For your first trip to Japan, you might like to take something special home. How about personalized souvenirs？ These would make perfect gift for your family or friends as well.
Hanko (stamp/seal)
In Japan, official documents need to have hanko (personal stampss or personal seal with your name) for a long time. It is like your signature. We still do in some cases but less so becasue we cannot use them on PC. (I hear there are e-hanko available now though.) When I was younger, I made my first hanko when I started to live by myself because I needed it for bank accounts, contracts for apartment, utilities, phones, as well as at work. We still use them quite often in daily life.
.There are some shops that can make hanko quickly. For example in Tokyo, at hanko@tokyo in Shinjuku and Shibuya, they can make hanko within a day. (if not busy, as quickly as in 4 hours) There is another hanko shop in Shinagawa called Hankoland. They can think of your name in Kanji, too. There is also a unique hanko shop in Yanaka. Jaakunahankoya Shinimonogurui. This shop has cute design together with your name. This shop is popular among young people.
In Don Quijote (Donki), there are hanko vending machine that you can make your original hanko in alphabet, hiragana, katakana or in kanji (It is better to figure out the character before you make) starting from 500 yen. manual_en.pdf (hankojihanki.jp)
Senja-fuda stickers with your name
When you visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples, you might see stickers pasted at the gate. Although nowadays many places prohibit it, it was a common thing to do during Edo Period. They are called Senja-fuda（千社札）and there are places you can make those stickers. You can use it to put it on your notebooks or use it like a name card. Your children might like it, too.
One shop you can order is senjafuda.com in front of Kabuki-za theater in Ginza, Tokyo. They will translate your name in Kanji and also have Senja-fuda style straps.
Chopsticks with your name
After traveling Japan, you are used to using chopstick and you may want to take it home as sourvenir. There are many chopstick shops but there are some shops that can engrave your name. Some places like Sensoji (Asakusa):Asakusa Takeya, Kiyomizu dera (Kyoto) or Nishiki market (Kyoto):Yuuzen you can find small chopstick stores that can engrave them at the spot. (it may take some time if it is crowded. Maybe it is better to shop first and then pick them up after sightseeing.
In Japan, we have our own chopsticks at home. Sometimes, we give pair chopsticks for wedding gift or grand parents nice chopsticks as birthday or respect for elders day gifts. Chopssticks would be practical gift for your family as well. Some handmade ones are really beautiful but quite expensive. For those, you should hand wash them with mild soap. I generally buy dish washer safe chopsticks.
Kitchen Knife
Japanese knives are really popular. At some shops that specialize in knives, they will engrave your name on the knife. If your family or friend love to cook, this will be a great gift.
All of these items are practical and also easy to take home.
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