What do you regret buying from Japan?
byu/ExcitingCauliflower inJapanTravelTips
Shopping in Japan can be one of the highlights of your trip—but not everything you pick up will make you happy back home. We analyzed hundreds of Reddit comments to find the items travelers most regretted buying—and offer smarter alternatives you’ll actually use and love.
Souvenirs & Trinkets (67 mentions) – Regret Factor: High
Why travelers regret it:
Cheap keychains, plastic fans, or gachapon toys seemed cute in the moment, but often ended up forgotten in drawers or cluttering shelves.
Representative comments:
“Pretty much any gachapon I got. They’re cute but just sit in a drawer.”
“A big wall scroll I have nowhere to hang.”
“A suitcase full of keychains and pins I don’t even look at now.”
Better buy suggestion:
Skip the cheap stuff and pick up handmade chopsticks, tenugui (traditional towels), or regional pottery from local artisans. These items are unique, practical, and make meaningful gifts or keepsakes.
FloTotally—souvenir shops are dangerous. Aim for stuff you’ll actually use or display proudly.
Clothes & Sizing Issues (59 mentions) – Regret Factor: High
Why travelers regret it:
Clothes that didn’t fit or shrank after washing left many travelers with unworn items. Japanese sizes run small, and impulse buys often don’t match travelers’ everyday style.
Representative comments:
“I bought a medium T-shirt that turned into an XS after washing.”
“Spent $80 on a dress I’ve never worn.”
“Uniqlo shirts were way too small, even though I wear medium at home.”
Better buy suggestion:
Instead of clothing, go for accessories like scarves, hats, or socks with traditional Japanese patterns. These are stylish, one-size-fits-most, easy to carry, and practical long after your trip.
FloTrust me—Japanese “L” is more like a Western “S.” Accessories are a safer bet.
Flo’s Comment:
Trust me—Japanese “L” is more like a Western “S.” Accessories are a safer bet.
Expensive Fruit & Snacks (42 mentions) – Regret Factor: Medium
Why travelers regret it:
Premium fruit or novelty KitKats looked amazing but were overpriced, tasted average, or didn’t survive the trip home.
Representative comments:
“I accidentally bought 4,300 yen grapes that tasted like normal ones.”
“Tokyo Banana. Straight into the trash.”
“Flavored KitKats were awful.”
Better buy suggestion:
Choose premium teas or regional seasonings like yuzu kosho or shichimi. These add Japanese flavor to your cooking, pack well, and last longer than fragile sweets.
FloKonbini snacks > overpriced tourist sweets. Get something you’ll actually enjoy later!
Flo’s Comment:
Konbini snacks > overpriced tourist sweets. Get something you’ll actually enjoy later!
Themed Cafes & Park Tickets (38 mentions) – Regret Factor: Medium
Why travelers regret it:
Expensive tickets to Disney, USJ, or themed cafés often didn’t match expectations due to crowds, long waits, and mediocre food.
Representative comments:
“Pokémon Café food was cafeteria-quality and overpriced.”
“Tickets to Disney and USJ were expensive and I’d rather have explored Tokyo.”
“Themed cafés were cute but the food was bad.”
Better buy suggestion:
Spend your time and money on immersive cultural experiences like cooking classes, tea ceremonies, or kimono rentals with professional photos. These create memories that last longer than an overpriced themed burger.
FloHonestly, cooking classes beat waiting two hours for a Pikachu pancake.
Flo’s Comment:
Honestly, cooking classes beat waiting two hours for a Pikachu pancake.
Impulse Big Purchases (27 mentions) – Regret Factor: High
Why travelers regret it:
Swords, kimonos, or bulky items bought on a whim were hard to transport or just gathered dust at home.
Representative comments:
“Bought too many kimonos; they just hang in my closet.”
“A $300 suitcase I didn’t need.”
“Multiple knives and sharpening stones—way more than I use.”
Better buy suggestion:
If you want something special, go for compact, practical items with Japanese craftsmanship like a quality folding fan, a small sake set, or a single, versatile kitchen knife you’ll actually use.
FloShipping bulky souvenirs back home is a nightmare. Keep it small, keep it smart.
Flo’s Comment:
Shipping bulky souvenirs back home is a nightmare. Keep it small, keep it smart.
Beauty & Skincare Products (22 mentions) – Regret Factor: Medium
Why travelers regret it:
Skincare items bought on hype didn’t work with travelers’ skin types or expired unused.
Representative comments:
“Bought a cushion foundation that looks terrible on my skin.”
“So many face masks I forgot about—they went bad.”
“$1,000 worth of skincare, only half of it worked for me.”
Better buy suggestion:
Stick to cult classics like Hada Labo lotion or DHC cleansing oil—longtime bestsellers with broad appeal, widely loved by locals and travelers alike.
FloDon’t buy the entire beauty aisle. A few proven products go a long way.
Flo’s Comment:
Don’t buy the entire beauty aisle. A few proven products go a long way.
High-Cost Food Disappointments (19 mentions) – Regret Factor: Medium
Why travelers regret it:
Overpriced street snacks like uni sticks or fancy ice creams disappointed in taste or practicality, and were gone in moments.
Representative comments:
“Spent 8,000 yen on street snacks gone in two minutes.”
“Cremia ice cream melted instantly, ruined my kid’s clothes.”
“Wagyu sushi wasn’t worth the hype.”
Better buy suggestion:
Instead of overpriced snacks, treat yourself to a sit-down meal at a reputable ramen or sushi restaurant. A proper dining experience will give you lasting memories (and better value) compared to impulse street food.
FloPaying top yen for a two-bite snack hurts more than skipping it entirely. Sit down, eat well.
Flo’s Comment:
Paying top yen for a two-bite snack hurts more than skipping it entirely. Sit down, eat well.
Top Upvoted Comments
These highly upvoted Reddit comments perfectly capture travelers’ biggest buying regrets.
4,300 yen grapes tasted normal (652 upvotes)
“I accidentally bought 4,300 yen grapes that tasted like normal ones.”
Flo’s Comment:
That’s the most expensive grape salad ever. Fruit here is pretty, but not always magic.
FloGachapon just sit in a drawer (598 upvotes)
“Pretty much any gachapon I got. They’re cute but just sit in a drawer.”
FloGachapon is like gambling with cuteness—you win excitement, but lose luggage space.
Pokémon Café food was bad (571 upvotes)
“Pokémon Café food was cafeteria-quality and overpriced.”
Flo’s Comment:
You don’t eat there for the taste—you eat there for the Pikachu plates.
FloYou don’t eat there for the taste—you eat there for the Pikachu plates.
Funny Regret Comments
Hilarious takes travelers shared about what they wished they hadn’t bought.
Tokyo Banana straight into the trash
“Tokyo Banana. Straight into the trash.”
FloHarsh but fair—some iconic snacks are better as photos than food.
Japanese shirts turned into crop tops
“I thought Japanese shirts were cool until I realized they turned into crop tops after one wash.”
FloFashion fail: Japan edition. Always read the laundry tag.
Bought three swords, no place to display
“I bought three swords. I don’t even have a display for one.”
Flo’s Comment:
Collecting swords is a slippery slope. Start with one… maybe none.
Final Thoughts
Japan is a shopper’s paradise, but it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and buy things you’ll regret once you’re home. By learning from other travelers’ mistakes—and considering smarter alternatives—you can bring back souvenirs, gifts, and memories you’ll actually cherish. Choose items with lasting value, skip impulse buys, and remember: the best memento of Japan is often the experience itself, not what you squeeze into your suitcase.
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