30 Best Japanese Things to Buy Online Under $100

by David McElhinney | LIFESTYLE

Japan’s reputation for high quality design is well deserved. But the idea that Japanese things are expensive is not necessarily true.

We are bringing to you 30 authentic Japanese goods that you can buy online for less than $100, and many for a lot less! So if you want to add a little Japanese quality into your home, or your beauty regime, check out the recommendations of cool Japanese stuff below to purchase these essential items at affordable prices.

1. Japanese Crane Kimono Robe

Tired of always reaching your tried-and-true LBD (“little black dress”) when presented with a night out on the town? Next time, opt for this navy and gold knee-length cotton kimono robe that will surely make a statement and turn heads wherever you go! In this eye-catching piece, ivory cranes glide elegantly in the indigo sky, darting between fields of golden chrsytathemuns. Pair with a decorative belt and heels to accentuate your unique evening look. Beautifully gift-wrapped in washi paper!

Japanese Crane Kimono Robe - $99.99 at Japan Objects Store

2. Tan Tokoname Sake Set

If you want the full sake experience, you’ll need an entire set, featuring a pair of ochoko and a tokkuri (flask). This Tan Tokoname set is a fantastic option, not only for its authentic, speckled appearance, but also because the clay is said to give more balance to the flavor of the sake. Created using ancestral techniques at the Yamadatoen Kiln, this set is emblematic of the understated simplicity so often seen in Japanese art.

Tan Tokoname Sake Set - $99.99 at Japan Objects Store

3. Shoji Noren Curtain

Fusing two iconic elements of Japanese home design, these noren curtains are printed with a large circular motif depicting a sliding shoji door. The motif is created using shashiko stitching, an intricate technique where the thread is more twisted than in traditional embroidery, which was first developed during the Edo period. The curtains are ideal design accessories for welcoming people into your home or as a partition between two living spaces.

Shoji Noren Curtain - $89.99 at Japan Objects Store

4. Japanese Cypress Tenugui Tapestry Hanger

Looking for a no-fuss way to display decorative tenugui in your home without damaging the fabric? Made from lightweight Japanese cypress wood, this tenugui tapestry hanger is easy to install as it does not require any special tools. To use, simply insert the edges of the tenugui into the slots, secure the edges, and hand on a wall or door in your kitchen, bedroom, hallway or bathroom. Choose Natural for a warm tone or Tea for rustic charm. Accommodates textiles up to 15” (37.5cm) wide.

Tenugui Tapestry Hanger - $29.99 at Japan Objects Store

5. Cotton Kimono Undergarment

To make wearing a kimono more comfortable, and to provide some extra warmth in the winter, many Japanese will wear a nagajuban, or kimono undergarment. The simple cotton fabric also allows it to double up as an indoor dress when relaxing at home. Unlike a kimono, which requires a certain degree of skill and patience to don properly, nagajuban are simply knotted around the midriff using the attached ties.

Cotton Kimono Undergarment - $49.99 at Japan Objects Store

6. Furoshiki Handles

Furoshiki are wrapping cloths used for centuries to wrap and transport a variety of goods and products. Their use ingrained in Japanese culture for more than 1,200 years, furoshiki are an economical choice for gift wrapping, storage, or even home decor. While these quintessential Japanese things are easy to use on their own, you can add a touch of Japan to your daily wardrobe by converting your furoshiki into a handbag simply by pairing them with these sturdy handles. Available in brown, clear, and bronze!

Furoshiki Handles - $14.99 at Japan Objects Store

7. Pureland Tenugui Towel

Incorporate the work of contemporary visual master Hideki Kimura, one of Kyoto’s most prolific artists, into your home with this 100% cotton tenugui. Featuring vibrant, hand-painted lotus flowers in various stages of bloom, this tenugui is a reproduction of his expressive work, found on the sliding panels of Shoren-in. The lotus flower is an integral part of Buddhist iconography that can bring purity and enlightenment to your everyday life.

