The Japanese Shop

The Japanese Shop: authentic Japanese gifts since 1998

The Japanese Shop is a UK-based online store dedicated to selling authentic Japanese gifts and products. According to its own presentation, it has carefully selected and curated its catalogue since 1998 and describes itself as the number one choice for unique Japanese gifts. The shop operates primarily through its website, offering free UK delivery on orders over £60, free returns and a Japanese-style gift wrapping service.

Product catalogue

The range covers several clearly differentiated categories:

• Kimono and traditional clothing: kimono for women, men and girls, in short, long and extra-large versions; cotton, embroidered, silk and vintage kimono; haori jackets and yukata.
• Dolls: kokeshi dolls (boy, girl, couples, Christmas and Year of the Animal editions), Japanese dolls and daruma.
• Lucky charms and objects: Japanese lucky cats, lucky cat prints and crystal charms.
• Tableware and dinnerware: Japanese bowls (crackleglaze, Eureka, Kyutarou Blue), plates, serving dishes, matcha tea cups and teapots, glasses and jugs, trays, vases, Japanese lacquerware, tableware sets (bowl, glassware, sake, sushi and tea sets).
• Cutlery: Japanese chopsticks, chopstick rests, coasters, soup spoons and tea caddies.
• Stationery: calendars, calligraphy sets, playing cards, notebooks, postcards, stickers and cards for various occasions (birthdays, Christmas, congratulations, kanji, Mother's Day, thank you, wedding, shugi bukuro).
• Books and gifts: Japanese books, gift wrap and tags, and puzzles.
• Art: Japanese art, works by Katsushika Hokusai, Saren Nagata and Utagawa Hiroshige, prints, woodblock prints and hanging scrolls.
• Accessories and fashion: bags, cufflinks, fans, glasses cases, handkerchiefs, obi, furoshiki, jewellery boxes, kabazaiku, lanterns, tenugui and wind chimes.

Japanese lacquerware

The shop highlights an exclusive collection of Japanese lacquerware that combines traditional craftsmanship and timeless aesthetics. Pieces in the catalogue include lacquered jewellery boxes with motifs of Mount Fuji with sakura and momiji, maiko, fans, butterflies and cherry blossom; as well as lacquered vases with orchid and crane motifs. Prices shown at the time of analysis ranged from £24 to £45.

Shipping, returns and customer service

The shop offers free UK delivery on orders over £60, free returns and a Japanese-style gift wrapping service. Telephone support is available on (01423) 876320. The site includes sections for FAQs, privacy policy, terms and conditions, complaints and customer feedback, as well as a corporate gifts programme and gift vouchers.

Customer rating

The site shows an average rating of 4.96 stars based on 2,830 verified reviews, according to data collected on the website itself.

Informative content and other activities

The shop maintains a blog on Japanese culture with articles such as school sports day (undōkai), the tradition of tsukimi or moon viewing, and Japanese festivals. It also has a visitable showroom space and takes part in charitable initiatives and at RHS Garden Harlow Carr. It also handles wholesale enquiries.