Tokyo's 'best of the year' gift guide

The recession forced Japanese manufacturers to produce the cheapest items imaginable -- like the ¥690 pair of jeans. Sadly, few of these make particularly inspirational gifts.

There have been, however, a number of great items to hit the Japanese market this year that will make your friends, family, co-workers and romantic interest happy. Here are few in some select categories.

FICTION
Haruki Murakami's "1Q84"
Although still only available in Japanese, the first two volumes of Haruki Murakami's latest book were 2009's best-selling. Hardcore Murakami fans generally do not consider it his finest work, but with so many fellow readers and the final volume out in Summer 2010, reading "1Q84" is a rare chance to get in touch with both the zeitgeist and your literary side.
Price: ¥1,890 per volume

MUSIC
Shugo Tokumaru's "Exit"
Wunderkind Shugo Tokumaru released his third album "Exit" at the very end of 2007, but the album still makes a great 2009 gift as possibly the best Japanese album of the entire decade. Mixing compositional genius, expert guitar work, and a toybox of digitally-processed children's instruments, Tokumaru has been able to create an entirely new pop form both pleasing to casual listeners and hardcore music geeks. Watch videos for "Parachute" and "Green Rain" for a sample.
Price: ¥2,500 list price

VIDEO GAME
Final Fantasy XIII
The newest installment of Japan's favorite role playing game will be released on December 17. The game could be a bust, but with huge sales predicted, you'll at least have a topic of conversation with your nerdy gamer friends for the first half of the year.
Price: ¥7,979 (for PlayStation 3)

FASHION
Rogin's "Samurai Underwear
These tight-fitting undergarments for men are designed to look like the proprietary armor of Japan's greatest samurai leaders. The underwear makes a great gift for guys -- and an even better gift for their history-obsessed girlfriends.
Price: ¥9,240 for the long, ¥8,085 for the short

CHAMPAGNE
Beaumont des Crayeres' Grande Reserve Champagne
We may be in the middle of a recession, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the holidays in style. Epernay-based cooperative Beaumont des Crayeres' Grande Reserve Champagne is elegantly crisp and subtle -- and a steal at around ¥4000 a bottle.
Price: ¥4,400

SPIRITS
Nikka’s Taketsuru
Japanese whiskey has been picking up medals at competitions around the globe since 2001. This year, Nikka’s 21-year-old Taketsuru whiskey proved that Japan's still got it by winning the whiskey trophy at the International Spirits Challenge and taking the "World’s Best Blended Malt" prize at the World Whiskey Awards.
Price: around ¥10,000

HEALTHY SWEETS
Patisserie Potager’s healthy desserts
In these times of the dreaded "metabo" obesity epidemic, everyone has become diet-minded. But there's no reason to keep forcing yourself to eat carob. Patisserie Potager’s healthy desserts made from wholesome ingredients like sweet potatoes, burdock root and ginger are delicious enough to make you forget they're good for you.
Price: A whole tomato cheesecake costs ¥2,625

ART
Hidenosuke Owari custom-made paintings
The super-cute "kawaii" pop aesthetic of emerging artist Hidenosuke Owari also manages to work as a humorous critique of Japanese culture. His aggressively adorable paintings, which feature a gourmandizing pig and a masochistic bear, can be custom ordered this month from Gallery K in Azabu Juban.

GADGET
Seiwa Carwasher
The Seiwa Carwasher sucks all the dirt and pollen out of your car interior, powered only from the cigarette lighter socket. Easy to clean, fits in the drink holder. What's not to love?
Price: ¥2,980

FITNESS
Wii Fit Plus
This latest Wii Fit game came out this year using the same balance board from before but adding 15 new exercise games on the software. The game also has its own yoga instructor and a way to track the number of calories burned.
Price: ¥2,000 (without board)

HOME
Akebono's Mochiami & Chips Maker
This little plastic kit lets you use your microwave to make healthy non-fried potato chips. With the included slicer and rack, you can make chips with radish, sweet potato or pumpkin as well.
Price: ¥1,680

EXCLUSIVE
Narita helicopter ride
Mori Building's new helicopter service from Ark Hills to Narita Airport has made the green car of Narita Express seem so plebian. Give your favorite executive a free ride -- try to snag the Hermès-design helicopter -- to make what is usually a long slog into a plush luxury.
Price: ¥38,000 one-way