Gift vouchers in Japan for babies?

[tanukiyaki]

Hi, where would be a good site to get a gift voucher for a 1-year-old girl in Japan? There's always Amazon which I get stuff off occasionally for myself but it's a bit generic. Is there any less mainstream online shops with toys & baby clothing etc that offers a gift card?

domo~~

[Behan]

The Sogo department store chain might be nice.

[tanukiyaki]

The Sogo department store chain might be nice.

Thanks for that. I should've said, I'm in oz so it'd have to be something I can pay for online & have it sent. I had look at babiesrus in japan but can't find anything on whether they offer vouchers or not?

[Behan]

I looked at the Sogo web site a bit and couldn't find anything with a quick glance. I am sure you can get them in the store but don't know if you can get them through the website.
In general, shohin ken (vouchers) seem to be pretty popular in Japan. Kids are given bookstore vouchers (tosho-ken) and sometimes you are given biiru-ken (beer, or liquor, vouchers).
I will try to have a look and if I find anything I will post it. I am curious now, too, about whether you can get these things online or not.

[DrP]

Isetan is good - so is Micky House and GAP. As the proud father of a 2yo, I can say that pretty much any dept store is good. If you want to be more eco-less-brand conscious then I'd shoot for Avocat , Simple Shoes or anything that is not made in China. Unless of course - you just go directly to China and buy it there.

[Charles]

I believe this organization issues vouchers that can be given as gifts and exchanged for baby goods at any store in Japan.

[FG Lurker]

I believe this organization issues vouchers that can be given as gifts and exchanged for baby goods at any store in Japan.

What's happened to you Charles? You're actually funny sometimes now!

I was also going to say that when we had our little monster 8 years ago one of my uncles slipped some yen cash into a card and mailed it off. Arrived without problems.

Another option is an International Postal Money Order:
http://tinyurl.com/6k67bo

If your friend lives in the sticks they may have problems cashing it at their local post office but if they persist it will be possible. Any large post office shouldn't have issues with it. Just make sure that it is an International Postal Money Order and that it actually says exactly that on it! Some countries have both domestic and international versions and the domestic version will be worthless here.

[tanukiyaki]

Thanks guys for the info. Even though a gift voucher is still a cop-out, it's probably a bit better than just sending money though But it might come to that - Keep us posted on wht you find, Behan. Thanks!

Also found this : http://www.wisecart.ne.jp/toycard/

They live in atsugi, What are these shops like?

トイザらス 厚木店 神奈川県厚木市妻田東3-25-24 玩具
サンルージュ　本厚木店 神奈川県厚木市泉町1-1 小田急本厚木ﾐﾛｰﾄﾞ①5F ファンシー
厚木サティ 神奈川県厚木市中町1-5-10 ベビー･子供服
イトーヨーカドー 厚木店 神奈川県厚木市中町4-13-1 玩具･ﾍﾞﾋﾞｰ子供服
ダイクマ 厚木店 神奈川県厚木市長谷6-20 玩具
高原屋商店 神奈川県厚木市田村町1-1 玩具

[Charles]

Thanks guys for the info. Even though a gift voucher is still a cop-out, it's probably a bit better than just sending money though

Why? Everyone loves money. There are even special ornamental envelopes for such occasions, called noshibukuro.