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 Stuck for gift ideas to fill your stocking? We offer a small selection to delight fans of the Land of the Rising Sun!

The practical gift: the rice cooker

This appliance will delight the whole family! Besides the peace of mind it offers (no need to stand by the machine while it cooks), you can prepare delicious Japanese-style rice at home. Some models even have a function for making sushi rice!

Did you know that? The first rice cookers were invented in Japan. In 1937, the Japanese army had mobile kitchens and cooked rice in wooden containers equipped with electric electrodes. At the end of the war, in 1945, Mitsubishi Electric Company launched the first electric rice cooker. Ten years later, in 1956, Toshiba created the first modern rice cooker with an automatic shut-off. By 1960, half of all Japanese households owned a rice cooker!

Consume in moderation: a bottle of Japanese whisky 

For several years now, Japanese whisky has been a benchmark. No need to be a connoisseur! Choose a bottle from brands like Hibiki, Nikka, or Ichiro, and you can't go wrong!

Did you know that? For a long time, and due to its history, Japanese whiskies were limited to copying Scotch whiskies, even going so far as to establish distilleries in geographical areas resembling Scotland (terrain and climate). Although this resemblance has diminished over the years, particularly thanks to innovations by Japanese distillers, it persists through the production of... blends and vatted malt. Indeed, the Japanese use single malt Scottish for the production of some of their blended whiskies via their Scottish distilleries. single malt Japanese whiskies, meanwhile, are increasingly popular. Some of these whiskies even receive better scores than their Scottish cousins in blind tastings!

The traditional gift: a secret box himitsu-bako 

A gift that's both original and refined! These are beautiful, handcrafted marquetry boxes. Their unique feature? Much like a puzzle, you need to know the right combination to open them.

Did you know that? To produce marquetry yosegi , The different types of wood that will give the finished design its colors must be selected. Marquetry Hakone-yosegi-zaiku, This style, typical of the Hakone region, was created at the end of the Edo period. The villages of Hakone and Hatajuku, located about 100 kilometers east of Tokyo, are particularly renowned for their himitsu-bako and its marquetry.

The geek gift: the Ghibli box set

For all fans of Japanese animation, and especially Studio Ghibli, this box set contains three books that will transport you to this dreamlike world. The promise: "Discover all the mysteries of Studio Ghibli in one box set.". 

Did you know that? The name "Ghibli" comes from the Italian word Ghibli, derived from the Libyan Arabic name for the sirocco, the hot desert wind. It also refers to the name of an Italian reconnaissance aircraft used during World War II, the Caproni Ca.309 Ghibli It was Hayao Miyazaki, a great aviation enthusiast, who chose this name. For him, Studio Ghibli had a duty to play a pioneering role in the Japanese animation industry, and to bring a breath of fresh air to it. 

Useful: Japanese conversation sessions

Are you, your children, or your friends learning Japanese and eager to practice speaking? We have the solution! We offer online conversation rooms in small groups (maximum 4 people). No registration fees, no long-term commitment. A convenient and affordable way to practice Japanese in a relaxed atmosphere!