The POJ Studio 2024 Gift Guide

Japanese Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Our aim is to make holiday shopping meaningful. Each piece from POJ Studio is connected to hundreds of years of tradition; you will give a story as well as a present. 

To help you tackle your list, we’ve put together this Gift Guide to inspire you and share different ways you can incorporate culturally rich and sustainable gifting this season. 

Quick Gifting: Gifts under $50, Stocking Stuffers, and Gift Sets 

These gifts don’t require too much thinking, but all of them are guaranteed to be thoughtful. 

Our Gifts Under $50 ensure that you can get something for everyone on your list without breaking the bank. For example, our Leaf Incense series is a POJ Studio favorite. They are an aesthetically pleasing way to bring the feeling of Japan into any space through classic scents. Add on an Incense Accessory — some of which are made by a family workshop with its origins in 1625. The rich stories of craftspeople aren’t only reserved for pieces with a high price point. 

Good things come in small packages. Whether you’re traveling or you want to add a little something special to the stockings this year, our Stocking Stuffers might be small in size, but each one features incredible artisanship. Our Orin are some of the most detail-intensive pieces we carry, but their portable size makes them the perfect gift for those looking to incorporate mindfulness into their daily life.

Our 2024 Gift Sets are pre-packaged arrangements of POJ Studio favorites that are great introductions to Japanese craftsmanship. Give an Aromatic Explorer Set for a variety of incense types and scents. Give the DIY & Drink Set to enjoy the craft of wood joinery and then enjoy a warm beverage. With six Sets to choose from, it's easy to share a wide variety of 

Gifts for Gastronomers, Hobbyists, Japanophiles, and Beyond

For people with passions, we have curated gift collections that cater to special interests. 

If you’re shopping for someone who has fallen in love with Japanese culture and aesthetics (or maybe you have, and you want to share your love of Japan with them), take a browse through The Japanophile. The collection contains iconic pieces, traditional techniques, and classical materials. Our Noren showcase the beauty of indigo dyeing, and Warazaiku Amulets are made from woven rice straw and imbued with blessings and well-wishes from the craftspeople.  

If you want to win over the master chef (or anyone who loves pulling together a good meal), The Gastronomer has gift ideas for dining enthusiasts featuring beautiful Japanese tableware. Mix and match different styles of Japanese bowls, placemats, cups, and more to assemble a custom place setting according to their taste.

There are more collections to explore: The Hobbyist (for those who love to learn a new skill), The Aesthete (For those always on the hunt for their new favorite piece of decor), The Bath Lover (to bring a Japanese philosophy to self-care), and The Mindful One (for those who need a few moments of pause in their busy lives). No matter who you’re shopping for, you can find Pieces of Japan that will strike the right chord with their interests and tastes.

Gift Experiences for a Memorable Present 

Good memories are underrated gifts, in our opinion. If you’d like to add an experiential aspect to your gift-giving philosophy this year, there are a few ways we can help you do that. 

DIY Kits 

From gold joinery to wood joinery, calligraphy to aromatherapy, our DIY Waza Kits get you hands-on with the crafts and traditions of Japan. As gifts, these DIY Kits will allow your recipient to spend quality time working on these projects with a loved one or even to enjoy some hard-earned alone time. 

Kintsugi Workshops in LA and Kyoto 

If you (or your giftee) live in or have plans to travel to Kyoto, Japan or Los Angeles, USA you can step into the world of Japanese craftsmanship with POJ Studio as your guide. Our LA Kintsugi Workshops run through the end of January (but book soon, because we only have a few open dates left). Our Kyoto Workshops run year-round and immerse you in the local craft culture.  

Kintsugi Repairs

This suggestion is less of an experience, but it certainly will carry a lot of memories. If there’s a beloved piece or a family heirloom that has suffered some damage over the years, you can gift your loved one a Kintsugi Repair, handled by our in-house team of Specialists. The item will be reinforced with hon-kintsugi, and return to them all the more beautiful for its breaks. 

Unique Gift-Wrapping Ideas for a Special Touch

Now that you’ve picked out the perfect presents, it’s time to get them ready for gifting.

If you don’t want to fuss with wrapping, our Easy-to-Wrap Gifts come in beautiful paulownia wood packaging or are conveniently sized for easy wrapping. For example, Our Ōryōki Bowls come in kiri boxes and are wrapped in ukon nuno, a fabric dyed with turmeric that is naturally pest-repellant. 

You might be inspired this holiday season to try your hand at Furoshiki wrapping. Furoshiki has a history of 1200 years, and you can carry on the tradition of using Japanese cloth to present your gifts in a no-waste fashion. The reusable cloth is like a second gift in itself!  

For a sensorial element, use a Leaf Incense to add a decorative detail and pleasant scent to your gifts. You can tuck a leaf into the folds of your wrapping, or you can punch a hole, pass a ribbon through, and tie it onto your present. This makes for a lovely addition that your recipient can enjoy alongside the gift you got them. 

We hope that the holidays are a meaningful time for you and your loved ones. Whoever you’re shopping for, your care for them will show through your gifts, and they will love what you select on their behalf. 

Follow us @pojstudio on Instagram for ongoing inspiration this holiday season.