Best gifts for stepdaughter who loves Japanese/Korean culture

[madamehooch]

Just that really for DSD 24. I've already got her a cookery book. Was thinking of a subscription box but open to any other ideas, apart from another book as she's not really a reader.

I have been trying to decide on which of these to buy my friend who is a "foodie" www.kawaiies.com/products/nara-japanese-street-stalls

She likes crafts but not sure if she'd use this. I like the first one for your friend though.

skincare/makeup?
kimono?
art or art coffee table book?
Something from the V&A shop?

I'll have a look at the V&A site thank you.

Was it this sort of box you were thinking of? I was really tempted myself... but trying to lose weight :-(
tokyotreat.com

Does she like watching Japanese & Korean dramas? If she doesn’t have one already, a Viki subscription is really reasonable - about £3 per month or around £50 for the year. www.viki.com/

is she into anime?
perhaps she has a favourite character so maybe something relating to that?

My DD (13yrs) is a big fan of Japan/Korea, particularly KPOP. I have bought her a ‘Learn Japanese’ book, and a box of Korean foods/drinks. I know you said she isn’t into reading, but a language course could be in online/one to one etc.

Incidentally, for any kdrama fans hitting this thread with suggestions, there’s a long running thread in TellyAddicts. We have several ARMY, swap music recommendations and talk a fair bit about Korean recipes/cooking. We also cover Japanese, Taiwanese & Chinese dramas too, though with less fervour. 😂

My DD is also obsessed with Korea.

I bought her a SoeulBox from Amazon for her birthday and she loved it. It was expensive at £40 but contained a couple of cosmetics and K-pop goodies. It also came in a lovely box so looks nice as a gift.

If she is into K-pop you can look for some merchandise.

DD loved the set of Korean face masks I bought her once.

She has had a couple of Japan boxes, they were good but I thought the Korean box was much better.

I would also add bubble tea items. You can buy kits which are really expensive or you can buy flavoured boba and add to your own fruit teas.

If you buy boba I would also recommend buying an extra wide metal straw so you can suck the bubbles up, there is no way they will fit through a normal straw.

These are all really helpful suggestions thank you. She does like watching kdrama so will look further into that.

Korean skin care is very highly rated

We bought dd a box of Japanese sweets which went down well

dagashiyabox.com/

What aspects of the culture does she like? K-pop music, the food, fashion, lifestyle, Anime etc? That is a massive range to choose from!

I enjoy things from MUJI- minimalist, practical and good value:
www.muji.co.uk/

I did a yo sushi class pre-covid and loved it. I cook sushi now and its delicious- people think its shop bought! Depending what you want to spend what about a cooking class? Or, buy the kit needed to make sushi and put into a hamper- rolling mat, sushi rice, sushi vinegar or the pre-made mix, wasabi paste or powder, sushi ginger etc. Most bits you can buy from a larger supermarket, or Sth East Asian grocery store or online.

Another thought- bibimbab bowl/s/kit:
www.souschef.co.uk/products/dolsot-bibimbap-kit?variant=16896707919930&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAjwq9mLBhB2EiwAuYdMtSvHT455pwWkxBUk3cxdaqp_mYyfm-IcIg2yd5NnxY4xs77AQgwAiBoCTCwQAvD_BwE

Pay for a few lessons of whichever language she prefers?

Go to thejapaneseshop.co.uk - they have a whole range of Japanese gifts, at various prices, including stocking filler Japanese sweets up to expensive kimonos.

This isn't until next year but she might be interested?
www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/hallyu-the-korean-wave

How about karate lessons? It’s not just about learning self defensive , you learn counting, Japanese language, respect etc

Bento box
Sushi kit
Kimono
Kawaii
Kenji voucher

Blippo is really great for stationery and kawaii items blippo.com

@boatyardblues

Does that include "vinxenzo"??

There's Japanese things on at BFI, Tate Modern and Kew Gardens, Hokusai at the British Myseum. Lots of merch I expect

A savings account that you will match what she puts in for a trip there - well you did ask for the best gift(!)

One of those rectangular pans for cooking eggs. Yes I know it's a saucepan but it would get a lot of use here!

I'm off to look at the links suggested above.