Pureland Tenugui Towel - $24.99 at Japan Objects Store

8. Green Tokoname Teapot Set

Featuring a kyusu teapot and two cups, this Tokoname teapot set has black and forest-green hues, generated by reduction firing and a sprinkling of green clay. The teapot comes with a mesh strainer, which is suited to fine-leaf teas, and ensures the flow is not disrupted when pouring. The accompanying teacups are wide-rimmed, guaranteeing a sense of the full aroma with each sip.

Green Tokoname Teapot Set - $99.99 at Japan Objects Store

9. Ark Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth

Furoshiki, a portmanteau of furo (bath) and shiki (spread), were used by the samurai during hot spring bathing sessions, when they would spread the cloth along the floor as they redressed. Today, however, they are much more multipurpose, serving as tablecloths, giftwraps, wall decorations, blankets and even makeshift bags. This stunning Ark Furoshiki features the Seven Gods of Fortune setting sail amidst a kaleidoscope of colors.

Ark Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth - $49.99 at Japan Objects Store

10. Maneki Neko Apron

Maneki Neko, or good luck cat dolls with bobbing arms, are among the most recognizable features of Japanese spiritual culture. This maekake, an apron used by cooks and artisans for more than 200 years, is emblazoned with a maneki neko from a 19th-century advert. The design has been stitched against an indigo-dyed background, which is also a common theme in Japanese art. Adding more historical intrigue to the accessory, this apron was woven on a 100-year old loom by skilled craftsmen in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture.

Maneki Neko Apron - $69.99 at Japan Objects Store

11. Kanzashi

Have you mastered the effortless updo yet? There’s no need to watch tutorials over and over again, because this kanzashi, or hair pin, is all you need to pull off an elegant look. Made in Kyoto, this silk hair piece features cherry blossoms in bloom, with petals gently swaying in the wind. Wear it during an interview, or even a formal gathering -- the possibilities (and hairstyles) are endless!

Kanzashi - $79.99 at Japan Objects Store

12. Oshidori Silk Travel Makeup Bag

Channel the essence of an oiran, a high-ranking courtesan, draped in a luxurious kimono with this silk brocade travel makeup bag from Tatsumura Textile, a world-renowned and award-winning producer of silk textiles. Handmade in Kyoto, the heart of Japan’s weaving industry, the intricately detailed nishiki mandarin duck design is a type of brocade that employs a variety of multicolored and metallic silk threads.

Oshidori Silk Travel Makeup Bag - $79.99 at Japan Objects Store

13. Diamond Weave Obi Belt

What better way to accent your kimono or yukata than with an obi. Understated but undeniably chic, this Fuchsia Diamond Weave Obi belt adds a subtle iridescent touch of sophistication that compliments traditional garments and can be worn all year round. Better yet, pair this obi with high-waisted jeans or trousers, a dress, or coat to create a harmonious fusion of east-meets-west fashion.

Diamond Weave Obi Belt - $24.99 at Japan Objects Store

14. Stone Grey Tokoname Teapot

This stone grey yokode kyusu, also crafted in Tokoname, bears an austere, stony hue, making it look like a relic from the Jomon era (14,000 – 300 BC). This color is created by reduction firing, where the kiln has insufficient oxygen to complete combustion. The teapot has also been marked with a cutting tool before firing, giving it a continuous pattern that resembles twisted threads. It also comes packaged with a semi-handmade ceramic strainer.

Stone Grey Tokoname Teapot - $89.99 at Japan Objects Store

15. Pureland Folding Fan

Crafted in Kyoto, and featuring blue lotus designs by Hideki Kimura, this elegant folding fan is a great way to stay cool during the humid summer months in Japan. The fan is handmade from washi paper, and requires thirty steps to manufacture, making it a boutique product that’s both delicate yet built to last. Moreover, the outer frame is sourced from local sandalwood, emitting a soothing aroma when the fan is wafted.

