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10 Best Japan Souvenirs Found at Awesome Discount Store Takeya

10 Best Japan Souvenirs Found at Awesome Discount Store Takeya

Last updated: 6 January 2021

On one corner in Ueno, Tokyo, there is an impressionable purple building called Takeya, which is an old discount store that sells over 180,000 different items.

This store, loved by the locals, sells cheap and high-quality goods and has been open for more than 70 years. From rare hard-to-find goods to the latest and greatest, it has a massive variety of goods on sale which makes it a place to definitely visit.

We will introduce ten Japan souvenirs you can find at Takeya.

Table of Contents
  1. Food section with a huge selection
  2. 1. Tapiru GUMMY: Tapioca-Like Gummies
  3. 2. “Tokyo Mochi Iro Iro” (Various Tokyo Mochi): Taste the Four Seasons with Mochi
  4. 3. Pocky Tokyo Amazake & Pretz Tokyo Monjayaki: Famous Japanese Snacks with Japanese Themes
  5. 4. Taste Every KitKat From All Around Japan
  6. 5. School Lunch Almond Fish: Eat One and You Won’t Stop
  7. 6. Beni Zuwaigani Miso & Kani no mi iri kanimiso: Enjoy the Rich Crab Flavor
  8. Takeya’s Cosmetics Floor Has Something For Everyone
  9. 7. Sengan Senka Perfect Whip: Face Wash With New Moisturizing Technology
  10. 8. REVITAL Day Emulsion: New Line of High-Performance Skin Care
  11. 9. Hyaluronic Acid Undiluted Solution: For Hydrated Fresh and Firm Skin
  12. 10. Face Care Cream Series: Solving Men’s Skin Problems
  13. Have Fun Shopping at Takeya!

Food section with a huge selection

Food section with a huge selection

Takeya’s main building is split between Main Building A (9 floors) and Main Building B (8 floors) but there is a bridge between the two making it easy to walk between them. Both buildings have food on the first floor. Takeya stocks more items than you can imagine; sweets, chocolates, canned goods, condiments, dry fruits, Japanese tea, coffee, dried goods and so many other rare flavors, you will be amazed by what you can find.

Food Buyer Mr. Dachinba, who cooperated in this interview
Food Buyer Mr. Dachinba, who cooperated in this interview

1. Tapiru GUMMY: Tapioca-Like Gummies

Tapiru GUMMY (138 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: NOBEL Confectionary
Tapiru GUMMY (138 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: NOBEL Confectionary

Tapiru GUMMY is a gummy candy that looks like real tapioca and even has the same texture. After receiving the goods, riding the recent popularity of tapioca and its deliciousness and especially put in a gummy you can take with you anywhere, it has sold over 970 bags in two months.

Milk tea flavor and black sugar matcha au lait flavor are on sale. The secret to its tastiness is that the milk tea flavored gummy has milk tea flavored powder sprinkled on top.

2. “Tokyo Mochi Iro Iro” (Various Tokyo Mochi): Taste the Four Seasons with Mochi

“Tokyo Mochi Iro Iro” (420 yen excluding tax).
“Tokyo Mochi Iro Iro” (420 yen excluding tax).

Tokyo Mochi Iro Iro has four different types of mochi (gelatinous rice cake). Made from plants that represent the color of each of the four seasons, you can try four different types of mochi: plum mochi, yomogi mochi (mugwort), tochi mochi (Horse chestnuts), kogane mochi (millet). Each box contains three of each.

The color of the mochi represents each plant and is sure to brighten up your tea time. It is recommended as a Japanese souvenir, as the packaging and wrapping paper are also Japanese design.

3. Pocky Tokyo Amazake & Pretz Tokyo Monjayaki: Famous Japanese Snacks with Japanese Themes

Pocky Tokyo Amazake (798 yen. Excluding tax). Pretz Tokyo Monjayaki (580 yen. Excluding tax). Manufacturer: Glico
Pocky Tokyo Amazake (798 yen. Excluding tax). Pretz Tokyo Monjayaki (580 yen. Excluding tax). Manufacturer: Glico

One charming point of Takeya is it stocks a lot of limited-edition goods. Pocky Tokyo Amazake (sweet sake) and Pretz Tokyo Monjayaki are popular Japanese snacks with a local twist and are only sold in Tokyo.

Pocky Tokyo Amazake is the first sweet sake flavored Pocky which is a collaboration with the only sake brewery in the heart of Tokyo, Tokyo Port Brewery, which opened in 1812. It uses rice and water from Tokyo, with malted rice as its base and add sake lees into the Tokyo Amazake. It has a rich and robust flavor.

Pretz Tokyo Monjayaki has plenty of cabbage kneaded in and you can taste the fragrant sauce and soupy flavor of Monjayaki.

4. Taste Every KitKat From All Around Japan

Local Variety KitKat (800 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Nestle
Local Variety KitKat (800 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Nestle

Each region in Japan has its own limited version of the popular candy bar, KitKat. Takeya stocks every single version.

From, Hokkaido Azuki Strawberry, Tokai Hokuriku Azuki Sandwich, Kyoto Uji Macha, to Kyushu Amaou Strawberry, each has its own unique Japanese flavor. We’re sure you’ll find a flavor to your liking.

