It feels like everyone is off to Japan in the spring (including SCK’s Emma!) but if you’re stuck at home you can at least enjoy a little bit of Japan by making something cute at home. I’ve found some fun kits, patterns and tutorials to try.
If you miss Japanese snacks, Audrey Lilian has all the favourites in kawaii style with takoyaki, onigiri, dango, taiyaki ice cream, and turtle melon pan. You get all 5 crochet patterns in one affordable bundle and you can make them in multiple flavours too.
Or for a crafty take on character cafes, make some adorable Pompompurin and Cinnamoroll Onigiri with this free tutorial and crochet pattern from Crochet with Aybi, who also has lots more free Sanrio patterns.
Austin Crafts Art (US) have a beautiful range of embroidery kits that are stitched on a translucent mesh so the light will shine through. There’s a few traditional Japanese scenes including Fuji, blossom and a Hokusai-style wave.
Needleminder Lair have lots of Japan-themed cross stitch patterns to choose from and I love this pastel Tokyo city design with Tokyo Tower and sakura.
Sashiko is a simple type of hand-stitching that’s a nice change from embroidery or cross stitch and Japan Crafts (UK) have both modern and traditional designs as kits that include everything you need. These pretty Cherry Blossoms are perfect for spring (and are currently lurking in my unfinished projects box!)
Shops where you can design your own accessory with embroidered patches are becoming popular and you can try it at home with a DIY kit from Rainbowholic Shop (JP). Choose a plain pouch or tote bag plus as many cute Japan-themed iron-on patches to personalise it however you like.
I think everyone who visits Japan gets a little obsessed with the trains as they’re so efficient, plus all the fun extras of themed carriages and station stamps. You can recreate one at home with this Sakura Journey wooden puzzle kit from Robotime (global), which even lights up for a pretty decoration. There’s currently 15% off in the Spring Sale too.
Tatsukuri’s Origami shows you how to make a cute little origami Mt. Fuji box that you can use as a desk friend. You can also make a matching cat and bunny.
Gachapon are probably the thing I miss the most about visiting Japan. If you feel the same way, make this DIY gacha machine from cardboard with Nicoto Studio’s tutorial and fill it with surprises or even buy some capsules online.
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