Your dream vacation in Japan is drawing to a close, and it’s time to say goodbye to those remarkable bidet toilets, conveyor-belt sushi, and 100-yen shops. While your suitcase might be bursting with cherished mementos, there are some items you should leave behind in Japan. Read on for our countdown of seven things you should not take home!
7. Fresh Fruits and Vegetable
Everyone loves Japanese strawberries—except airport customs.
Tasty and delicious? Absolutely. Allowed through customs? Most likely not. The importation of raw produce and seeds is often strictly regulated by countries, so it’s best to enjoy those scrumptious strawberries and that juicy melon before you head off to the airport in Japan. Besides, let’s be honest—they might taste great before you take off but probably not by the time you land.
6. Raw Seafood
Enjoy it where it tastes best—within Japan!
As tempting as it might be, you should resist the urge to carry home some incredible uni (sea urchin) like the fresh ones you had in your sashimi rice bowl. Raw seafood just doesn’t travel well—and you can be sure that no one wants to sit next to someone carrying a package of fishy treats.
5. Certain Medications
Be aware of import regulations, especially those on over-the-counter medication.
What’s fine in Japan might not fly elsewhere—check your country’s drug laws before packing. You could run into legal problems if you try to carry even common Japanese medicines like cough syrup or painkillers through customs in places like the US or Australia.
4. Items for Resale
If your suitcase resembles a merchandise store on wheels, expect some intrusive questions at customs.
Buying a few gifts for family and friends? No worries. However, a suitcase packed to the brim with identical designer bags or heaps of rare anime figures will certainly arouse suspicion. Most countries allow only imports for personal use, so it’s best to stick to those when shopping.
3. Samurai Swords
We know Japanese swords look insanely cool. Just be careful if you’re planning to take them out of the country.
Although you, as a true Japan lover, may dream of owning a genuine samurai sword, you need to figure out how you’re going to get it back home. If that toy or novelty sword looks too much like the real thing, you might want to reconsider. Check the regulations carefully before spending your cash—there are acceptable ways to purchase it, but you need to have a purchase-to-airport plan in place beforehand!
2. Live Plants
Cute, mini trees that are quintessentially Japanese? Bonsai would be the perfect souvenir, if only they weren’t such a hassle to get through customs.
A true Japanese icon, bonsai would make an apartment anywhere feel a little cooler. Alas, getting it out of the country isn’t as simple as you might expect. Make sure you fully understand the export regulations to avoid trouble at the border!
1. A Piece of Japan
If only you could pack Japan itself into your suitcase! But alas, you'll just have to come back again to see more.
How incredibly romantic it would be to take a piece of Japan home with you to cherish forever—be it a rock, coral, or a tree branch from a national park. Turns out, though, it would also be breaking the law. Please leave Japan’s natural beauty where it belongs—in Japan! But you are welcome to come back again soon to see more of this wonderful country!
For information about customs rules and regulations when entering Japan, check out the JNTO’s official website page. https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/customs-and-duty/
This information is current as of 2025. Regulations vary by country, so always do your own research! Enjoy your travels!
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About the author
Author: Jessica Ujiie
Profile: Living by the sea in Kamakura with two cats and one dog, Jessica Ujiie works as a translator and writer. Her passion for language is matched by a love of salsa dancing and exploring Japan’s lesser-known corners - always on the lookout for a new story to tell.
