Celebrate your child’s first holidays and congratulate expecting friends & family with the 20 Best Amazon Japan Finds For Babies and Toddlers!
I’m eagerly counting down to the holidays (and rich chocolatey seasonal snacks)! Sure, things will be different this year due to COVID-19, and our trip back to the US has also been postponed. But, that doesn’t mean that I can’t celebrate. In fact, it’s all the more reason to make things special with my girl.
While babies and toddlers don’t “need” or even have an understanding of the holidays, it doesn’t mean that parents can’t celebrate and take pleasure in seeing their child light up with delight.
This is why I’ve made a list of the 20 Best Amazon Japan Finds For Babies and Toddlers. I hope that it will serve as baby registry inspo/gift guide for your own children or for friends/family/coworkers who will soon have little ones of their own. Happy Shopping!
This post contains affiliate links.
20 Best Amazon Japan Finds For Babies and Toddlers
NEWBORNS & BABIES
1. Skip House 5 Piece Organic Cotton Newborn Clothing Set
When I was packing my hospital bag, I was very skeptical of one item: hadagi (肌着) kimono-like onesies for newborns. I thought the little ties would be too cumbersome and the material too thin. But, these Japanese onesies are honestly amazing for layering in the colder months. Plus, they make changing diapers and dealing with blowouts so much easier! This hadagi set is made from organic cotton, so it’s free of pesticides and synthetic materials that can irritate a newborn’s delicate skin.
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2. 11 Piece Organic Cotton Baby Futon Set
Newborns and babies have sensitive skin, so choosing chemical-free, organic cotton bedding can help reduce the chance of developing skin conditions, all while having a good night’s sleep. The futon measures 70×120cm and can be used in cribs as well as a single futon during the toddler years. Available in 20 patterns.
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3. Duffy the Disney Bear Bib and Towel Set
Re-live the magic of Tokyo DisneySea during meal time with this adorable bib and towel set featuring Duffy the Disney Bear. Duffy merchandise can only be purchased at Tokyo DisneySea and this is an official licensed product that any Disney fan will surely love!
Shop Now. Shellie Mae Bib and Towel set available here.
4. Traditional Japanese Clothing
Sweet Mommy is a Japanese maternity clothing brand, and they also have a line of traditional garments for babies and pre-toddlers made out of organic cotton. These are perfect for a baby’s first New Year’s shrine visit, Hatsu Sekko, Girls’ Day, and Boys’ Day.
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5. The Mitsutani Miyoko Book Collection
This is a collection of three books by one of Japan’s most celebrated children’s book authors, Mitsutani Miyoko. It includes her classics いいおかお (Ii Kao | Smiley Face), もうねんね (Mou Nenne | It’s Nap Time) and her hit, Peek-A-Boo (いないいないばあ), which was the first children’s book in Japan to sell more than 5 million copies.
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6. Animal Rice Blocks
Okome no Omocha is a line of rice toys for babies and kids and its latest version is this rainbow colored animal block set. It comes with 5 flexible animals, and the traditional shaped blocks all have a happy grain of rice etched on them.
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7. The Onigiri Maker Book Set
Introduce your baby to the delicious world of Japanese cuisine with this book about an onigiri maker and his friends. This book comes with felt squeak toys (plain rice balls, seaweed strips, fried shrimp, pickled plum and salmon ) to enhance the reading and culinary experience.
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8. Suku Suku Chair
Unlike traditional high chairs that are used during the baby weaning and pre-toddler stage, the Suku Suku Chair is an adjustable chair designed to be used from around 6-7 months of age up into adulthood. After removing the leg partition and table tray, the Suku Suku Chair looks like a regular chair that matches any dining set. (I, too, was once skeptical that this chair could actually support an adult. But, I’m actually typing this from my daughter’s Suku Suku Chair, so yes, it does support 50+ kg!)
