd., offers well-designed and highly functional travel goods, including luggage.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is also home to trendy shops, including big brands and street fashion options. You can find unique and limited-edition goodies here that are only available at the airport.

PLAZA, a casual and fun shop, offers trendy and natural clothing options, alongside cosmetics, hair accessories, and miscellaneous goods.

Additionally, ABC-MART, one of Japan's biggest shoe store chains, has a location in Terminal 2, offering a wide selection of sneakers and limited-edition Japanese shoe brands.

With so many options, Narita Airport is the perfect place to pick up some trendy clothes and fashion items before your flight!

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Tax-free luxury items

Japan is one of the few countries that offer tax-free shopping for tourists, meaning foreign travellers can claim back the 10% consumption tax (VAT) on many purchases. Tax-free shopping is available at airport shops, outlet malls, department stores, malls, and stores in tourist areas. Look out for the red and white "Japan. Tax-Free Shop" signage.

To qualify for tax-free shopping, you must be a foreign tourist who has been in Japan for less than six months. The items must be for personal use and must be taken out of Japan within 30 days of purchase. You will need to present your passport at the time of purchase to receive the tax exemption.

Electronics

Japan is known for its high-quality electronics, and you can find tax-free deals at airport shops. Edion, a major electronics store chain in Japan, offers tax-free shopping and exclusive discounts on home appliances, beauty gadgets, and daily electronics.

Cosmetics and Skincare

Tsuruha Drugstore is a popular pharmacy chain in Japan that offers a wide range of health and beauty products, including sought-after Japanese skincare and makeup items. You can also find luxury cosmetics at duty-free shops in airports, such as Japan Duty Free GINZA.

Watches

Japan is known for its brand-name luxury watches, and you can often find them at bargain prices at airport shops.

Confectionery

You can find exclusive and limited-edition confectionery at airport shops, such as the popular "Press Butter Sand," a crispy cookie with thick buttercream and caramel, or the "Tokyo Campanella," a sweet and sour strawberry chocolate sandwich. For a traditional option, try the Toraya yokan, a hardened sweet red bean and agar agar confectionery with elegant packaging featuring an airplane illustration.

Frequently asked questions

Narita Airport, Japan's main aerial gateway, has a wide range of shops offering souvenirs from classic to limited items. You can find Japanese brands and items that you won't find anywhere else, including fashion, miscellaneous goods, bags, and more. Some recommended souvenirs include "Golden Castella", a popular sweet for all ages, and "Press Butter Sand", a crispy cookie oozing with thick butter cream and smooth caramel. You can also find exclusive treats like the Tokyo Banana, a banana-shaped small and fluffy cake filled with banana custard cream, and KitKats, which come in a variety of flavours and colours.

You can find a variety of food items at the airport in Japan, including snacks, sweets, and traditional Japanese foods. Some popular options include "Tokyo Curry Age Mochi", savoury and spicy curry-flavoured fried rice crackers, and "Shiroi Koibito", a well-known confectionery from Hokkaido. You can also find "Jaga Pokkuru", a famous Hokkaido confectionery made from whole potatoes, and "Matcha Cake", an exclusive treat from the collaboration between Tokyo Banana World and IItohkyuemon, a long-established Kyoto teahouse.

Yes, the airport in Japan offers a range of unique items that you won't find anywhere else. For example, the Traveller's Factory store offers limited-edition notebooks, stickers, and other travel-themed items. You can also find exclusive products from the Vanilla Air shop, located near the gate. Additionally, the Fa-So-La Shops beyond passport control offer a wide selection of limited-edition goods, including anime merchandise and traditional knick-knacks.

Yes, the airport in Japan has duty-free shops where you can purchase goods without paying taxes. The Fa-So-La Shops in Narita Airport and the terminal 1 duty-free area in Kansai International Airport are popular options for travellers looking for a wide variety of Japanese goods and limited-edition souvenirs.

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