Andie’s Gift Guide

Nov 21

Written By Kisa Ito

Check out holiday gift picks from

ANDIE KIMURA

Lifelong fan and friend of Little Tokyo.

Favorite Little Tokyo small businesses: Anzen Hardware, Yoboseyo! Superette, and Suehiro Cafe

1. Dish brush ($9) + solid dish soap ($12.50) + Canvas and Clay hexagon dish ($15) from Yoboseyo! Superette (in-store only, 358 E 2nd Street)

“Very cute plastic-free mini homewarming gift!”

2. Hario filter in bottle for cold brewed tea ($25) from Tea Master (in-store only, 450 E 2nd Street)

“This glass bottle supports loose leaf tea and requires no energy!”

3. Sakai Takayuki knife (~$220) from Anzen Hardware (in-store only, 309 E 1st Street)

“Everyone deserves a good knife to cook with and whether you're superstitious or not, Betty always includes a penny on the box. Cuts like a dream and you can bring it back to get sharpened at Anzen too!”

4. Sustainable Little Tokyo bokashi composting kit ($35) from Anzen Hardware (in-store only, 309 E 1st Street)

“Anytime is a good time to start "recycling" your food waste. Bokashi method is low maintenance, flexible, and an anarobic process so there is no methane released like traditional composting. This set includes a pair of buckets and a bag of ready-to-use bokashi.”

5. Donabe ($40~$65+) from Utsuwa-no-Yakata (online and in store, Little Tokyo Galleria 333 S Alameda St #101)

“Perfect for anyone who loves a cozy meal at home on a chilly night!”

6. Narita 1.2L electric hot pot ($19.99) from Home Mart (in-store only, Little Tokyo Galleria 333 S Alameda St 2nd Floor)

“Honestly, I saw someone on Instagram pack one of these on their vacation to have ramen in their hotel room and I've been jealous ever since. Great for a white elephant, college student, and/or single soup lover. Electric hot pots are also so much faster than cooking on a gas stove and you're not burning fossil fuels! A+”

7. Community Supported Agriculture box subscription ($30/month) from Azay/Yasukochi Farms (online)

“Community Supported Agriculture boxes from Yasukochi Farms is a great way to get fresh, local, seasonal produce and have an excuse to stop by LT favorite, Azay. To gift, purchase the number of boxes you would like to gift and add a note with the recipient's name and that it is a gift. To redeem, kindly ask the recipient to email Azay. CSA boxes are currently monthly.”

8. Japanese American National Museum family membership ($95) and children’s books ($10~$20) from JANM/JANM Store (online or in person at 100 N Central Avenue)

“The gift that keeps giving...for at least a year! For those with young ones, take advantage of member perks on family days, various discounts, and free admission to strengthen those cultural roots. Pair with age appropriate books because books knowledge is power.”

9. Furoshiki, Japanese bandanas, ($7.80~$45) from Popkiller, Bunkado, Rafu Bussan,or JANM

“Make the wrapping part of the the gift! Encourage the receiver to reuse for future gifts or just to aesthetically carry items around.”