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9. Backpack Cushion
What’s cuter than a Shiba butt? A Shiba butt that protects your wobbly walker from head injuries! When my daughter was in the crawling/standing stage, I bought one of these backpack cushions, and they certainly help ease the anxiety you feel when your child starts exploring their surroundings on foot. And, it makes for super cute baby photos!
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10. Babycolor 12 Piece Crayon Set
When your baby reaches the pre-toddler stage, it’s not too early to introduce them to pre-writing activities. Babycolor crayons have a large body that fit nicely into a pre-toddler’s hand and the elongated cone tip gives them control as they scribble away. We used these in my Mikihouse Mommy and Me English classes and they were always a big hit during lesson time.
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20 Best Amazon Japan Finds For Babies and Toddlers
TODDLERS
11. Indoor Jungle Gym
This whole shopping list came about because I’m thinking of what to get my daughter for Christmas. COVID ain’t going away anytime soon, and I’m looking for toys that will add a bit of fun to quarantine life. This collapsible and adjustable jungle gym comes with a slide, swing, and a horizontal bar for some monkeying around.
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12. Super Mario Wooden Blocks
Filed under “Stuff I wish existed back when I was an 80s baby” is this set of Super Mario World-themed wooden blocks that also comes with a matching play mat. If you grew up playing Super Mario on Nintendo, there’s a pretty good chance these blocks will end up in your hands more than your child’s hands!
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13. Aqua Doodle Writing Mat
This innovative writing mat from Pilot Ink, a subsidiary of Pilot Pen, is a mess-free, eco-friendly tool that kids can use to unleash their creativity. The marker is actually a special device that uses patented hydrochromic ink technology to turn water into colored “ink” that fades away without the use of erasers or special tools.
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14. My First Clay Set
Clay is a curious play thing that can open up a world of possibilities for a toddler. Some kids might not be interested (or even afraid) of clay when they first try it, but eventually they are charmed by clay’s responsive nature. This set comes with 8 colors of clay, tools, and a mat to aid a child as they shape clay and stretch their imagination.
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15. Kitpas Bath Crayons
At the toddler stage, kids are eager to copy everything that adults do, including using writing instruments. These Kitpas Bath Crayons are a great way to introduce a little fun during bath time. They clean up without leaving any residue on hands, faces, and shower walls. (Foam bath toys, on the other hand, are a different story!)
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16. Daruma-san Book Series
Daruma-san is a lovable daruma doll that uses simple, repetitive text and whimsical art to introduce the Japanese grammar particles “ga,” “to,” and “no.” The series itself is only 10 years old, but its immense popularity has already solidified Daruma-san as a classic in Japan.
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17. Kitchen Play Set
These pastel-colored kitchen toys are actually made out of RICE and are an adorable addition to any toddler’s kitchen. Each piece is lightweight, has rounded edges and is handmade in Japan’s “toy town” of Mibu, Tochigi Prefecture.
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18. Forest Puzzle Wooden Toy Bus
I’m a big fan of wooden toys and this wooden bus is a form of transportation that also doubles as a spatial reasoning toy. Your child can sit on the bus and skoosh themselves around all day. Or, they can use the handle to push the bus forward or backwards like a trolly, collecting toys along the way, including the shape blocks.
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19. Sun Rider Scooter/Tricycle/Balance Bike
Nonaka World is a domestic manufacturer of kids’ trolleys, battery-operated cars, tricycles, and scooters. This is a 3-way vehicle can be a parent-operated push tricycle, a tricycle or a pedal-free balance bike. Suitable for toddlers 18 months and older and can be used up until 5 years of age (supports up to 20 kg).
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20. Duffy the Disney Bear Suit
Duffy the Disney Bear debuted at Tokyo DisneySea 16 years ago and remains an extremely popular character in Japan. Whether you’re a Disney fan or have mini Disney fans of your own, there’s no denying the kawaiiness of this Duffy bear suit!
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