Souvenirs for foreigners, Japanese goods made in Japan
60% profit margin with wholesale from 4 manufacturers
"Which Japanese goods are really profitable souvenirs for foreigners?"
For purchasing buyers who have such questions.
In fact, what foreigners want to buy most is
"Genuine Japanese goods handmade by Japanese artisans."
The Hina Doll and May Doll industry has been going for 300 years.
There is a hidden route that allows you to purchase products at 40% off the manufacturer's price .
- Why do 500 yen crepe paper fans sell better to foreigners than 30,000 yen Hina dolls?
・We purchase directly from traditional craft manufacturers at 40% off the price,
Do you know how to secure a 60% profit margin?
・You will never find it at Super Delivery,
What's the secret to procuring artisan-made Japanese goods at low prices?
Fans, crepe paper crafts, lacquerware accessories, military goods, etc.
The materials used are made using traditional techniques from the Hina doll industry.
All our products are handmade by domestic artisans , which adds value to them.
You can never get it at a general Japanese goods wholesaler.
Utilizing the industry's backdoor route of "direct procurement from the manufacturer's workshop,"
We will teach you authentic methods for procuring products that will impress foreigners.
By the time you finish reading this guide,
"Ah, I see! So that's why it sells!" I thought with understanding.
You will gain access to a purchasing strategy with a 60% profit margin that your competitors don't know about.
Japanese-made goods that sell well as souvenirs for foreigners
Stockists for inbound buyers
How to select products to ensure profits
How to distinguish traditional crafts made by artisans
Foreigner Satisfaction Improvement Act
"Why do 500 yen folding fans sell so much better to foreigners than 30,000 yen Hina dolls?"
The key to solving this mystery is
It has an excellent balance of "ease of taking home", "authenticity" and "price range" .
In fact, what foreign tourists care about most is
It has a narrative quality that is "Made in Japan by Japanese craftsmen."
These accessories are made using artisan techniques cultivated over 300 years in the Hina doll industry.
The frame of a folding fan, the stitching of crepe crafts, the maki-e technique of lacquerware...
All of these are applications of the "artisanal skills cultivated through the production of Hina dolls."
Compared to similar products made in China, the difference in texture is obvious the moment you touch it.
The fan surface is beautiful when opened, and the handle is designed to fit comfortably in your hand.
The difference in quality that makes foreigners intuitively realize "this is the real thing" leads to repeat purchases.
Best-selling products have three things in common.
①Compact size that fits in a suitcase
②Affordable prices ranging from 500 yen to 3000 yen
3) The design is symbolic of Japanese culture.
Of particular note are products that are "signed by the craftsman" or "marked with the workshop name."
These products sell out immediately even at 1.5 times the regular price, making them a decisive factor in differentiating products .
[Q&A Part 1] Top 10 Japanese Goods Purchased by Foreign Tourists
Can you sell a fan for 500 yen? A crepe paper craft for 3000 yen?
Wholesale buyer
Best-selling products by price range and profit margins
Q: What Japanese goods sell best among foreigners?
A: Surprisingly, the number one item is the "folding crepe fan" (500-800 yen) .
The reason is clear: it has four qualities: lightweight, compact, practical, and Japanese.
Here are the top 5 best-selling items.
1st place: Handmade folding fan (purchase price 200 yen → sale price 500 yen)
Profit margin 60%, turnover rate 200 bottles per month
2nd place: Chirimen craft trinket box (purchase price 800 yen → sale price 2000 yen)
Profit margin 60%, turnover rate 80 units per month
3rd place: Lacquerware chopsticks and chopstick rest set (purchase price 400 yen → sale price 1200 yen)
Profit margin 66%, monthly turnover rate 150 sets
4th place: Hand towels and furoshiki (purchase price 300 yen → sale price 800 yen)
Profit margin 62%, turnover rate 100 per month
5th place: Samurai goods (helmet ornaments) (purchase price 1,200 yen → sale price 3,500 yen)
Profit margin 65%, turnover rate 30 units per month
What's interesting is the industry common sense that the higher the price, the higher the profit margin .
If a product costs 3,000 yen, we can purchase it for 1,800 yen and sell it for 5,000 yen, and foreigners will be happy to buy it.
This is because if you were to find an equivalent product in the country of origin, it would cost more than double the price .
The mentality that "it's a good deal if I buy it in Japan" is driving the desire to purchase high-priced products.