Pureland Folding Fan - $69.99 at Japan Objects Store

16. Koi Azuma Tote Bag

Reminiscent of a traditional furoshiki cloth, this 100% cotton tote is inspired by a centuries-old design. Not only is it lightweight and flexible, but it also has three pockets built into the fabric, and cowhide and brass fastenings to give it a touch of class. The design by contemporary artist Hideki Kimura features koi carps, symbols of luck and prosperity in Japanese culture that are often found swimming in the ponds of temples and heritage gardens.

Koi Azuma Tote Bag - $89.99 at Japan Objects Store

17. Horikiri Iris Tenugui Towel

Featuring the woodblock print, Horikiri Iris, by Utagawa Hiroshige, who is widely considered to be the last great master of ukiyo-e, this lightweight tenugui is hand printed with the lesser known symbol of samurai and the Japanese national holiday, Children’s Day. While tenugui can be used as hand towels and washcloths, hang as a tapestry to create the illusion of a view into Horikiri Shobu-en, the iris garden located in eastern Tokyo that inspired the original woodblock print.

Horikiri Iris Tenugui Towel - $24.99 at Japan Objects Store

18. Bingata Wooden Geta Sandals

Finding a comfortable pair of geta sandals can be tough, especially if you’re not used to traditional Japanese footwear. But these geta, made from light, warp-resistant paulownia wood compliment the curvature of the foot, and they look great with a summer yukata. The sandal strap bears a vibrant textile design, called bingata, a traditional Okinawan dyeing technique that dates back to the 14th-century Ryukyu Kingdom.

Bingata Wooden Geta Sandals - $79.99 at Japan Objects Store

19. Red Clay Tokoname Teapot

This clay teapot features the distinctive red hue of Tokoname pottery; a result of iron deposits in the clay, which are said to soften the astringency of and add roundness to Japanese green tea. A yokode kyusu, or side-handled pot – popular in Japanese tea drinking culture – it’s lightweight, resistant and smooth, and comes with ceramic strainer, called a sasame.

Red Clay Tokoname Teapot - $59.99 at Japan Objects Store

20. Ume Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth

One of the earliest signs of spring in Japan are the fragrant blooms of ume, plum blossoms, a sweet reminder on chilly winter days that warmer temperatures are on the way. This furoshiki is a quirky and modern pop art twist on a flower that makes frequent appearances in Japanese literature, prints and textiles. Use this 35” (90cm) furoshiki to wrap a bottle of plum wine for a double gift that is sure to be remembered. It also comes gift wrapped in gorgeous Japanese washi paper!

Ume Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth - $44.99 at Japan Objects Store

21. Lily Kanzashi Brooch

Brooches may be a little out of fashion in the West these days, but this elegant kanzashi from Kyoto, which doubles up a hairclip, has an attractive, modern aesthetic. Made from 100% silk sourced from Kyo-Tango that is shaped into the petals of a white summer lily, the brooch is subtle yet allows for a slight pop of color to brighten up your seasonal ensembles.

Lily Kanzashi Brooch - $59.99 at Japan Objects Store

22. Koi Noren Curtain

If you’ve ever felt intrigued by irezumi, traditional Japanese tattoos, but haven’t been able to work up the nerve to get yourself inked, then this koi noren curtain is a stylish alternative that won’t leave you with regret (or unable to enter a Japanese public bath!). A dynamic school of vermillion and black carp, the symbol of courage, good luck, and perseverance, is based on a hand-painted mural done by contemporary visual artist Hideki Kimura. Comes beautifully gift-wrapped in Japanese washi paper!

