Loading...

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.

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.

15 Answers



  • 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

    on Dec 6

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

    0
  • 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
  • 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

    on Dec 7

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

    0
  • 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

    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.

    0
  • kcsantosh

    on Dec 9

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

    0
  • 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

    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.

    0
  • Kikaykhe

    on Dec 24

    Daiso or any 100 yen store.

    1
  • 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

    on Jan 8

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

    0
  • 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

    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.

    0

Awaiting More Answers

2 Answers

What's on your "generic" local manhole?

My local area has some specialty manholes (including some from the Gundam manhole project not too far away!) but the most common "generic" one features mountains and watermelon. Fairly representative of the region, I think! What's on yours?

genkidesu

on Jan 17

5 Answers

Do you have a favorite mascot?

The other day, on "Strawberry Day" I wrote about "Yoshimin", the strawberry mascot of Yoshimi. I thought it might be fun to introduce a few others, so I've just written about "Tokimo" the mascot of Kawagoe. And I plan to introduce a couple of my favorites. It begs the question, do you have a favorite mascot? And how about writing a post on City-cost about your favorite or a local mascot? Pictured "Umerin" who I plan to write about next!

BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

6 Answers

Who is your hero!?

Today, January 16th, is Hero Day. Who is your favorite hero, fictional or otherwise? The first one who comes to my mind for me is a real life person; Mary Robinson, a former president of Ireland (moreover, the first female president), and a former United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, among other impressive roles. I had the great pleasure of meeting her in December, a dream come true. I was trying to think about who my favorite fictional hero is. I have not come to conclusion yet! There is such a choice. Do you have one?

BigfamJapan

on Jan 16

3 Answers

International cuisine that's hard to come by?

In my region - Chiba-Saitama - there are many Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese restaurants serving authentic flavours. Which international cuisines do you see underrepresented in your area? Have you found any rare gems in the Kanto region? I miss Greek/eastern Mediterranean food the most...

TonetoEdo

on Jan 16