40% of the cost price is purchased from the manufacturer's workshop
Hidden Routes in the Hina Doll Industry
Tips for procuring Japanese goods at low prices
The secret of purchasing directly from artisans that you can never get from general wholesalers
"Why are Hina doll manufacturers the best suppliers of Japanese goods?"
Let us tell you the "hidden truth" of this industry.
In fact, there are more than 30 specialized processes involved in the production of Hina dolls and May dolls.
Folding fan craftsmen, crepe craftsmen, lacquer craftsmen, gold leaf craftsmen...
These craftsmen use their spare time from making Hina dolls to make these accessories .
The crucial difference between us and other general Japanese goods manufacturers is our "level of technology."
The painting of fans by artisans who paint the faces of Hina dolls,
Chirimen crafts are made by artisans who sew kimonos.
The technology cultivated through the production of the highest quality products is also utilized in accessories .
The biggest advantage of purchasing directly from the manufacturer's workshop is the "40% off price."
Products that would be 60-70% off if sold through a general wholesaler,
If you purchase directly from the workshop, you can get it at 40% of the cost price.
However, purchasing directly from the workshop requires a minimum lot size and a relationship of trust .
Many workshops require a minimum purchase of 100 units.
However, if this condition is met
Achieved a profit margin of 60% that competitors could never imitate .
This will become a "golden purchasing route" that will enable a store with monthly sales of 5 million yen to secure a gross profit of 3 million yen.
Seasonal Calendar of Japanese Goods Demand by Foreigners: It's a Lie That They Sell All Year Round
Fans only in summer? Chirimen all year round? Best selling season
For discerning wholesalers
Seasonal strategies and purchasing timing to maximize inventory turnover
The idea that "fans only sell in the summer" is a complete misconception .
A look at the actual sales data reveals some surprising facts.
Annual sales trends of folding fans (store data)
Spring (March-May): 35% Summer (June-August): 30% Autumn (September-November): 25% Winter (December-February): 10%
Why is spring the best selling season?
The answer lies in the "peak of souvenir demand."
The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan peaks in April and May, and many people purchase items during this time to use in the summer .
Even more surprising is the seasonal variation in crepe crafts .
People tend to think that sales are good all year round, but in reality, there are big fluctuations.
Annual sales trends of Chirimen crafts
Spring: 40% (cherry blossom pattern is popular) Summer: 20% Autumn: 30% (autumn leaves pattern) Winter: 10%
The most important discovery was the effect of "purchasing ahead of the season."
If you purchase summer products in April and autumn products in July,
You can get it 20-30% cheaper than usual .
The workshop also places importance on "securing work during the off-season,"
They offer special prices for out-of-season orders.
Items that sell steadily throughout the year are "military commander goods" and "lacquerware accessories."
These are not seasonal and are ideal for keeping in stock at all times .
Smart suppliers lower their costs by purchasing goods three months before the peak season .
We achieve stable profits by ensuring availability of best-selling products year-round.
Made in Japan Japanese goods quality standards with zero return rate
How to distinguish traditional crafts made by artisans How to improve the satisfaction of foreign visitors
The secret to completely avoiding quality issues by purchasing directly from the factory
"The product I purchased was defective and I had to return it..."
Many suppliers have had similar painful experiences.
However, the products purchased from the Hina Dolls industry workshops are
We boast amazing quality with a return rate of less than 0.1% .
Why is it so high quality?
The reason lies in the "perfectionism cultivated through making Hina dolls."
Hina dolls are luxury items that cost tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen each.
Our craftsmen have been trained in a world where even the slightest flaw or distortion is unacceptable.
We produce Japanese goods using the same standards .
Specific points of quality check
①In the case of a folding fan
・The bones are uniformly curved (evidence of handwork that cannot be achieved by machine)
- No air bubbles when gluing the fan surface
- A pleasant "click" sound when opening and closing
② In the case of crepe crafts
-Stitch spacing is uniform and less than 1mm
- Beautifully finished corners with no fraying
・The "original texture of Chirimen" can be felt by touch
③In the case of lacquerware
・The surface has a uniform gloss like a mirror
- Perfect adhesion to the wood (no need to worry about peeling)
- The deep color characteristic of lacquer
The biggest advantage of purchasing directly from the workshop is quality assurance .
In the unlikely event of a malfunction, a craftsman will respond directly,
You can maintain both customer satisfaction and trust .
Foreign tourists expect "genuine Japanese quality."
Selecting products that do not disappoint is the deciding factor in "gaining repeat customers."
