15 Best Japanese Products Worth Importing (That You Can't Get Elsewhere)

Japan has some of the best shopping in the world — but the really good stuff often doesn’t make it overseas. Whether it’s vintage cameras at unbeatable prices, limited-edition snacks, or stationery that puts your office supplies to shame, there’s a whole world of Japanese products waiting to be discovered.

Here are 15 categories worth importing, why they’re better from Japan, and what specifically to look for.

1. Vintage Film Cameras

Japan was the camera capital of the world, and it shows. The secondhand market is flooded with well-maintained Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, and Minolta bodies and lenses.

Why buy from Japan:

• Prices are 30-50% lower than Western markets
• Japanese sellers grade items honestly and conservatively
• Better selection of rare and obscure models
• Items are often in better condition due to Japan’s culture of careful maintenance

What to look for:

• Canon AE-1, Nikon FM2, Olympus OM-1 — classic beginner cameras
• Japanese-market versions sometimes have unique features
• Lenses often cheaper than bodies

New to photography? Check out our best cameras for beginners guide to know what to look for.

Budget: $50-300 for excellent starter cameras

2. Japanese Stationery

If you’ve ever used a Pilot pen or a Kokuyo notebook, you know Japan takes stationery seriously. The domestic market has items that never get exported.

Why buy from Japan:

• Japan-exclusive colors and limited editions
• Lower prices on premium brands
• Access to professional-grade supplies

What to look for:

• Pilot Vanishing Point — Cheaper than international retail
• Tombow Mono Graph mechanical pencils — Better variety
• Midori MD notebooks — Full range of sizes
• Kokuyo Campus notebooks — Bulk packs
• Pentel Orenz Nero — Hard to find outside Japan

Budget: $10-100 depending on items

3. Japanese Snacks and Kit-Kats

Japan has hundreds of Kit-Kat flavors that never leave the country. Matcha, sake, strawberry cheesecake, sweet potato — the variety is absurd.

Why buy from Japan:

• Regional exclusives only sold in specific prefectures
• Seasonal flavors that disappear quickly
• Better prices than imported specialty stores

What to look for:

• Regional Kit-Kat boxes (Tokyo Banana, Kyoto Matcha, Hokkaido Melon)
• Seasonal flavors (Sakura, Chestnut, Sweet Potato)
• Premium lines (Chocolatory series, Sublime)
• Japanese candy variety packs

Budget: $15-50 for a good assortment (shipping can be tricky for food)

Note: Check your country’s food import regulations before ordering.

4. Anime Figures and Merchandise

Japan is ground zero for anime merchandise. Selection, prices, and availability are all better.

Why buy from Japan:

• First access to new releases
• Japan-exclusive variants
• Significantly lower prices (sometimes 50% off Western retail)
• Better condition secondhand market

What to look for:

• Prize figures — Affordable, high quality
• Scale figures — From manufacturers like Good Smile, Alter, Kotobukiya
• Nendoroids — Cheaper domestically
• Limited convention exclusives

Where to shop: Mandarake (used), Suruga-ya, AmiAmi, Yahoo Auctions

Budget: $15 for prize figures, $100+ for scale figures

5. Japanese Watches

Seiko and Citizen make Japan-only models that outclass their international counterparts. The secondhand market is equally impressive.

Why buy from Japan:

• JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) models — Better specs, nicer dials
• Vintage Seiko at reasonable prices
• Access to brands like Orient and Minase
• Lower prices on new models

What to look for:

• Seiko Presage — JDM versions with better dials
• Seiko Alpinist — Japan-exclusive colorways
• Grand Seiko — Slight savings on new models
• Vintage King Seiko, Lord Marvel — Excellent value

Budget: $100-1000+ depending on model

6. Japanese Whisky

Japanese whisky has become world-famous, but supply can’t meet demand. Japan still has bottles you can’t find elsewhere.

Why buy from Japan:

• Access to allocated and limited releases
• Lower prices on everyday bottles
• Distillery exclusives

What to look for:

• Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki (if you can find them)
• Nikka From The Barrel
• Lesser-known distilleries like Mars, Akashi

Note: Alcohol shipping regulations vary by country. Check before ordering.

Budget: $30-500+ depending on bottle

7. Japanese Skincare and Beauty

Japanese beauty products have cult followings for good reason. Many top products are Japan-exclusive.

Why buy from Japan:

• Lower prices on brands like Shiseido, SK-II, HABA
• Japan-exclusive formulations
• Access to drugstore gems

What to look for:

• Hada Labo lotions — Cult favorites
• Biore UV sunscreens — Best in class
• DHC cleansing oil
• Shiseido Japan-only lines
• Canmake, Cezanne — Affordable, high-quality makeup

Budget: $10-100+ depending on products

8. Retro Video Games

Japan kept games that never got Western releases, and the secondhand market is thriving.

