2019 Holiday Gift Guide

Christmas is just around the corner. We’ve put together a holiday gift guide for your adventure-loving family and friends in Japan and travelers in Japan this holiday season.

For the Powderhound

Oyuki is a Niseko-born brand producing ski gloves and mittens for Hokkaido’s harsh winters and deep powder without sacrificing style. “Oyuki” literally means “big snow.” The Pep, named after its designer and professional freeskier Pep Fujas, is a full-goatskin leather mitt with a trigger-style grip for dexterity. The women’s Maad GTX designed by professional freeskier Maude Raymond provides all-round performance.

For the Hiker

Keep your loved ones warm on your winter adventures with the latest edition of Montbell’s Down Parka collection. Recipient of the Backpacker Magazine Editors’ Choice Snow Award 2019, the Ignis Down Parka is a lightweight windbreaker, which utilizes Goretex’s Infinium Windstopper to tackle wind and rain even in blasting frigid conditions. Japanese outdoor retailer Montbell also offers a variety of affordable, designed-in-Japan outdoor wear available online.

For the Camper

Impress hungry stomachs with a warm meal or hot coffee on the top of a mountain or during those long winter camping nights. Light and easy to stow in your pack, the all-in-one Jetboil Micromo is the lightest, self-contained cooking system in the Jetboil cooking collection, allowing you to easily prepare meals, boil fast or simmer slow. The bottom cover doubles as a measuring cup and bowl. For shoppers in Japan, order online or in-store at Montbell.

For the Surfer

Built for barrels and bodysurfs, Patagonia’s Nanogrip Bikini Top uses innovative, stay-put lining for tricky situations in the water. The men’s Stretch Hydroflow Boardshorts are equally resilient, fast-drying and light, making them ideal for surfing, kitesurfing or bodysurfing. Fair Trade Certified sewn and perfect if you’re heading to the tropics for some holiday surf with your partner.

For the Foodie

Have a friend who’s missing Japan? Support local while giving the ultimate gift of love – food! Journey through the Land of the Rising Sun with hand-crafted monthly and seasonal care packages filled with unique Japanese foods delivered straight from Japan to your door. Kokoro Cares works directly with regional famers and producers to ensure each item is made locally in Japan. The box comes with its unique monthly/seasonal theme, five to seven premium-quality products and a thorough English explanation on the product and its brand story. Available as a monthly or one-time gift.

For Eco Friends

Look good while saving the planet! Inspired by movement and dance, Dutch fashion brand G-Star RAW uses sustainable denim fabric to create form fitting yet relaxed jeans. The mens’ 5650 3D Relaxed Tapered Jeans and womens’ Joci 3D Mid Slim Jeans are made from the world’s first Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold denim fabric, whose chemistry presents zero risk for the planet. It features 2% of premium degradable stretch fiber from Japan. Using unique 3D twisted seams, the jeans offer a distinctive tapered fit with comfort and mobility—perfect whether you’re going for a light walk outdoors or date night.

For the Person on the Go

Japanese brand Stream Trail started off making functional, quality waterproof bags people could bring on fishing trips. They’ve grown into a lifestyle brand, but their simple design and water-repellant fabrics remain their signature characteristics. If you’re looking for a unique gift for that friend who’s always on the go, the Snapper is a flap backpack you can wear around the city or outdoors even in the rain. Most of the bag is made up of tarpaulin and its sides with the same fabric used for diving wetsuits. There’s an inner velcro lining so you can attach Tank Inner pouches to store your phone, laptop and other valuables. Read more about Stream Trail here.

For the Bookworm

Hokkaido Highway Blues by Will Ferguson is a witty, unpretentious travelogue about hitchhiking from one end of Japan to the other in pursuit of sakura blossoms. Perfect reading for the bookworm in your life who wants to stay warm this winter.