[Q&A Mid-range] Price range: 500 yen to 5,000 yen Bestsellers
Wholesale price with 60% profit margin guaranteed. Price that is favorable for foreign visitors to Japan.
The psychology behind pricing that makes foreigners feel it's "cheap"
Q: What price range should be set to appeal to foreign tourists?
A: It's a surprising fact, but foreigners tend to assume that the more expensive something is, the more authentic it is .
A 1,500 yen fan sells better than a 500 yen fan.
This is because we know the market prices for Japanese goods in the home country.
Japanese-style fans can be purchased in the United States for 3,000 to 5,000 yen.
The psychology at work is that "1,500 yen in Japan is a great bargain."
Examples of psychological price ranges (in order of sales ranking)
① 1200-1800 yen zone (40% of monthly sales)
The perfect price for a "nice little souvenir"
Profit margin of 65%, significant effect on increasing average customer spending
② 2500-3500 yen zone (30% of monthly sales)
"Gifts for special people" price range
Profit margin of 70% and high repeat rate
③500-800 yen zone (20% of monthly sales)
Demand for "multiple purchases and souvenirs"
Profit margin 55% and highest turnover rate
What's interesting is not the "999 yen effect" but the "sense of security that comes with 1,200 yen."
Foreigners feel that fractional prices are "cheap,"
Prices that are round numbers are considered to be "trustworthy."
Formula for securing a 60% profit margin
Factory purchase price x 2.5 = sales price
(Example: Purchase for 800 yen → Sell for 2000 yen = Profit margin 60%)
With this price setting, foreigners will feel that it is "cheap for the quality,"
Suppliers can "secure a sufficient profit ."
It's truly a "win-win" pricing strategy .
Sales triple with Japanese goods packaging that looks great on foreigners' social media
Packaging design aimed at spreading on Instagram
Takeaway optimization techniques
Packaging strategy that creates a dramatic "moment of opening"
"Why is that store selling three times as much of the same product?"
The secret lies in the drama of the unboxing experience .
70% of foreign tourists "post their souvenirs on social media."
They are not looking for the product itself,
It's proof that you had a special experience in Japan .
Three key elements of packaging that look great on social media
①Combination of washi paper and mizuhiki
Cost: 30 yen extra per piece
Effect: Posting rate increased by 85%, repeat rate increased by 40%
Utilizing authentic Japanese paper used in the Hina doll industry
② "Made by Japanese craftsman" English sticker
Cost: 10 yen per piece
Effect: 30% increase in purchasing motivation, 20% increase in unit price
If you include a photo of the craftsman, the effect will be even greater.
3. "Surprise" when opening
The product is double wrapped in Japanese paper,
The message inside reads, "Thank you for choosing authentic Japanese craft."
Cost: 20 yen Effect: 300% increase in review posting rate
Here are some actual success stories.
A Kyoto fan specialty store, Store A , saw a 240% increase in monthly sales after improving its packaging.
The reason given was the "free advertising effect of posting on Instagram."
Particularly effective is packaging that emphasizes how the product looks when taken home .
On the train or at the airport, people ask me, "Where did you get that beautiful packaging?"
As it becomes a hot topic, it will naturally attract new customers .
Packaging costs are an additional investment of 30-50 yen per piece,
With a 20% increase in average customer spending and an increase in repeat customers,
The ROI is an astonishing 2.3 months on average .
Optimizing Japanese goods procurement by location is effective
Airport vs. Tourist Spot vs. City
Foreign tourists purchasing for wholesalers
Product selection techniques to maximize sales by analyzing customer demographics by location
"Even though it's the same Japanese goods, sales are 10 times higher depending on the location..."
This is no coincidence.
This is because there are clear differences in the foreign customer base at each location .
① Features of airports and train stations
Customers: "Last-minute purchases" just before returning home
Budget: Instant decision even if it's over 5,000 yen
Desired product: Lightweight, luxurious, and trendy
Items for sale at the airport include "Folding Fans Signed by Craftsmen" (2,500 yen)
"Gold leaf lacquerware accessories" (4,500 yen) .
People tend to buy it as a "last souvenir" without worrying about the weight.
②Characteristics of tourist destinations (Asakusa, Kyoto, etc.)
Customers: "Souvenir hunting" at the beginning of their stay
Budget: Mid-range, 1,000-3,000 yen
Desired products: Practical, photogenic, cultural experience
"Experience-based products" are overwhelmingly popular in tourist destinations.