5. School Lunch Almond Fish: Eat One and You Won’t Stop

School Lunch Almond Fish (748 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Ueno Chinmi
School Lunch Almond Fish (748 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Ueno Chinmi

School Lunch Almond Fish is something familiar to lunch time at Japanese schools. At Takeya, you can buy bags of 30.

Containing thin strips of almonds and crunchy pieces of fish, it is packed with plenty of calcium, iron and magnesium and considered a healthy food. It is a recommended product for young and old.

6. Beni Zuwaigani Miso & Kani no mi iri kanimiso: Enjoy the Rich Crab Flavor

Beni Zuwaigani Miso (498 yen excluding tax) & Kani no mi iri kanimiso (538 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: MARUYO-FOOD
Beni Zuwaigani Miso (498 yen excluding tax) & Kani no mi iri kanimiso (538 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: MARUYO-FOOD

Beni Zuwaigani Miso (Red Queen Crab Miso) and Kani no mi iri kanimiso (Crab Miso with crab meat) are items Takeya highly recommends. 100% of the red queen crabs come from San’in in Hyogo Prefecture. The hugely popular Kani no mi iri kanimiso is about 50% crab meat with an elegant taste you won’t get tired of.

It goes well with alcohol, warm rice, and it can even be eaten with zosui (rice soup) and sushi.

Takeya’s Cosmetics Floor Has Something For Everyone

Takeya’s Cosmetics Floor Has Something For Everyone

On the 3rd floor of A building, there is a men's cosmetics section and on the 2nd floor of B building is the women’s cosmetics section. Of course, here, they also stock a large variety of products. They have products for all seasons and ages, so you will definitely find something you want.

7. Sengan Senka Perfect Whip: Face Wash With New Moisturizing Technology

Sengan Senka Perfect Whip (375 yen excluding tax). Sengan Senka Perfect Whip Collagen IN (498 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Shiseido
Sengan Senka Perfect Whip (375 yen excluding tax). Sengan Senka Perfect Whip Collagen IN (498 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Shiseido

Sengan Hada Senka Perfect Whip is one of the most popular face cleansing products. It lathers into a rich dense microfoam that covers the skin and washes off leaving your skin feeling smooth and moisturized. Using new moisturizing technology, it gives a deeper clean than past cleansers and makes your skin look more vibrant.

Natural derived silk essence W hyaluronic acid combination and Sengan Senka Perfect Whip Collagen IN has collagen combined. Enjoy the gorgeous floral scent while you wash your face.

8. REVITAL Day Emulsion: New Line of High-Performance Skin Care

REVITAL Day Emulsion (3,900 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Shiseido.
REVITAL Day Emulsion (3,900 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Shiseido.

REVITAL, released in February 2020, is the latest high-end skincare brand from the leading Japanese cosmetic company Shiseido. As a high-performance skincare product for the treatment of skin damage caused by ultraviolet rays that has been developed for people in their 40s and 50s, Shiseido has announced 11 types of products in the REVITAL line up including day emulsion, lotion, and milk lotion.

REVITAL Day Emulsion protects your skin from damaging UV rays and leads to radiant skin, full of firmness and luxurious moisture. It also reduces the visibility of wrinkles caused by dry skin and gives a relaxing floral fragrance.

9. Hyaluronic Acid Undiluted Solution: For Hydrated Fresh and Firm Skin

Hyaluronic Acid Undiluted Solution (10ml 500 yen/80ml 3,800 yen (10ml x 2 bottles for free) excluding tax). Manufacturer: Taiyo-no-Aloe
Hyaluronic Acid Undiluted Solution (10ml 500 yen/80ml 3,800 yen (10ml x 2 bottles for free) excluding tax). Manufacturer: Taiyo-no-Aloe

Hyaluronic Acid Undiluted Solution was developed through trial and error by health and beauty brand Taiyo-no-Aloe, a manufacturer of safe and natural health drinks. The undiluted solution of hyaluronic acid allows skin to regain freshness and firmness.

It also reduces small wrinkles caused by dryness. If you add this to your everyday skincare routine, it is possible to obtain ideal hydrated skin.

10. Face Care Cream Series: Solving Men’s Skin Problems

UV Perfection Gel (1,080 yen excluding tax). Cream Perfection (998 yen excluding tax). Vital Cream Perfection (1,480 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Shiseido.
UV Perfection Gel (1,080 yen excluding tax). Cream Perfection (998 yen excluding tax). Vital Cream Perfection (1,480 yen excluding tax). Manufacturer: Shiseido.

The Face Care Cream series is an all-in-one cream that works for all seasons and solves skin problems for men. There are different types sold for different uses and age groups; UV Perfection Gel for skin breakouts and pimple prevention, Cream Perfection to prevent shininess and dryness, Vital Cream Perfection for anti-aging.

Cream Perfection is the most popular. It just needs to be used after washing your face and works as a lotion, milk lotion, serum, cream and mask. It is an excellent all-in-one skin care cream.

Have Fun Shopping at Takeya!

Products lined up at the entrance
Products lined up at the entrance

We have only shown you a small portion of what they have at Takeya. There is still so much more on sale here. If there is still something you haven’t seen that you want, why don’t you come and have a look at Takeya.

Note: This article was written in March 2020. The availability of goods may vary depending on the season.

  • Takeya
    • Address 4-33-2, Taitou, Taitou-ku, Tokyo, 110-0016
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Naka-Okachimachi Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
      1 minute on foot
    • Phone Number 03-3835-7777
*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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