Japanese Puzzle Boxes

January 28, 2019 1:57 AM

I'm looking at getting my husband a Japanese puzzle box for his birthday. Which are the best types?

Should I order one straight from Japan (I can read enough Japanese to purchase online I think) or are the best ones available outside of Japan? We're in Australia but I'm happy to purchase from anywhere.

Should I consider other types of puzzle boxes as well?

posted by poxandplague to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (3 answers total)

Not sure about others, but a friend of mine makes these and is considered top in the game (he's won awards, etc). His work is beautiful. Out of the US, though.
posted by LKWorking at 8:20 AM on January 28, 2019

I got a puzzle box very similar to this as a gift a few years ago and like it a lot! My parents did buy it in Japan, but if they're available on Amazon, they're probably available other places as well if navigating a Japanese website ends up being a little too much trouble.
posted by helloimjennsco at 11:09 AM on January 28, 2019

I bought one puzzle box from a seller in the US. The box itself was made in Japan but shipping was considerably cheaper and quicker as it was coming from the US to Canada. I guess they bought a bunch from Japan and then were selling from their storefront.

I received a puzzle box from Japan as well (as in it was purchased in Japan and then shipped to me along with other things from my in-laws).

The two boxes look like they're from the same source and resemble the one in helloimjennsco's link. If I were to buy another one in the future (which I'm reasonably likely to do) I'd probably order from the US again as long as it had the size, complexity, and design that I wanted.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:30 PM on January 28, 2019