A fan painting experience set (1,800 yen),
Origami crepe crafts (1,200 yen), etc.
We place importance on the feeling of "bringing Japanese culture home with you."
③Characteristics of urban areas and shopping districts
Customer demographic: "Comparative purchase" during mid-stay
Budget: 500-1500 yen, practical
Desired product: cost-effective, practical, multiple purchases
In urban areas, the main demand is for souvenirs to give out to everyone .
Hand towels (800 yen), chopstick sets (600 yen), etc.
People buy multiple copies as souvenirs for colleagues and friends .
As a successful example of location-specific optimization,
There is a price differential strategy for the same product .
Airport: 2,500 yen, Tourist area: 1,800 yen, City area: 1,200 yen
By reflecting the "location value" in the price in this way,
We are able to maintain a profit margin of over 60% at all locations.
Multilingual POP creation doubles purchase rate
Effective cultural explanation and promotional tool available in English, Chinese, and Korean
Cultural story appeal method that convinces people "why it's so expensive"
"Why does this fan cost 3,000 yen?"
Multilingual POP is the magical tool that can turn foreigners' doubts into "convincing."
A simple product description is not enough.
What's important is to convey the "story of the artisans" and "cultural value."
Proven Effective POP Configuration
①Craftsman introduction part (purchase rate increased by 40%)
“This fan is made by Mr. Tanaka,
3rd generation craftsman with 40 years experience.
Same technique used for making Empress dolls.”
②Explanation of the production process (reliability increased by 60%)
“Takes 3 days to complete one fan.
Hand-painted with natural pigments.
47 bamboo ribs carefully selected and shaped.
3) Explanation of cultural meaning (50% increase in purchasing intent)
"In Japanese culture,
fans bring good fortune and protection.
Perfect gift for someone special.”
Effective approaches vary depending on the language.
English-speaking countries : Detailed explanations of craftsmanship are effective
Chinese-speaking countries : Emphasis on good luck and quality assurance
Korean-speaking countries : Appealing to a balance of beauty and practicality
In actual success cases,
Sales increased by 234% after introducing multilingual POP .
In particular, sales of high-priced items priced at 3,000 yen or more have improved dramatically.
The production cost of a POP is about 500 yen.
However, if the product has monthly sales of 500,000 yen,
POP investment achieved an astonishing result of increasing sales by 1.17 million yen .
The important thing is to "make people proud of their noble reasons."
The moment foreigners become convinced that "it's expensive but worth it,"
This translates to a repeat customer conversion rate of over 80% .
[Q&A Part 2] 2025 Souvenir Trends for Foreigners
Next-generation inbound demand
New Product Development for Wholesalers
Combining AI and traditional crafts creates new market opportunities
Q: How will the souvenir market for foreigners change after 2025?
A: There are incredible changes happening.
"Products that combine AI technology and traditional crafts" are creating a new boom.
One specific example that is attracting attention is a fan with a QR code .
Print a QR code on the fan and scan it with your smartphone.
A system that allows you to watch "craftsman's production videos" and "how-to-use lessons."
Traditional fan (800 yen) → Fan with QR code (1500 yen)
Even with an 87% increase in added value , sales are three times higher than the conventional product .
Top 3 New Trends for 2025
① Explosive demand for "experience-based Japanese goods"
Chirimen craft kit (2,800 yen)
Lacquerware gold repair experience set (4,500 yen)
The fun of "buying in Japan and experiencing in the country" is popular
② The rise of "customized Japanese goods"
Personalized folding fan (made in the workshop in 30 minutes: 2,200 yen)
Chirimen accessories with photo (completed in 1 hour: 3,800 yen)
The feeling of being "one of a kind" stimulates purchasing desire
3) Rapid growth of "sustainable Japanese goods"
Interest in bamboo products and recycled washi paper is on the rise
Particularly popular in Europe and the US where environmental awareness is high
It sells even if it is 30-50% more expensive than conventional products
The most important discovery was "The digital native generation's view of Japanese goods."
They buy experiences and stories, not things.
Workshops in the Hina doll industry have already begun to adapt to this change.
We develop products that combine traditional techniques with the latest technology .
We are aiming to take the lead in the market by 2025.
It is possible to avoid losses by managing the risk of purchasing Japanese goods
Countermeasures against exchange rate fluctuations and improving inventory turnover
Systems for wholesalers and distributors
The stability of direct procurement from the workshop and a complete avoidance of unexpected risks
"Even though our profit margin is 60%, we still end up in the red due to exchange rates and inventory risks..."
