JapanCulture•NYC’s Holiday Gift Guide

Reported and compiled by JapanCulture•NYC’s Fashion Editor Jen Green

JapanCulture•NYC’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is here with a round-up of all-Japanese holiday markets or pop-up shopping events this December. This curated list will help you find that special gift while supporting local businesses or vendors in a one-stop-shopping situation.

Bin Bin Sake Holiday Market

29 Norman Avenue, Brooklyn

Sunday, December 8 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The first market this season is Bin Bin Sake’s third annual holiday market this Sunday, December 8. Holiday gifts, Japanese crafts, and delicious treats by local artists and vendors will be available for sale. There’s four six for’s jewelry, home goods like Wuhao’s tenugui and Towka’s candles, and art prints from illustrator Megan Troung, plus much more. For the foodies on your shopping list, there are some tasty gifts such as MiMAKi’s premium umeboshi sour pickled plums and fresh onigiri from HIBINO day by day.

For a full list of vendors, please see Bin Bin’s Instagram post here. In addition, there will be bottle engraving and Bin Bin merchandise, perfect for that sake lover in your life. As you shop, be sure to participate in the free sake tasting!

Niji Holiday Market

Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (2nd floor)

Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 from Noon until 6:00 p.m.

Niji Japanese makers market is back at Japan Village for their holiday shopping event. Explore unique creations from more than 20 Japanese craft vendors for the ultimate gifts this season. Jewelry offerings range from Pucci Ropa’s handmade metal pieces to Rockin’ Wasabi’s origami jewelry and chocolateclayyy’s sculpted earrings. For home goods gifts, vendors such as HANATURAL will be selling handmade Japanese-inspired soaps along with pottery by some local potters like Namiko Kato and Hiroko Yokotagawa. Kawaii-style gifts will be available from HikariwoSagasu, Boy Oh Boy Co., and Tharaphy NY. For a full list of vendors, please see Niji’s Instagram post here.

A Night with the Makers: Holiday Edition

The Makers Guild – 51 35th Street, Brooklyn (2nd floor)

Saturday, December 7, Saturday, December 14, and Saturday, December 21 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The Makers Guild is hosting a holiday shopping series every Saturday until Christmas. It’s not just shopping; it’s an experience with live music, complimentary drinks, tastings, gift guides, and other activities. Of the participating shops, four of them are Japanese women-owned businesses that you need to be sure to check out:

Logo and right photo from n+a; bottom right photo by Jen Green

n+a jewelry was established in 2007 by Japanese sisters Noriko and Akiko Sugawara from Yokohama, Japan. Pulling inspiration from both the city and nature, while combining it their unique perspectives and Japanese sensibilities, the sisters create original and timeless designs.

Logo and left photo from Tadaima; right photo by Jen Green

Tadiama bakery has been a staple at The Makers Guild with a fan following and long lines for their delicious baked goods and intricate, beautifully garnished beverages. But it’s more than a bakery; it’s a quaint Japanese gift shop, too. With items like candles, stationery, and home décor that owner, Ayaka Ando, sources on her trips back home to Japan, you can pick up a gift for someone while you treat yourself to one of those coveted Tadiama pastries.

On December 14 Tadiama is hosting a fine coffee pop-up featuring 95RPM Coffee Roaster, serving hand-brewed coffee from this Brooklyn based micro-roaster.

IPPIN PROJECT is collective of Japanese artisans’ products that are handcrafted using traditional Japanese techniques to create high quality designs. The products they carry are not mass-produced in Japan; they are made from limited materials by skilled artisans. IPPIN PROJECT also produces custom-made furniture using traditional Japanese materials with a contemporary twist. From pottery to kitchenware and home decor to jewelry, IPPIN PROJECT offers many options for the ultimate gift.

KAJIHA’s owner Sonoko Kaneko uses natural resources to create botanical arrangements, objects, preserves, and natural-scent products in her Brooklyn studio, which is connected to IPPIN PROJECT.

Outside the hours of A Night with the Makers, KAJIHA also offers workshops where you can create your own unique gift. Spots are limited as the workshops are done in small groups for one-on-one attention with the instructor. Please check out the schedule here and consider giving a gift you’ve made yourself.

TEN TEN NYC Presents: Kawaii Holiday

Ideal Glass Studios – 9 West 8th Street, New York

Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15
Ticketed time slots: December 14 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; December 15 at 10:00 a.m.

TEN TEN NYC is hosting THE kawaii event of the holiday season in NYC, and it’s so much more than a holiday market. Join them for a two-day celebration of Japanese “kawaii” culture that includes music, art, performance, workshops, and a market of local vendors. Immersive installations by local artists offer the perfect backdrop while the kawaii fashion challenge is a great chance to show off your festive kawaii holiday looks.

Sebastian Masuda, Godfather of Kawaii, is hosting a workshop on Saturday, December 14 as well as bringing items from his iconic Harajuku shop 6%DOKIDOKI for their first NYC pop-up! Saturday’s workshop is your chance to make a custom 12-inch teddy bear with decora materials provided by Sebastian Masuda Studio Tokyo. Tickets to this limited-seat experience also include VIP perks such as a lecture by Masuda and a photoshoot opportunity.

Other artists and designers participating in the market are Breanna Watson with various accessories featuring her illustrations, Harrison Scott with his iconic bags, Shampooty with one-of-a-kind collectibles that evoke childhood nostalgia in a cheeky way, and many more!

Come out to this Kawaii Holiday Wonderland to get festively creative, have fun, and get some shopping done.

But Wait, There’s More . . .

In addition to these holiday markets, here are two more opportunities to secure a Japanese gift this season at these month-long shopping events:

YAMMA Holiday POP UP

CIBONE 50 Norman Avenue, Brooklyn

Now through Sunday, January 5, 2025

Every day from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. (Closed every third Tuesday)

Curated by YAMMA brand director Nana Yamasaki and hosted at CIBONE in Greenpoint, this holiday pop-up features brands Yammakko, HARAPPA, Yammaman. Known for genderless and timeless pieces made from traditional Japanese cotton Aizu Momen, YAMMA brand’s styles boast clean lines and colorful combinations. Aizu Momen is durable cotton made by using a traditional craft techniques that have been preserved in old Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture.

Niji Japanese Seasonal Shop

Tangram Flushing 133-33 39th Avenue, Flushing

Saturdays and Sundays in December from Noon until 6:00 p.m.

A second Niji market is set up all month long at Tangram in Flushing, Queens. Items range from fresh fruit from Japan to accessories, pottery, soaps, stickers, and more! HANATURAL will also sell their handmade Japanese-inspired soaps here. Bun’s Blooms brings her joyous art to stickers and keychains.

Heartfish Press is selling festive wreaths and hosting a workshop on Sunday, December 22. Here is another opportunity to create a thoughtful handmade gift that the recipient will cherish. For more details and to register in advance, please check out Niji’s website.

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