Koi Noren Curtain - $79.99 at Japan Objects Store

23. Dragon Kyoto Ware Sake Cup

If you want to drink sake like a pro, you’ll need the proper materials. This Dragon Kyoto Ware Sake Cup, crafted in a kiln in Japan’s ancient capital, is the perfect vessel from which to enjoy chilled rice wine. With a roughhewn texture that evokes the power and good fortune of the dragon, the cup, or ochoko, comes packaged in a box printed with a chrysanthemum, the Imperial Seal of Japan.

Dragon Kyoto Ware Sake Cup - $59.99 at Japan Objects Store

24. Black Grain Teacup Set

When drinking Japanese tea, a mug just doesn’t feel right. So why not pick up this black grain teacup set from Tokoname, hand-crafted for drinking high-grade herbal teas? The teacups’ stone gradation brings to mind the famous rock gardens of Japan, like Ryoan-ji in Kyoto, with a fading light-to-dark hue that resembles the balance of nature.

Black Grain Teacup Set - $79.99 at Japan Objects Store

25. Half-Moon Bizen Ware Sushi Plate

A product of Bizen, a famous pottery town in Okayama Prefecture, this beautiful half-moon sushi plate is perfect for serving up slices raw fish on beds of rice, as well as cakes, sweets and a variety of savory dishes. The plate’s rustic, natural appearance is evocative of the Japanese concept of wabi sabi, the beauty of imperfection, with a natural exterior glaze referred to as goma, meaning “sesame seed.”

Half-Moon Bizen Ware Sushi Plate - $69.99 at Japan Objects Store

26. Black Lacquer Tea Caddy

In Japan, tea is typically stored in a caddy, and more often than not, these caddies are beautiful expressions of Japanese artistic refinement. This black tea caddy, made in Ishikawa Prefecture, a hub of traditional craftsmanship in Japan, pairs its glossy, lacquered finish with a green and gold bamboo motif. It is specifically designed to store and dispensed powdered matcha tea.

Black Lacquer Tea Caddy - $89.99 at Japan Objects Store

27. Bamboo Charcoal Water Filter by Ippinka

As you slurp your ramen in a Tokyo restaurant you might notice that nestled in the bottom in the pitcher of iced water in front of you, there is a small black stick. This bamboo charcoal stick is there to filter the water, in particular to remove the taste of chlorine from tap water. Place one of these charcoal sticks in your water pitcher overnight, and see what a difference it makes!

Bamboo Charcoal Water Filter - Available at Amazon

28. Face Sheet Mask by Mitomo

Japanese beauty counters are packed tight with facemasks, so only the best quality products will manage to stand out. Mitomo’s face masks are particularly well-received, with reviewers pointing to suppler skin with improved tone. This packet of 10 cotton facemasks are infused with Q10 and Lithospermum to help refresh and revitalize the skin.

Face Sheet Mask - Available at Amazon

29. Deep Cleansing Oil by DHC

Using oil as a cleanser may sound strange to some, but it is actually highly effective at removing cosmetics, dirt and grime without irritating the skin. The water-soluble, antioxidant-rich formula is made with an olive oil base. Unlike other harsh cleansers, this rich oil soothes flakey, irritated skin while providing instant hydration.

Cleansing Oil - Available at Amazon

30. Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ by Bioré

Japanese women go to great lengths to avoid skin-ageing sun exposure, so only the best sunscreens will do. This award-winning formulation from Bioré ships directly from Japan but you can buy it on Amazon. It is a full spectrum screen that is suitable for most skin types, providing strong protection without clogging your pores or unseemly white streaks.

Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ - Available at Amazon

Updated June, 2023 | Lifestyle, Shopping

JO SELECTS offers helpful suggestions, and genuine recommendations for high-quality, authentic Japanese art & design. We know how difficult it is to search for Japanese artists, artisans and designers on the vast internet, so we came up with this lifestyle guide to highlight the most inspiring Japanese artworks, designs and products for your everyday needs.

All product suggestions are independently selected and individually reviewed. We try our best to update information, but all prices and availability are subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, Japan Objects earns from qualifying purchases.