Which Pandora Charms Are Exclusive To Japan?
Japan exclusive Pandora charms are charms that are only available in Japan. I recently bought my niece a Japanese Doll Dangle Charm which I took back to England as a gift on our recent summer trip. Pandora charms on a travel bracelet would also make a great souvenir from a trip to Japan.
Where To Buy Pandora Charms In Japan
Before I went back to the UK I made finding unique and interesting gifts from Japan my mission. I ordered from the Pandora Japan website and delivery took two days. I live in Japan and have a Japanese address, you can use a non Japanese credit card on the website. You can also buy Pandora charms from the many stockists across Japan.
Which Pandora Charms Are Asia Exclusive?
NEW Torii Gate Charm 793916C01
Torii gates mark the entrance to a sacred space, they have become a widely recognised motif on icon of Japan.
Japanese Doll in Blue Kimono Charm 798595C01
A kokeshi doll in a blue kimono is a sign of feminine strength.
Cute Fortune Cat Charm 769271C01
A gold maneki cat charm that represents good fortune. The Japanese Pandora site states that it is the kanji 福 (fuku) luck which appears on the cats paw. To me the kanji depicted does not look like fuku but I am not a native speaker and it could be a sylised font or possibly even flipped?
Red Daruma Doll Charm 798920C01
This daruma has both eyes and features the kanji 福 (fuku) which means good luck. Usually you purchase a daruma with no eyes, you draw on one eye when making a wish and the second eye when the wish comes true. The daruma represents wish fulfilment.
Japan Mount Fuji Dangle Charm 791169_E013
A round charm that features Mount Fuji and a branch of sakura with the word Japan written in uppercase letters below the picture. Mount Fuji is the iconic symbol of Japan and a source of artistic inspiration it represents many things including longevity and prosperity.
Japan Sushi Silver Dangle Charm 791169_E018
A round charm that features two pictures of sushi, ikura sushi and tamogoyaki sushi. The word Japan is written below the pictures. Sushi is emblematic of Japan but the image does not carry a significant meaning. It's still a fun mememto charm especially for sushi lovers. In some contexts such as the New Year meal of Osechi, ikura (cod roe) and tamago (egg) represent fertility.
Shinto Shrine Silver Dangle With Red and Black Enamel 791169_E003
A round charm with a torii gate on it and the word Japan written below it. You will find torii gates across Japan with the famous senbon torii (one thousand torii gates) at Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine being a popular tourist attraction.
Buying the Pandora Japanese Doll Charm gift was my first experience with Pandora, it seemed expensive for such a small piece but when it arrived I was quite smitten, enchanted by this cute little doll charm. The weight of the charm felt solid and the details of the glossy dark blue kimono studded with stars against the black hair and the beautiful pale blue iridescent obi(belt) which is tied into a bow at the back. I could immediatly see the appeal, online pictures really do not do these charms justice. Even the round part that attaches to the bracelet is encased in blue gems.
Non Exclusive Pandora Charms That Symbolise Japan
While sakura is iconic in Japan, a quick internet search shows that the Cherry Blossom Charms are not a limited release in Japan. There are the pink Cherry Blossom Dangle Charms in silver 790667C01 and rose gold 780667C01 and the Blue Blossom Dangle Charms in silver and gold. There is also a rose gold cherry blossom pendant set NAMPS0268.
Likewise the Red Murano Glass Koi Fish Mini Dangle Charm 793863C01 is not a Japan exclusive charm but it does have a strong symbolism in Japan. Koi are associated with perservence and overcoming obstacles because of the koi carp that swim upstream. You'll find koi ponds at Japanese temples and shrines and on the koinobori streamers on Children's Day.
The Akita Inu Charm 799030C01 reprents the faithful dog Hachiko. Hachiko "Hachi" is a famous dog in Japan, he was a loyal dog who waited for his owner to return from work outside the train station every day. When his owner died suddenly and didn't return from work, Hachi a purebreed akita dog continued to wait at the station for his master for the next ten years. There is a statue of hachiko outside Shibuya station and he has become a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness. People also wait there for lovers that never return. I love this story and think the Akita Inu Pandora charm coupled with a Hachiko book would make the most romantic gift.
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