Designer's Choice
Every guide and story on this site — watches, fishing tackle, knives, crafts and stationery — chosen and written by one designer in Japan. Not an algorithm; one person.
Gunpla for the Dad Who Grew Up on Gundam: A Fan's Picks, From Char's Zaku to Wing Zero
A Gundam fan in Japan picks the Gunpla kit to give by the series he started with: Char's Zaku and the RX-78-2 for the Universal Century, Strike Freedom for SEED, Wing Zero for the Toonami generation, Exia for 00. What the grades mean, which kits to give, the nippers to put in the box, and a finished figure for the dad who won't build.
Star Wars Figures From Japan for the Fan Who's Seen Them All: My Picks, From Obi-Wan to Grogu
A Star Wars fan in Japan picks the figure to give by the trilogy he started with: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader for the prequel generation, Han Solo and the droids for the original trilogy, the Mandalorian, Grogu and Boba Fett for the Disney+ years. What S.H.Figuarts are, which ones to give, and how to order from Japan.
A Tamagotchi for the Grown-Up Who Had One in the '90s — and for Their Kid
A designer in Japan who raised a Tamagotchi under a school desk picks the one to give now: the Tamagotchi Uni, with English on screen, for the grown-up who remembers; the R2-D2 Tamagotchi for a Star Wars fan; and two anime Tamagotchis from Japan for fans who don't mind Japanese. Plus the language check to make before you order.
A Japanese Watch as a Push Present for the Wife Who Doesn't Wear Jewelry
Most push-present lists start with jewelry. If your wife rarely wears it, a watch can mark the same moment and still be used every day. Three Japanese watches compared, and how to choose without guessing.
Seiko LUKIA Explained: The Japanese Women's Watch Americans Rarely See
Seiko LUKIA launched in Japan in 1995 as a practical watch for working women. What made it different, why it's rarely seen in the US, two models to start with, and what to check before importing one.
A Japanese Watch for Dad's Retirement—and the Time That Comes Next
Choosing a Japanese watch for Dad's retirement by the life he wants next, not by price: a Casio Oceanus that charges from light and sets itself, or a Seiko Presage with a hand-lacquered dial and a mechanical movement. What to check about the watch he already wears, the makers' own specifications, and a note for the card.
A Japanese Slicing Knife for the Dad Who Carves Christmas Dinner Every Year
A Japanese sujihiki for the dad who carves Christmas dinner every year: who it suits, what it can slice, what it should never be used on, and what to check before ordering from Japan.
3 Times You'll Be Glad You're Wearing a G-SHOCK Outdoors
Where a G-SHOCK actually earns its place: reading altitude on a climb, taking knocks in a garage or on site, and staying on your wrist through a snowboard fall. Three Japanese-market models, with Japanese owner reviews and what to check first.
What Actually Goes in an Analog Bag
An analog bag only works if you open it. How to choose what goes in by how long your gaps actually are, the four slots worth filling, the small thing most people forget, and three Japanese tools that earn their space.
A Watch You Never Have to Charge: For Anyone Done With Their Smartwatch
You can turn notifications off, but you can't turn off the charger. For anyone who just wants to know the time: what never charging really means, three plain watches from Casio and Seiko, and what you give up.
Ordering a Gift from Japan in Time for Christmas: What Actually Decides When It Arrives
Will a gift ordered from Japan arrive by Christmas? What the shops actually state about shipping, last year's holiday schedule, who pays the duties, and why you should open the box the day it lands.
How Japan Celebrates Christmas: Fried Chicken, Strawberry Cake, and a Day That Isn't a Holiday
In Japan, Christmas isn't a public holiday, dinner is often a bucket of KFC, and the cake is strawberry shortcake. How that happened, what December looks like from here, and what it means if you're ordering a gift from Japan.