Japan Traditional Toy Guide: Wooden Toys, Kendama & Folk Playthings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kendama and where can I buy one in Japan?
Kendama is a wooden cup-and-ball toy consisting of a handle with two cups and a pointed tip, connected by string to a ball. Players perform tricks by catching the ball in the cups or on the point. Standard red kendama are available at toy shops nationwide. Specialty shops in Harajuku and Akihabara (Tokyo) carry premium competition and artisan models. Traditional toy shops in Asakusa (like Hatoya Toy Store) stock quality kendama alongside other traditional toys.
What are kokeshi dolls and where do they come from?
Kokeshi are simple turned-wooden dolls with a cylindrical body and round head, painted with faces and traditional patterns. They originated in Tohoku (northeastern Japan) during the Edo period as onsen souvenir items. Eleven distinct regional types exist — each associated with specific mountain onsen districts and transmitted through master-apprentice lineages. The best place to see and buy authentic kokeshi is in Tohoku, particularly Narugo (Miyagi) or the Zaou Onsen area. Tokyo craft shops and department stores also carry them.
What traditional Japanese toys are associated with New Year?
Several toys and games are associated with the Japanese New Year (oshogatsu): koma (spinning tops — a new top on January 1 is auspicious), kendama, karuta card games (particularly Hyakunin Isshu poetry karuta), hagoita battledores (decorative paddles sold at December markets), hanetsuki (shuttlecock badminton played with hagoita), and fukuwarai (blindfolded face-arranging game). Toy shops in late December to early January have seasonal traditional toy displays.
Are traditional Japanese toys suitable as souvenirs?
Yes — traditional toys make excellent Japanese souvenirs. Kendama packs flat and is durable. Kokeshi are distinctive and regionally specific. Small spinning tops (koma) travel well. Karuta card sets represent Japanese literary culture. Quality ranges from mass-produced tourist versions to handmade artisan pieces — the price difference is significant, and the maker's reputation matters for kokeshi in particular. Asakusa's traditional toy shops and department store toy sections offer the most variety and quality.
Where can I see traditional toy making in Japan?
Several locations offer views of or participation in traditional toy production. Narugo (Miyagi) has kokeshi workshop visits; the Kokeshi Museum shows turning and painting processes. Asakusa toy shops sometimes demonstrate kendama or spinning top techniques. Various craft centers offer making workshops for temari (embroidered balls) and other craft toys — these are typically 2–3 hour workshops requiring advance booking. Regional craft events (Kyoto craft fairs, Tohoku craft festivals) bring together traditional toy makers from multiple regions.