Omotenashi Selection: Experience Japan’s Timeless Hospitality
This Christmas, go beyond the ordinary and share a gift that embodies thoughtfulness, tradition and global appeal. OMOTENASHI Selection is a curated collection of exceptional products and services that reflect the true spirit of Japanese hospitality. Whether it’s a beautifully crafted item or an innovative service, every selection tells a story of dedication, artistry and heartfelt hospitality. Make this holiday season unforgettable with gifts that bring a touch of Japan’s warmth and elegance to your loved ones.
About Omotenashi Selection Award
Founded in 2015, OMOTENASHI Selection works alongside more than 20 privately owned companies to highlight unique creations that merge traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern ingenuity. Each item is evaluated through rigorous inspections by international residents of Japan, focusing on two key criteria: the spirit of omotenashi (to wholeheartedly look after guests) and global creativity.
Awards
From beautifully handcrafted ceramics and artisanal teas to modern lifestyle goods that showcase ingenious uses of traditional materials, each winner reflects the thoughtful spirit of Japanese hospitality. These exceptional creations are not only a testament to Japan’s timeless craftsmanship but are also designed to connect with people around the world, making them perfect for thoughtful and unique Christmas gifts. Here are all the categories and some of the winners.
Grand Gold Award
Designer’s Daruma Imai Daruma NAYA, Inc. (Gunma)
An artistic reimagining of the classic daruma doll—famed in Japan as a symbol of encouragement—the Designer’s Daruma features six lines on its front, representing the flow of time from past to future. On either side, the Japanese Katakana words korobu (to fall) and okiru (to rise) embody the resilient spirit of the saying “fall down seven times, get up eight,” presented in a visually striking, formula-like design. With its sleek black, white and red color scheme, this modern interpretation of the traditional Daruma serves as both a decorative piece and a powerful reminder of perseverance.
Gold Award
ORIZURU chopstick rest Kizawa (Kyoto)
This porcelain chopstick rest is shaped like a folded crane, a timeless symbol of good fortune. Each piece is meticulously decorated with gold using hand-painting techniques from the renowned Kiyomizu and Kyo ware traditions of Japan. Featuring a variety of colors and gold-painted cats, each rest is a unique work of art, even within the same design series. Embracing the concept of offering “a one-of-a-kind item for each customer,” Kizawa ensures that each product is crafted with individuality.
Consecutive Gold Awards
Kagamino Horori Cookie Wakana L.P. (Okayama)
Made with premium wheat flour from Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, and rich Belgian couverture chocolate, Wakana’s Kagamino Horori cookies offer a completely new texture experience. Crafted using a carefully developed baking technique, these cookies deliver a surprisingly delicate, crumbly texture that melts instantly in your mouth. Offering a unique fusion of smooth chocolate with a soft and feather-light cookie, Kagamino Horori has crafted a cookie that will leave you truly impressed.
Special Distinction Award
MAF WOOL DENIM NIKKE TEXTILE Co., Ltd. (Osaka)
Unlike traditional denim, which is primarily made from cotton, this product stands out with its luxurious softness, subtle luster and elegant drape, all thanks to its 100% wool composition. MAF WOOL DENIM uses ultra-fine raw wool to enhance their products’ softness, providing a comfortable and smooth feel. Their material is also highly resistant to color fading, ensuring its enduring beauty over time.
Award
POWER GYOZA Kabushiki Kaisha Kakumei Japan (Shizuoka)
Created with a vision to blend Japan’s rich culinary heritage with a sustainable future, POWER GYOZA repurposes eel heads and bones—typically considered waste—and combines them with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. This sustainable and healthy frozen gyoza offers a truly unique experience. With each bite, a burst of eel collagen soup floods your mouth, delivering a taste sensation unlike anything else. Committed to maintaining the highest quality for the next 10 years, POWER GYOZA brings Japan’s spirit of omotenashi—heartfelt hospitality—to the world in a delicious, forward-thinking way.
Consecutive Awards
KRAACH CRYSTAL BATH SALT KRAACH (QUARTER SOCIETY LLC.)
This gemstone bath salt combines the purifying, activating and healing powers of gemstones with the cleansing properties of salt and the soothing natural fragrance of essential oils. Featuring three types of gemstone powder—amethyst, amber and rose quartz, each containing 10 carats—the bath salt is crafted with 100% Himalayan salt and other carefully selected, all-natural ingredients to fully enhance their inherent powers. Soaking in a bath infused with any of these gemstone bath salts will help reset your mood, especially when you’re feeling mentally and physically exhausted, leaving you refreshed and ready to embrace the new day with positivity.
The OMOTENASHI Selection awards highlight the finest products that embody Japanese craftsmanship and hospitality. These unique items make perfect Christmas gifts, offering a blend of tradition and innovation. Discover the full list of award-winning products on their website, and find the perfect gift to give your loved ones this holiday season.