🌐 日本語版はこちら / Read this page in Japanese
A one-of-a-kind whale, born from the Karatsu coastline
"The Whale" (the Traveling Whale) is a one-of-a-kind upcycled souvenir, made from 100% waste PET bottle caps collected from households, beaches and schools in Karatsu, Japan. The beach-collected portion is ocean plastic. While it is a sustainable product at heart, it also carries a quiet visual beauty: muted, marbled color tones that mass-produced goods can never reproduce.
Our whales have already crossed the ocean — the United States, Korea, Taiwan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Australia and the Netherlands. Born from the sea and daily life of Karatsu, each whale has found a quiet home in someone's palm, somewhere in the world.
No two whales share the same color, and no two share the same pattern. Each one is truly unique — which is why the time you spend choosing a whale for someone is already part of the gift itself.
The story of the Traveling Whale
A small whale that fits in your palm — yet it has already made a long journey, and is about to set out on the next one.
The first journey is the journey of the material.
Bottle caps from households. Caps washed ashore by the waves. Caps gathered by children at school. From scattered places and scattered moments, they all arrive at Precious Plastic Karatsu, the small upcycling workshop run by Karatsu Farm & Food — some of them ocean plastic that drifted onto Karatsu's beaches. Washed, shredded, melted: many caps fuse together and are reborn as a single whale.
The second journey is the journey as a souvenir.
Two minutes on foot from JR Karatsu Station, a whale meets its new owner at KARAE SHOP, slips into a travel bag, and heads for an unknown town. The United States, Korea, Taiwan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Australia, the Netherlands — across the ocean, our whales now rest on someone's desk, or in the palm of someone dear.
The other day, a message arrived from the ninth place on that list — the Netherlands:
"pretty 🤩 I treasure the one you gave me. Thank you 🙏🏼"
— from @studiotinypieces, the Netherlands.
Plastic that once washed up on a beach changes its shape in Karatsu and travels on — story and all — into someone's everyday life. That endless circulation is why we call it the Traveling Whale.
Why it makes a meaningful souvenir and gift
1. One of a kind — which means time spent choosing.
Ordinary souvenirs line up identical designs in large numbers. The whale is designed the opposite way: every color and pattern is different, so you naturally spend time choosing the one that suits the person you are giving it to. The moment you think "this one is so them" — the gift has already begun.
2. You give the story along with it.
The ocean plastic problem, the town of Karatsu, and a one-of-a-kind piece born from waste material — three stories packed into a single keychain. Just saying "this is made from bottle caps" turns a souvenir into the start of a conversation.
3. Light, compact, unbreakable, airline-friendly.
At around 10 grams, made of durable recycled plastic, it suits both carry-on luggage and international mail. Many visitors buy several at once — for family, colleagues and friends.
Where to find the Traveling Whale
In Karatsu: KARAE SHOP (Kyomachi, 2 min from JR Karatsu Station)
The whales are sold at KARAE SHOP, inside the KARAE complex (1F, Kyomachi 1783) in the heart of Karatsu's sightseeing area, just 2 minutes on foot from JR Karatsu Station. Open 10:00–18:00. The shop sits in the Kyomachi shopping street — the venue area of the annual Karatsu Yakimon Matsuri pottery festival held every Golden Week — so you can drop by between visiting Karatsu Castle and exploring the town's 400-year-old Karatsu-yaki pottery tradition. Two crafts born in the same town, four centuries apart, share one streetscape.
Online: Precious Plastic Japan store
If you cannot make it to Karatsu, or would like international shipping, the whales are available at the Precious Plastic Japan online store.
For supporters in Japan: hometown tax donation (Furusato Nozei)
Residents of Japan can also receive the whale through the Furusato Nozei hometown tax donation program (Japanese), supporting Karatsu's ocean and environmental education while receiving tax benefits.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy the Traveling Whale in Karatsu?
At KARAE SHOP (Kyomachi 1783, open 10:00–18:00), inside the KARAE complex, 2 minutes on foot from JR Karatsu Station. Online, the whales are available through the Precious Plastic Japan store, which also handles international orders.
Why is it called the "Traveling Whale"?
Because each whale makes two journeys. First, the journey of the material: bottle caps from households, beaches and schools travel to Precious Plastic Karatsu and are reborn as a whale. Second, the journey as a souvenir: buyers carry and send the whales to family and friends abroad — so far to the United States, Korea, Taiwan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Australia and the Netherlands. Plastic that once drifted onto a beach changes form in Karatsu and sets out on a new journey connecting people.
Is it really made from ocean plastic?
The whale is made from 100% waste PET bottle caps collected in and around Karatsu — from households, beaches and schools. The portion collected on beaches is ocean plastic that drifted ashore. All caps are washed, shredded and injection-molded at Precious Plastic Karatsu, one whale at a time.
Can I send it overseas as a gift?
Yes. Weighing around 10 grams, small and unbreakable, the whale suits international mail well. The ocean plastic problem is a shared global theme, and the story of a whale made by a local Japanese NPO from material gathered on its own coastline crosses borders easily.
How are the proceeds used?
Part of the proceeds supports beach cleanups in Karatsu, the collection–washing–shredding–molding process itself, conservation of the Yokomakura nature coexistence site (certified by Japan's Ministry of the Environment — the first such site in Saga Prefecture), and collaborative ESD environmental education programs with Karatsu Minami High School. Buying a souvenir directly supports Karatsu's ocean, forests and education.
Related pages
▶ Precious Plastic Karatsu — our plastic upcycling hub (English)
▶ About Karatsu Farm & Food (English)
▶ 日本語版：唐津のお土産に、旅するクジラを
▶ KARAE SHOP official site
▶ Precious Plastic Japan online store
Contact
We welcome inquiries about personal gifts, international shipping, corporate CSR / novelty use, and stocking the whales at hotels, ryokan and tourist facilities.
Customer voices
Japan trip (Male | 30s | California, USA)
Rating: 5.0
Just got back to California from my Japan trip. I bought 4 whales at KARAE SHOP — one for me, one for my wife, and two for my kids. My daughter (8) keeps asking "is this whale really made from bottle caps??" She loves it. The story behind these is what makes them special. Best souvenir from our entire trip honestly.
Ocean stuff (Female | 30s | Seoul, Korea)
Rating: 5.0
From Seoul. I bought one for my best friend's birthday. She loves whales and ocean stuff. When I told her it's made from plastic bottle caps from Karatsu beach, she actually cried. Such a meaningful gift. Will visit again next year!
KARAE SHOP again (Female | 30s | Taipei, Taiwan)
Rating: 5.0
Came back to Karatsu from Taipei this April just to visit KARAE SHOP again. Last year I bought one whale for myself, this time I bought 6 for my colleagues at the marine conservation NGO I work with. They've all been asking where I got mine ever since. Honestly your project is inspiring people on the other side of the ocean. Keep going!