Must-Buy Japanese Gifts

Shop from Japan's No.1 Shopping Site!

Have you been sad and frustrated when you discover great Japanese products that aren't available here? Or have you ever spent a crazy amount of effort and money to find items from Japan? Your problems are now over. Japan's biggest online shopping mall, Rakuten Ichiba, has started an overseas shipping service. You can now obtain products ranging from rare collectible items to hard-to-find artisans' crafts directly from Japan as easily as you buy regular items over the Internet. Here are four reasons to check out Rakuten Ichiba online:

1. Overwhelming Number of Items and Participating Shops

30 thousand shops have set up online shopping sites with Rakuten Ichiba, and as of August 2009, about ten thousand shops and thirteen million products are available for purchase from overseas.

2. Amazing Variety

There is a tremendous variety of items for sale. These include Japanese products that are hard to find in the U.S., such as traditional crafts, high-quality home electronics, chic and cute stationery, the latest anime- and manga-related products, popular items like Hello Kitty goods and many other popular items. Your options are almost unlimited.

3. Multiple Languages

The Rakuten Ichiba website for overseas users conveniently supports four languages: English, Korean, and two styles of written Chinese. You can choose the one you feel most comfortable using to indulge your urge to shop.

4. Convenient Delivery Service

Since Rakuten Ichiba has established a thorough overseas shipping service with EMS (Worldwide Express Mail Service) and DHL, your package will be delivered to your door.

There is absolutely no need to go to Japan to buy Japanese products today. One click to Rakuten Ichiba will open up new horizons for you.

Shopping As If I Were In Japan At RAKUTEN ICHIBA

Living outside of Japan is a disadvantage for those who crave Japanese items. I had been looking for a yukata (a casual cotton kimono) for my Japanese dance lessons for a long time. It always gave me a headache trying to find the one which met my requirements in terms of design, size, price, etc., but since I found Rakuten Ichiba, the annoyance was eased greatly. I just access their website, input the keywords for my shopping research, and Rakuten Ichiba provides a variety of yukata options as well as other accessories and necessary items for wearing yukata such as geta (Japanese sandals) and obi-sash, etc. Even if you don’t really know what to buy, just try surfing on the website by playing with keywords. Something will get your attention. Rakuten Ichiba is absolutely the service that we have longed for.
---- Nancy K., New York

Go to the website and get started!
http://event.rakuten.co.jp/borderless/index_en.html
or search by the words “Rakuten international shipping services”.

This is the most popular hair iron among Japanese users. Equipped with negative ion-emitting ceramics, it enables you to get straight hair with a glossy sheen. If you use keyword “Hair Straightener” for your search, you’ll find different types of hair straightening irons.

The yukata is a casual version of the kimono. This set, containing a yukata, obi, undergarment, and cord and ornamental clip for the obi, will get you started. For finding more yukata and related products, either search by keyword “yukata” or click the banner titled “kimono” on the top page.

This Pikachu puppet is adorable. You can play with it with your family and friends, but you can also enjoy Pikachu just hanging on the wall. The banner “Japanese Culture” on the top page directs you to various related items. Then click “toys & hobby,” and you’ll find pokemon items. Or you can directly input keyword “pokemon” to search.

This ornamental hairpin modeled after nadeshiko flowers is carefully handcrafted. You can use it as a hair accessory or as a brooch. Click the banner titled “kimono” on the bottom of the top page, and that directs you to more products with a taste of Japan.

This modern version of geta, Japanese traditional sandals, has a playful pop design. You can wear them with kimono, and they also go perfectly with casual Western fashions.

A variety of figurines of anime and manga characters are available at Rakuten Ichiba. This figurine of Goku from Dragon Ball is one of many. Click the banner “Japanese Culture” for more variety.