Why buy from Japan:

• Japan-exclusive titles and RPGs
• Better prices on common games
• Higher-quality used games (Japanese sellers grade strictly)
• Special editions and limited runs

What to look for:

• Super Famicom RPGs (many never translated)
• PlayStation Japan exclusives
• Retro consoles in better condition
• Limited edition systems

Where to shop: Suruga-ya, Hard Off, Yahoo Auctions

Budget: $10-200+ depending on rarity

9. Traditional Crafts

Japan’s traditional crafts are world-class, and buying direct supports artisans while saving money.

Why buy from Japan:

• Direct from source, not marked up by importers
• Access to workshops and artisans not sold internationally
• Better selection

What to look for:

• Kumano brushes — World’s best makeup brushes
• Nambu ironware — Cast iron kettles and pans
• Arita/Hasami porcelain — Beautiful ceramics
• Washi paper — For journaling, crafts
• Tenugui — Traditional cotton towels

Budget: $20-300+ depending on craft

10. Kitchen Tools

Japanese kitchen tools are legendary. The domestic market has items not exported.

Why buy from Japan:

• Professional-grade tools at consumer prices
• Japan-only brands and models
• Better variety of sizes and styles

What to look for:

• Japanese knives — Shun, Global, Tojiro at better prices
• Mandolines — Benriner, Kyocera
• Rice cookers — Zojirushi, Tiger (Japanese models have more features)
• Cast iron pans — Iwachu, Oigen
• Bento boxes — Proper Japanese quality

Budget: $30-500+ depending on items

11. Japanese Fashion

From streetwear to heritage brands, Japan’s fashion scene offers unique pieces.

Why buy from Japan:

• Brands not sold internationally (Beams, United Arrows, Journal Standard)
• Vintage and secondhand market is exceptional
• Japanese sizing for smaller frames
• Unique collaborations

What to look for:

• Uniqlo Japan exclusives — Collaborations, special lines
• Vintage denim — Japanese selvedge brands
• Streetwear — BAPE, Neighborhood, WTAPS
• Heritage brands — Kapital, Visvim, Engineered Garments Japan

Budget: $30-500+ depending on brand

12. Books and Manga

Japanese books, manga, and art books in their original form.

Why buy from Japan:

• Original Japanese editions (better printing quality)
• Art books not published internationally
• Magazines with exclusive content
• Significantly lower prices

What to look for:

• Manga in original Japanese
• Art books from favorite artists
• Photography books
• Fashion magazines
• Instruction manuals for hobbies

Budget: $10-100+ depending on books

13. Musical Instruments

Japanese-made instruments and Japan-only models offer great value.

Why buy from Japan:

• Japanese Fender/Gibson — Made in Japan models
• Vintage Japanese guitars (Tokai, Greco, Burny)
• Yamaha professional instruments
• Used instruments in excellent condition

Budget: $200-2000+ depending on instrument

14. Model Kits (Gunpla, Scale Models)

Japan dominates the model kit market. Bandai’s Gundam models and Tamiya’s scale models are best bought at source.

Why buy from Japan:

• Lower prices (sometimes 30-50% off)
• First access to new releases
• P-Bandai exclusives (online only)
• Limited edition kits

What to look for:

• Gunpla — Master Grade, Real Grade, Perfect Grade
• Tamiya — Military, cars, motorcycles
• Hasegawa — Aircraft
• Kotobukiya — Frame Arms, mecha kits

Budget: $15-300+ depending on grade

15. Electronics and Gadgets

Japan still makes quirky, unique electronics not sold elsewhere.

Why buy from Japan:

• Japan-only gadgets and accessories
• Better prices on some items
• Vintage electronics in working condition

What to look for:

• Vintage Sony and Panasonic gear
• Japanese calculators (Casio)
• Unique phone accessories
• Retro audio equipment

Note: Check voltage compatibility. Japan uses 100V; many devices need converters.

Budget: Varies widely

How to Start Shopping

New to buying from Japan? Check out our complete beginner’s guide for step-by-step instructions, or read our Buyee vs Sendico comparison to choose the right proxy service.

1. Pick a category that interests you
2. Set up a proxy service account (Buyee for beginners, Sendico for budget)
3. Research prices — Check Yahoo Auctions, Mercari, Rakuten
4. Start small — Make your first purchase something inexpensive to learn the process
5. Join communities — Reddit, forums, and Discord servers for your hobby often have Japan shopping tips

Final Thoughts

Japan’s consumer market is incredibly deep. Whatever your hobby or interest, there’s probably a Japanese version that’s better, cheaper, or simply not available anywhere else.

The shipping costs and proxy fees are worth it when you’re getting items at 30-50% below Western prices — or finding things that simply don’t exist in your local market.

Start exploring during your next slow afternoon at work. You might discover your new favorite thing.