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Dec 6, 2016

Where to get good greetings cards in Japan

I send a parcel home for a birthday today and inside was a birthday card that was a bit rubbish. I was last minute in buying it but the choice at the place near my station was poor. So I wanted to ask if anyone on here knows reliable places to get nice greetings cards for birthdays, Christmas, and all the rest. I'm in Tokyo.

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DaveJpn

DaveJpn

Love travel, football, and a good read. Been in Japan for a little while now. Still loving it, still discovering new things, and still annoyed by how much packaging they wrap around snacks in this country.

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15 Answers

  • booyeahricecooker

    booyeahricecooker

    on Dec 6

    Loft and Tokyu Hands in Shibuya have decent ones. However, if you buy from those stores I mentioned, don't expect to pay lesser than 500 Yen for the ones with good quality. Bookstores like Kinukuniya might also have them, but I'm not sure. So for this question, my top suggestion would be Loft and Tokyu Hands. Will try to find a picture when I have time.

    2
  • DaveJpn

    DaveJpn

    on Dec 6

    @ricecooker Thanks for the suggestions. 500 yen is quite pricey, isn't it? You get what you pay for, I guess.

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  • SalarymanJim

    SalarymanJim

    on Dec 7

    You should try 'itoya'. There's a branch in Ginza. They had some pretty tasteful greetings cards in there the last time I went (which was some time ago now). Probably expensive. http://www.ito-ya.co.jp/

    1
  • YokoLostinJapan

    YokoLostinJapan

    on Dec 7

    When I look for birthday/christmas cards I mostly take a look to book stores. Got mine this year from Odakyu department store at Shinjuku station (10th floor). Or, as said I take a look around Tokyu Hands. Sometimes I also can find nice onces at 100 shop *laugh* Pic: the Japan-like cards are from bookstore, the others from Daiso.

    1
  • DaveJpn

    DaveJpn

    on Dec 7

    @YokoLostinJapan The Daiso ones don't look too bad. I'm quite surprised. Thanks for the ideas.

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  • helloalissa

    helloalissa

    on Dec 8

    I found some funny Engrish Christmas cards in Seria, a 100yen store. They say Melody Cards, but the one I tried didn't work. Might be fun for laughs for the right person. I've usually had good luck finding birthday cards with English messages in the stationary sections of basic (low end) department stores - where they sell notebooks and pens. The Sanrio area is not bad for the most part, in the 250-400 yen range, and sometimes they have cards that are discounted.

    1
  • DaveJpn

    DaveJpn

    on Dec 8

    @helloalissa Thank you for that. I've seen the odd Seria here and there, but not too many. Maybe I need to keep a closer look.

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  • kcsantosh

    kcsantosh

    on Dec 9

    http://www.cafepress.com/+japanese+gifts

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  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Dec 13

    I got an amazing set in Costco and it was very reasonably priced. The cards are Western size, larger than the usual cards in Japan. They are beautifully designed too. I got it 2 years ago and am still using it! It has a number of different types of cards, including children's and adults birthday cards, Christmas cards and blank cards.

    1
  • DaveJpn

    DaveJpn

    on Dec 15

    @Saitama Thank you. Gosh you're still using it after 2 years. There must have been a lot of card in there.

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  • Kikaykhe

    Kikaykhe

    on Dec 24

    Daiso or any 100 yen store.

    1
  • Lyssays

    Lyssays

    on Jan 4

    I tend to go to Loft or Plaza (or Miniplaza). Prices vary depending on how elaborate the card is - you can get something for around 200 yen that's pretty simple, 300-500 for something especially pretty or with pop-ups, and go up to 1000+ for something really elaborate. I'd also recommend bookstores like Maruzen and Kinokuniya - they tend to have good options as well, with similar prices in mind.

    1
  • DaveJpn

    DaveJpn

    on Jan 8

    @Kikaykhe and @Lyss - thanks. Yes, I've used Loft from time to time, hadn't thought about Plaza though!

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  • Ashes

    Ashes

    on Feb 21

    I buy cards from DAISO to send home to family and friends in Australia. They love the birthday cards that play music and Christmas cards with pop up features etc.

    1
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Nov 27

    Some others already mentioned, but LOFT is probably my favorite for cute cards and stationery. More expensive than 100 yen stores, but they have some really cool cards like pop-up ones, musical ones, and things like that.

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