10 Everyday Items That Surprise Foreign Visitors
In Japan, even ordinary stationery and household tools often carry unique ideas or clever innovations. Many travelers are surprised to discover items they’ve never seen before, even though Japanese people use them daily without a second thought.
Here are 10 stationery and kitchen gadgets that foreign visitors often find fascinating during their trip to Japan.
✏️ Stationery & Household Goods (5 Items)
Kurutoga Mechanical Pencil (Always Sharp)
A mechanical pencil that keeps the lead sharp by automatically rotating as you write.
Foreigners are amazed by the thought: “Why invent something so detailed?” It’s a popular souvenir for students, artists, and stationery lovers.
Togari Turn Pencil Sharpener (Auto-Return Type)
This clever sharpener senses when the pencil is perfectly sharpened and automatically releases it.
Visitors often exclaim “So smart!” — a perfect example of Japan’s dedication to small conveniences.
Sudare (Traditional Bamboo Blinds)
Light bamboo blinds hung over windows during summer.
They soften harsh sunlight, let cool breezes flow in, and add a nostalgic Japanese aesthetic. More than a tool, they’re part of the summer scenery in Japan.
Masking Tape (Washi Tape)
Originating in Japan, washi tape comes in endless colors and patterns — seasonal motifs, regional designs, and limited editions.
Travelers often end up buying multiple rolls as souvenirs for decorating journals, gifts, or crafts.
Puku-puku stickers (Puffy Stickers )
Cute stickers that are soft and slightly raised.
From animals to food motifs, the designs are endless. These playful stickers fascinate foreign visitors and make charming decorations for notebooks, letters, and gifts.
🍳 Tableware & Kitchen Tools (5 Items)
Tamagoyaki Pan (Square Omelet Pan)
A rectangular frying pan designed for making Japanese rolled omelets, called tamagoyaki.
You pour a thin layer of egg, roll it, then repeat to create fluffy layers — a familiar sight in Japanese kitchens but surprising for those used to round pans.
Boiled Egg Gadgets (Slicer & Pin)
- Egg slicer: Cuts boiled eggs into perfect slices for salads and sandwiches.
- Egg pin: Pricks a tiny hole before boiling to make the shell easier to peel.
Foreign visitors often laugh and say: “Gadgets just for eggs?!” — but they love the convenience.
Standing Rice Paddle & Standing Butter Knife
Utensils designed to stand upright on their own, keeping the table clean.
It’s a small detail, but it perfectly represents Japan’s focus on hygiene and practical design. There are even self-standing ladles and pot lids!
Specialty Spoons (Ramen, Watermelon/Melon, Strawberry)
- Slotted ramen spoon: Lets you scoop noodles and toppings while draining broth. Especially handy for eating ramen corn!
- Watermelon/melon spoon: With serrated or split tips, it easily scrapes fruit from the rind and removes seeds.
- Strawberry spoon: Features tiny ridges on the back, designed for mashing strawberries — often enjoyed with sugar and milk in Japan.
Travelers can’t believe there are “dedicated spoons” for specific foods!
Miso Strainer
A small tool for dissolving miso paste into soup.
Instead of leaving lumps by stirring with a spoon, this gadget creates a smooth, flavorful miso soup with ease. It highlights Japan’s devotion to perfecting even everyday dishes.
🧳 Where to Shop for These Items
- 100-Yen Shops (Daiso, Seria, Can★Do): Lightweight, inexpensive, and fun souvenirs.
- Loft & Tokyu Hands: Trendy stationery and unique kitchen gadgets in one place.
- Supermarkets & Home Centers: Everyday kitchen tools and traditional items like sudare.
💡 Conclusion
For Japanese people, these items are part of daily life. But for foreign visitors, they are often surprising and delightful discoveries.
Exploring 100-yen shops, supermarkets, or stationery stores can be just as fun as sightseeing — and you’ll return home with souvenirs that truly represent Japanese daily culture.