Such worries can be completely eliminated by purchasing directly from the workshop .
This is because the Hina doll industry is "100% domestic."
Because everything from raw materials to manufacturing is done in Japan,
It is not affected by exchange rate fluctuations .
Three Pillars of Risk Management
①Exchange risk = zero
Transactions with domestic workshops are in yen only
No fluctuations in purchase price due to exchange rate fluctuations like with imported products
Maintain stable profit margins throughout the year
②Minimizing inventory risk
We purchase only what we need through a one-time ordering system with the workshop.
Minimum order quantity is 100 units (general wholesale is 500 units or more)
Additional orders for popular items can be processed within two weeks
3) Complete avoidance of quality risks
Quality assurance from a 300-year-old traditional workshop
Defective product rate 0.1% or less (industry average 5%)
In the unlikely event of an accident, the workshop will handle and replace the product directly.
Even more surprising is the "seasonal adjustment system."
The workshop adjusts inventory based on demand forecasts,
Suppliers do not need to worry about the risk of unsold goods .
In terms of actual numbers,
Typical risk loss rate for imported Japanese goods: 15-20% of annual sales
Risk loss rate of direct purchase from the workshop: Less than 2% of annual sales
If your store has an annual turnover of 10 million yen,
Risk management alone can prevent losses of 1.3 to 1.8 million yen per year .
This is an amount that goes directly into your net income.
Cases where annual sales have reached 300 million yen are achievable
Utilizing direct procurement from manufacturers
Store product lineup and sales promotion methods
A supplier's perfect strategy that increased sales 30 times in 5 years
"Can we really achieve annual sales of 300 million yen?"
By purchasing directly from the manufacturer, the company achieved annual sales of 10 million yen to 300 million yen.
Let us introduce the case of Company B, a Japanese goods specialty store in Tokyo.
A four-step process for success
Phase 1: Workshop Development Period (1st year)
Direct contracts with five Hina doll workshops
Number of products: 50 items → Profit rate established at 60%
Annual sales: 10 million yen → 18 million yen (80% increase)
Stage 2: Product diversification period (2nd-3rd year)
Expanded business with 15 workshops, total number of products: 200
Location-specific optimization and SNS packaging
Annual sales: 18 million yen → 65 million yen (261% increase)
Phase 3: Multi-store expansion period (4th year)
Leveraging successful know-how to open three stores simultaneously
Each store will have a location-specific product lineup
Annual sales: 65 million yen → 180 million yen (177% increase)
Stage 4: Systemization period (5th year)
Comprehensive contract with workshop, original product development
Start of sales of experience-based products for foreigners
Annual sales increased from 180 million yen to 320 million yen (78% increase)
Key Strategies for Success
Established the "Workshop Partnership System."
We are not just suppliers, but have built a relationship where we jointly develop products .
This allows us to secure unique products that other companies cannot imitate.
Introduced the "Foreign Repeat Customer System."
The buyer's home address is recorded and new product information is sent.
Orders from overseas have grown to account for 40% of total sales .
The most important factor for success is "thorough pursuit of profit margins."
Even with annual sales of 300 million yen, we maintain a profit margin of 60%.
Achieved astonishing profitability with a net profit of 180 million yen .
Comment from the president of Company B:
"Direct purchasing from the workshop is not just a purchasing method.
It is a cultural project that aims to bring the "real Japan" to foreign tourists.
That's why we're able to achieve such great results."
Now that we have a path to achieving annual sales of 300 million yen, it's time to take action
Thank you for reading this far.
The full picture of the "hidden golden route" of the Japanese goods industry for souvenirs for foreigners
I hope you understand.
・Profit margin of 60% secured by purchasing at 40% from the manufacturer's workshop
・Overwhelming quality created by craftsmanship with 300 years of experience in the Hina doll industry
・Social media-friendly packaging and multilingual POP tripled sales
・Maintain a 60% profit margin for all stores through location-specific optimization
・A domestically-contained purchasing system with almost zero risk
By implementing these strategies,
You can build a profit structure that your competitors will never be able to imitate .
The number of foreign tourists will continue to increase in the future.
It is predicted that by 2030, the number will exceed 60 million per year.
With "genuine Japanese quality" as our weapon in this huge market,
Achieve stable, high profits.
We are rooting for your success in the purchasing industry.
