Making the Most of the Weak Yen in Japan
It's no secret that the Japanese yen has been weak for a while now, and the situation doesn't seem likely to change any time soon. If you are visiting Japan from a country with a stronger currency, your money can go a lot farther in Japan. But what should you spend your money on? Food? Goods? Souvenirs?
To answer that, let's take a look at all of the best ways to take advantage of the weak yen when you are visiting Japan.
Ways to Take Advantage of the Weak Yen
Since the yen is weak, it is possible to do a lot more for a lot less money. Here are some examples.
・Stay in Luxury
Staying at luxurious ryokans or fancy hotels, be they local boutique hotels or five-star international hotels, becomes much more realistic when the yen is weaker. And if luxury isn't your style, more reasonable hotels become much more reasonable becomes of the weak yen.
・Indulge in Fine Dining
Japan is known as one of the premier destinations for good food in the world. From Michelin-starred sushi restaurants to kaiseki (traditional Japanese course) meals, fine dining in Japan has become more accessible thanks to the weak yen.
・Go Shopping
Because of the weak yen, Japanese brands and souvenirs are much more affordable. You could go all out and fill up a whole suitcase with souvenirs and goods you buy in Japan.
So let's take a look at the kind of goods you could buy in Japan for much more reasonable prices. We'll break down good options by category and brand. Most of these brands can be found all over Japan.
What Brands to Buy in Japan
・Tableware and Kitchenware
Noritake: Noritake is well-known for its high-quality porcelain dinnerware. Its collections range from classic designs to contemporary styles, meaning you'll be able to find something that fits your style.
Arita-yaki: A company with over 400 years of history, Arita-yaki porcelain features intricate patterns and exceptional durability.
Kutani-yaki: Kutani-yaki was born in Ishikawa Prefecture, and is well-known for its bright colors and bold designs. Ceramic enthusiasts love this brand's pieces for their artistic appeal.
Tsugaru-nuri: Hailing from Aomori Prefecture, Tsugaru-nuri lacquerware is famous for its multi-layered lacquer patterns. Its luxurious appearance makes it a favorite for elegant tableware.
・Fashion
Global Work: Global Work offers simple yet fashionable everyday wear. Their pieces cater to a wide range of age groups. Their high-quality basics with a focus on comfort and versatility are usually reasonably priced. Some of the best clothes to buy here include knitwear, casual trousers, and stylish jackets for all seasons.
COEN: COEN is a casual fashion brand providing comfortable, stylish clothing inspired by American casual wear. Their accessible pricing and relaxed designs are perfect for everyday wear. COEN offers high-quality fabrics and simple designs that appeal to a broad audience. Some good items to pick up from COEN include sweatshirts, chinos, and T-shirts.
・Baby and Kids Products
Combi: A leading brand for baby products, Combi sells strollers, baby carriers, and more. Its ergonomic designs prioritize safety and comfort, making it a favorite among parents in Japan.
Mikihouse: Known for its bright colors, adorable designs, and durable materials, Mikihouse makes high-quality clothing and accessories for children. If you are looking for long-lasting clothes for kids, this is a good place to go shopping.
・Stationery
Mitsubishi Pencil (Uni): Known for smooth writing pens like Jetstream and Uni-ball, Mitsubishi Pencil is a global favorite among stationery enthusiasts.
Tombow Pencil: Tombow is celebrated for its innovative designs and functionality, especially its MONO erasers.
Pilot: Offering everything from fountain pens to colorful gel pens, Pilot is known for its products' reliability and quality.
・Cosmetics
Shiseido: As one of the oldest and most respected beauty brands in the world, Shiseido offers skincare, makeup, and fragrances. Their products cater to diverse skin types and needs.
SK-II: Celebrated for its transformative Pitera-based products, SK-II is synonymous with radiant, youthful skin. The brand's Facial Treatment Essence is a cult favorite among beauty enthusiasts.
DHC: Known for its olive oil-based skincare, DHC delivers affordable yet high-quality cosmetics and health supplements. Its deep cleansing oil is a bestseller loved for its effective, gentle formula.
・Sporting Goods
Mizuno: A trusted name in sports gear, Mizuno provides high-performance products for athletes in baseball, running, and golf. Its commitment to innovation and quality has earned it a loyal following.
Yonex: A leader in badminton, tennis, and golf equipment, Yonex is known for its rackets and sportswear. Professional athletes around the world endorse its products.
Asics: Combining cutting-edge technology with sleek designs, Asics creates running shoes and athletic wear. Its GEL cushioning system is especially popular among runners.
Unique Snacks in Japan
Japan loves snacks, and this is clearly on display with all of the different regional and seasonal flavors of snacks you can find in the country. These exclusive flavors of popular snacks can make for great souvenirs, and since the yen is weak, you can stock up on a whole lot of them for cheap.
You can find these snacks at airports, where duty-free stores usually have them, major train stations (especially those along shinkansen routes). convenience stores, department stores, or Don Quijote.
Here are some must-try limited-edition snacks in Japan.
・KitKat: Japan loves KitKat, so there are tons of limited-edition flavors popular with both tourists and locals. You can find varieties inspired by regional specialties, like matcha (Kyoto), Shinsu apple (Nagano), or roasted green tea (Kanazawa). They also release seasonal flavors like sakura (cherry blossom) in the spring or pumpkin in the autumn. Yo could go home with dozens of different flavors of KitKat and still not try them all.
・Calbee Potato Chips: Calbee's potato chips are some of the most popular in Japan, and their limited-edition flavors are not to be missed. Some flavors to try include regional flavors like Hokkaido Butter Soy Sauce or Setouchi Lemon, inspired by local ingredients. You can also find seasonal varieties, like sweet potato chips in autumn or wasabi mayo flavors in summer. They also make chips in collaboration with famous restaurants, such as Takoyaki or Okonomiyaki chips.
・Hi-Chew: Hi-Chew, is popular around the world for its flavor and chewy texture. In Japan, the brand frequently releases limited-edition varieties, such as regional flavors including Shinshu Grape (Nagano), Yuzu Citrus (Shikoku), or Okinawa Pineapple and mango, each inspired by local produce. They also make seasonal varieties like Sakura Cherry Blossom in spring or Hokkaido Melon in summer.
Hit Up a 100 Yen Store
100 yen stores, the equivalent of dollar stores in other countries, are chock-full of useful products and souvenirs. While inflation and rising costs around the world have forced these 100 yen stores to sell some items for more than 100 yen, there are still tons of bargains to be found at them.
At 100 yen stores, you can buy tableware, character goods, kitchen utensils and supplies, sweets, and more. Many of these items feature traditional Japanese designs, making for great souvenirs. With the yen as weak as it is, you could fill a whole suitcase with 100 yen store products without breaking the bank. So if you are looking for a cheap way to do some shopping in Japan, be sure to head to one of the many 100 yen shops in Japan.
We've written a whole article about 100 yen shops in Japan, so to learn more, click here.
