What to buy in Japan

The book

It's hard to go past the bestselling Memoirs of a Geisha for its fascinating insight into a twilight world, especially if you're heading to Kyoto where geisha teahouse tours are part of the package.

Author Arthur Golden was sued by one of Japan's most famous geisha for misappropriating her life story in print, only adding to the sense that you really are peeking behind the sliding paper screen. The film is due soon.

Also ideal on the plane is a contemporary Westerner's view from Booker Prize winner Peter Carey's recent Wrong about Japan. It's part memoir about travelling with his 12-year-old son and part exploration of Japan's intense pop cultures of anime and manga.

The film

You've probably already seen Lost in Translation, but check out the DVD version for extras on the difficulties of filming the story of two Americans lost together in Tokyo.

Skip The Last Samurai - too close to home and Hollywood - but check out the classic Seven Samurai by acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa.

Our pick to watch for its return from the recent film festival to discerning video/DVD outlets is anime movie Steamboy by animator/director Katsuhiro Otomo, which just happens to have Anna Paquin doing an English language voice-over.

The splurge

Pleats please: this Issey Miyake bag is just the handle to dangle. Evening bag-sized, in brown and teal, this is a designer option that won't break the bank.

Miyake, with a coterie of other designers including Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garcons and Kenzo Takada helped redefine fashion in the 1980s - think black, asymmetric, draperies that made Dallas dressing so dumbly overt.

Still subtle, still intelligent and still unique, a connoisseur's choice.

The gadget

Forget tiny cellphones, little laptops or electronic pets-- they're so last year. The latest wacky gadget from Japan is a new set of speakers for your stereo, which instead of bulky boxes use your favourite potted plant.

Let's Corporation has developed the "Ka-on" ("Flower Sound") speaker system that uses petals and leaves to act as speakers so you can plug your soprano sunflower or tenor tulips in and away you go.

If that's not weird enough, next year the company will sell a speaker phone using the same technology. Now go call your conifer.

The scent

Delicate aromas redolent of distant places transform your interiors.

Try individually wrapped soaps, incense and scented wardrobe hangers for inexpensive ways to transport yourself. You won't want to open the beautiful packaging, but breathe deeply and think of cherry blossoms.

The taste

Sushi lunches, noodle dinners and rice cracker snacks are everyday food choices now, and New Zealand is well-served by a range of Japanese eateries from pricy sashimi to cheap and cheerful yakitori. But to make eating oriental easy at home, why not forget cup-o-soup in favour of instant miso? And try the smooth, mild flavours of Japanese curry paste.

The gift

Japan is a gift buyer's delight. Keepsakes for cooks are some of the best bets, with beautifully crafted utensils and serving dishes available. From lacquer containers to china bowls and pottery sake flasks through easy-to-pack chopsticks and chopstick rests, there's a souvenir for everyone.