Japanese Charms and Straps

Japan is the country of the cute and the adorable. A notable sub-category of adorable things sold all over the country in an infinite variety are little charms and phone straps. They come in all imaginable materials, such as paper, sea shells, metal, textiles, ceramics, wood, glass, leather, and nowadays obviously also a lot of plastic. Many are adorned with a small bell or are even bells themselves. Every self-respecting temple or shrine sells them, and so does every souvenir shop. While in the former case, the function of good luck charm is probably the more important one, in the latter case cuteness and local craft are the defining attributes. They make indeed a lovely souvenir since they are both small and lightweight and characteristic of the place.

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